Balancer's Soul

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

Passed and Failed

  Early the next morning Sarah dimly felt Conner get out of bed and head into the shower. She still felt half asleep as she thought just how wonderful her life has become since he came into it. Three hundred years of waiting for The One was worth all the loneliness and solitude. He is the perfect fit.

  When she heard the shower cut off Sarah reluctantly pulled herself out of bed and put on one of his t-shirts. They were so comfortable and fit almost like a dress as they reached all the way down to her knees. Her favorite thing about his shirts were the lingering smell that permeated his tops. It always lifted her spirits. Sarah opened the door and as her Greek God stood before her completely cleaned up she noticed something as he dried his hair with another towel.

  His underarms were barren.

  Sarah grabbed the towel from around his waist and ripped it off. She looked back at his face and saw his goofy grin. “What’s on your mind this morning?” He said playfully as he arched one hopeful eyebrow.

  “Connor, all of your hair is gone!” She said astonishingly and he instantly grabbed a handful of his hair on his head.

  She almost laughed, but bit her lower lip.

  “Quit teasing, it’s all still up there.”

  She shook her head and pointed below his waist line. “Not down there!”

  He looked down. “Well what do you know? I am a Balancer!” His goofy grin came back as he shrugged off the importance of what she was getting at. Last night she didn’t remember if he still had body hair, but he definitely had some a week ago…

  Connor sensed her distress, leaned down and kissed her head again and she momentarily lost her senses and he took the moment of hesitation to take the towel back from her hand. He then started drying his desolate back of knotted muscle.

  Sarah left their room and took a quick shower and met Connor for breakfast after she put on the light blue dress, the one she wore at their little wedding in the woods and his favorite to stare at. They ate a carton of eggs and each ate a half pound of bacon along with a bowl of mixed fruit.

  As they left their home Sarah looked to the east and the sky started to finally brighten. Connor and Sarah separated when they hit the tree line of her parent’s property. He ran across the street to Jenny’s house to get ready. All of the lights in their house were on and that told Sarah that Kara is also awake and getting ready for the big day. As Connor went through the front door of his mother’s home Sarah went inside her parent’s.

  They weren’t ready…

  As Sarah entered the house she noticed her parents were still fast asleep and knew the perfect way to wake both of them.

  Walking into the kitchen Sarah opened up the refrigerator. She took out some milk and the carton of eggs. She opened up the cabinet and grabbed the powdered cinnamon canister and two full loaves of sliced white bread. After filling up a mixing bowl with some of the milk she added the cinnamon and six eggs.

  Heating the skillet on the stove Sarah mixed the cinnamon, eggs and milk together. She grabbed two slices of bread and dunked each slice in the mixing bowl. As she threw the slices on the pan she went into the pantry to grab the maple syrup. At the coffee table she laid two empty plates and two knives with two forks on the wooden surface. And with the remaining milk she poured four full glasses.

  Cooking the tenth slice of French toast allowed its scent to permeate through the entire house. As it has worked countless times before Sarah heard someone stumble out of bed and hit the floor; hard. “Damn!” She knew exactly who fell out of bed and it was her mother. Sarah heard her scramble back up to her feet and run to the door and opened it. She almost carried a breeze as she ran and sat down at the coffee table holding a knife and fork at the ready. “French toast! My favorite!”

  As she came around the corner Sarah finally saw her mother’s condition and almost lost it.

  Her mother wore her usual red morning robe, but Sarah couldn’t restrain herself from laughing for long. Jillian’s forehead beamed bright red from where she fell out of bed and painfully hit her head. A bright red mark was forming on her creamy forehead and as Sarah calmed her laughing fit she sat the plate of cooked toast down and asked “How did you like your wakeup call?”

  “It was perfect until I tripped over the damned bed sheets.” Jillian started rubbing her forehead absently. “What’s the occasion?”

  Jack came down the hall wearing his black sweat pants at the right time. Sarah answered them at the same time as her father sat next to his mate. “Today is Connor’s, Kara’s and Mark’s graduation and it starts at ten.” Her parents each had a mouthful as she told them.

  “Sorry, but you didn’t tell us what day it was being held, let alone the time we had to be there.” Her father said and as Sarah looked back in her mind, recalling the previous night, she understood why they weren’t ready. So it really wasn’t their fault.

  It was hers and Connor’s.

  After they ate both loaves of the homemade French Toast Sarah casually asked her father a question as he began drinking the last of his milk. “Father, how long did it take for you to lose all of your excess body hair?” He choked as he tried swallowing and even her mother was stunned by the innocent question.

