I felt off kilter and wondered aloud what was happening to me. Normally my head was much more level, and I didn’t like the effect a simple smile could have on my entire being. Shaking my head vigorously, I sat up straight, belted myself in, and backed out of my spot. I felt flustered and mad at myself the entire drive home. A guy was nothing to come unhinged about, especially that guy! Although, I did have to admit that he had redeemed himself minutely in my eyes, no matter how much I would have rather thought him a total and complete jerk.
My junior year began like every other, except I was now being prepared for my first Guide-related responsibility. My first Tourist. I was fairly sure of my abilities now and knew I could learn no more without actually taking on my first charge, whenever that would be. Aunt Lucie and my mom were very supportive and gave me pep talks regularly.
Mercifully, my homework was so easy I was finishing it within an hour of being home. On the down side, that gave me far too much free time in the evenings to contemplate my future.
Will had saved enough money over the summer and had bought himself a car; we traded off driving to save gas. He was still my guiding light in the fog, and I loved him more for it every day. The one major development in our friendship was his new girlfriend, his first girlfriend, Emma.
Emma Jorkins was an unusually nice and very pretty member of the populazzi who had taken a fancy to Will over the summer. They both worked at the grocery store and had flirted away until she finally plucked up the courage and asked him out on a date. I was very happy for him and she was very kind about our friendship. She had started waiting for us in the parking lot every day. It was quite humorous to see Miss Lacy Bleu, queen bee of the in-crowd, get her panties in a bunch over it, but Emma paid her no mind. Her eyes and heart were reserved for my best friend, and her popularity didn’t seem to matter anymore. The longer she was around me, the more relaxed she seemed. It was nice to have another person treat me like a normal human being rather than a fungus.
Weeks passed quickly and soon it was time for my birthday again. My family had collectively decided to throw a big Halloween party this year to celebrate my aunt moving to our little piece of the world, Council Grove. She and my mom had recently gone to Texas to pack up her house there. They filled the largest moving truck ever made and brought it all back. The house she bought in Council Grove was old and in rough shape, but she had hired a crew to renovate it. They were restoring it back to its one-hundred-year-old charm. She intended to use the bottom floor as a gallery, opening the living room and parlor up into one large space. Keeping the kitchen and dining room on the lower floor, she decided to move the rest of her living space upstairs, where she added on a parlor. This was where she kept me busy unpacking the entire week before my birthday.
I hadn’t taken much notice of the date until Aunt Lucie swept into the spare room I was arranging for her. She was in a deep green velvet Scarlett O’Hara-inspired gown, complete with large golden tassels hanging from a thick rope of shiny golden cord around her waist. Leave it to my aunt to choose the dress that was once drapery. “Do you like? I thought it would be fun for the Halloween party tomorrow night,” she said, spinning in circles like a little girl.
“Oh crap, I totally forgot about that.” Yanking off my stocking cap and rubbing my head, I sighed. “I need to get going so I can scrounge something up. Can you handle the rest of the room?”
“Don’t worry about a costume. I picked up a couple because I couldn’t decide what I wanted to be. You want to come have a look at what I have left?”
“Sure. I don’t really care what I go as. Do you have a Banshee costume?” a giggle escaped from my lips as I said “Banshee,” a moniker given to my kind a few hundred years back.
Aunt Lucie looked at me, her hand on her hip and said, “You think you’re funny, don’t you?” She cocked her brow and tried to hold onto her frown but gave up and laughed at me. “And to answer your question, no Banshee costume this year, my dear. You’ll have to settle for a literary character.”
We walked down the hall to her “closet,” which was actually one of the four bedrooms that she had decided to convert into a walk-in closet. When we entered, I immediately noticed a rack of ornately designed gowns in the middle of the room. “Are these the leftovers?” I blanched. It was difficult to keep myself from laughing at the ridiculousness of the opulence dripping from the rack.
“Yep.” She thumbed through the hangers. “Let’s see, you need something completely different. How about this?” She held up the most absurd-looking dress I had ever seen.
The ensemble looked like it belonged to one of Marie Antoinette’s ladies in waiting; either that or the dress needed a shepherd’s crook, making it the most extravagant Little Bo Peep costume ever! The end of the three-quarter-length sleeves were finished in lace and the entire outfit was made of a brocade fabric. The hips jutted out on either side, making it impossible to walk through a doorway without turning sideways. The neckline plunged to a depth that would surely make my father blow steam from his ears, especially given the fact that the dress included a corset meant to push up your bosom to nearly meet your chin. As soon as she held up the giant white wig, I lost it.
“Seriously? No. First, we’ll be outside and I don’t intend to freeze, and second, that thing is just plain ridiculous. Jeez, Aunt Lucie, what were you thinking?” I choked.
“What about this? I’m afraid all of my costumes are dressy, but you don’t have time to find anything else. You’ll look like you stepped right out of an Austen novel.” She threw a simple but beautiful Regency-style dress in my arms and shoved me toward the back of the room. I changed out of my grubby jeans and T-shirt, throwing them on the floor beside the huge mirror. Gently, I lifted the dress from the chair I had set it on, noting that it was more than just the dress. There was an under dress, sort of like a slip only more substantial. The silver silk dress had a deep green brocade pelisse that