  When he could breathe easily again, and after Jillian patted his back, she walked away to take a shower and gave them some privacy. Her father pulled his silver hair over his shoulder as he looked Sarah directly in the eye. His tone became calm and even as he asked “Of what importance is that question regarding?”

  “This morning I noticed that Connor didn’t have any hair. He now looks like a pro swimmer on steroids.” She admitted uneasily while looking at a curious speck of dirt on the floor.

  Jack chuckled and her head snapped up at the reaction to see his playful grin that Connor miraculously brought back to life after nearly four hundred years. “Sarah, it usually takes up to a year, but it took me about four months to lose all of mine. My people didn’t have as much as the English…” He tilted his head to the side in consideration. “Plus you don’t need to worry about that because we all know how special the two of you are. A little hair never hurt anyone…” He started to chuckle. “Unless you count the time I accidently lit the butcher’s hair on fire. It really was his fault since he made a pass at your mother.” And Sarah finally smiled with relief from her father’s renewed antics. He was always a kinder person with his mate nearby.

  Sarah cleaned up the dishes and her father showered after her mother stepped out. They came out of their room together and they looked dashing.

  Jack wore a silver shirt that tucked neatly into his black pants. He attired a classy belt and his brown and black shoes were brand new. Sarah’s father has always had sharp, handsome features, but now he looked exquisite. His long mane of silver hair was freshly brushed as it flowed down to his shoulder blades like a waterfall. “Well how do I look?” Sarah gave him two thumbs up like an idiot.

  Jillian wore a thin, elegant and beautiful red dress that hung to every one of her luscious curves. It hung as long as a skirt that reached her knees, but it had a slit on the right side that ran up to the top of her hip. A low neckline emphasized her ample cleavage and the dress even exposed her upper back. Two strings were wrapped at the back of her neck to keep her dress in the right place. Even her thick hair sat perfect and straight as it draped down to the bottom of her shoulder blades. She wore ruby red high heels and matching lipstick. “And how do I?”

  “Unfair.” Sarah whispered under her breath and then shook her head at the injustice of the world. “I only look like this.” She used her hands to show what she wore and then gestured what they were wearing. “Mother, your beauty is bordering on unnatural.” She just grinned and Sarah asked “What?”

  “My dear daughter, you are sooo barking up the wrong tree.” Jillian looked at her sincerely. “Sarah, you don’t need any look modifications. You have a natural beauty that can’t be matched, you’ve just never had the opportunity or the will to show it. Why do you think your new
mate can’t keep his eyes from wandering in your direction with your every motion?” Her mother bent over in a bow, exposing her ample bosom to fix the strap of her high heel. “The first day I met Connor at his house, I realized his eyes were focused only on my face. Usually all males either glance or stare at a woman’s breasts or bottom, but your new husband never been simply the usual type, now has he?”

  “No, he never has seemed usual.” and Sarah began laughing silently. “Especially as a Balancer, he is definitely one of a kind.” Jillian shook her head slowly and lifted two fingers, adding Sarah with him. She smiled at her beautiful mother and her relaxed nature.

  After everything was finally cleared and ready as they walked across the street. Sarah knocked on the front door and Kara answered.

  She wore a pink dress that fit her athletic and buoyant personality. The dress passed her knees and a slit of her dress came up to her mid-thigh. The stylish dress complimented her curves well, but wasn’t as clingy as Sarah’s mother’s red dress. Her sandy blonde hair remained wrapped up in curlers and the makeup she wore was already applied. She was a beautiful sight. Light pink lipstick emphasized her pouty lips and turquoise blue eyeliner made her chocolate irises stand out. And she even did her lashes because they were full and beautiful. Her finger and toenails were even painted deep pink.

  “Good morning, Sarah! You look pretty this morning.” She chirped. She looked passed Sarah. “Hello Mr. Branderson.” Her head turned and she finally saw Jillian’s dress. Kara’s eyes widened and Sarah knew exactly what was about to happen. “Here it comes.” “Jillian! What’s holding that dress on? Duct tape or Super glue?” Jack started laughing, hard. But Kara continued being unrestrained. “Be careful because our graduation will be held outside on the school’s Football fields. One good breeze and Whoosh you’ll be stark naked in a school full of horny idiots.” She suddenly changed to a different mental channel and looked at Sarah. She instantly said “Come on in, we’ll get ready to leave in an hour.” “Ahh… Kara your brother gave you a good reference of being similar to a Jack Rustle Terrier.”

  They all followed Kara inside and sat down on the couch. Jack picked up the remote and turned to Sports Center.

  Jenny walked in the room a few minutes later dressed similar to Sarah. She wore a simple light brown dress. She wasn’t wearing any makeup, but like Jillian said to Sarah earlier, she had a natural beauty as well. “Would you all like anything to eat?” She tossed her wavy golden hair back across her shoulder.

  “No thank you. We just ate, but thanks for offering.” Jillian said. Jenny caught the dress Jillian wore and she smiled in a way that said ‘Showoff.’ She then went down the hallway to Connor’s old room silently.

  Ten minutes later Sarah smelled her favorite male scent, but didn’t hear a single sound from his approach. She spun on the sofa to look for Connor. When she saw him he took her breath away. He had changed clothes.

  Connor stood before her in a black on black tuxedo that had to be custom made for they couldn’t possibly make it in his size to be simply rented. “Surprise!” His smile brightened her mood instantly. He spun on one heel to show his every angle. His pants were pressed as well were his sleeves. He didn’t have any shoulder pads and they weren’t required because of his wide shoulders. His shoes were of polished black leather and he didn’t wear a tie because he once told her ‘You should never have anything around your neck just incase someone could strangle you with it.’

  Sarah stood up and whistled. “Hubba! Hubba!” She said in honesty.

  “Do you like it?” He smiled her smile.

  Sarah leaned back from where she stood to see every angle “Oh Yeah!” and her mother looked at the two of them and smiled. Sarah didn’t need to read her mind to know what she was thinking.

  Someone knocked on the door and Sarah answered it for Connor because she was closer. “Good morning Mark, how are you?”

  “I’m really good!” And he spun in a circle, showing off his tuxedo.

  “Come in, Connor’s going to enjoy this.” she smiled and let him in.

  Connor came out of the kitchen as Mark and Sarah came into the living room with the new guest. Connor started laughing first, followed by Mark who caught on quick. They bumped fists like usual.

  Mark’s tuxedo was silver on silver and he even matched down to his silver shoes. His spiky, jet black hair made the perfect contrast to the tux. Plus his silver eyes shone like his suit. Connor stepped behind Mark and they really did have the same build only on a different size and frame. Their contrast was shocking with Mark’s silver tuxedo in the fore and Connor’s massive black background. It was picture worthy.

  Kara finally stepped out of her room, looking very pretty. Her hair curlers did their job because her hair tumbled on her shoulders and bounced with the curls. As she took each step in her white high heels she stopped cold when she saw Mark in his tux. She then looked at her brother. “Wait right there!” She ordered to the two gentlemen. She reentered the living room with a digital camera a few seconds later. “Brother, you need to go over there and stand behind Mark.” He did as ordered. “Mark, hold your hands in front casually. Brother put your hands behind your back. Lower your jaw a bit. Mark, twist your shoulders just a bit clockwise… Good… Good… Hold it… Perfect!” Her camera flashed. She hit a few buttons on the camera. “Sarah, come over here and take a look at this!”

  She walked over and Kara revealed the exact picture she had in her mind. “Princess, how did it come out?” Sarah felt the calm, familiar touch of her mate’s mind.

  “Like she said Perfect!” She looked up to see him smile as he left the room while being followed by Mark whining “Buddy, I’m hungry.”

  Kara heard the remark and walked into the kitchen quickly and her shoes echoed with every step on the hardwood flooring. Sarah was curious so she followed them as well. Kara threw a few pastries in the toaster and when cooked she handed them over to Mark with a glass of milk. “Thank you.” He said and started eating while they chatted idly.

  Thirty minutes later Connor’s grandparents showed up. “Where is my new granddaughter hiding?” Rhoda called from the living room.

  “She’s in here, Grandma!” Kara called back, radioing her location.

  David and Rhoda walked into the kitchen and everyone received a hug from both of them. “Well how’s married life treating you, Sweetheart?” David asked nicely, not knowing she hated endearments.

  “No regrets, Granddaddy!” Sarah smiled at him to keep up pretenses.

  “Give it time!” He started chuckling until Rhoda hit the back of his head.

  “Don’t put any ideas in her head, Dear.” She rebuked and then grinned mischievously, exactly like Kara. “That’s my job.”

  Two hours before the graduation ceremony, they all loaded up in the vehicles and drove to school. Connor drove Sarah’s car with her riding shotgun. Kara and Mark were quietly sitting in the back, holding hands. The trunk held all of their cap and gowns. Jillian and Jack followed in her red sports car. Jenny and her parents rode in her Honda.

  They arrived at school and he parked her car in the faculty parking.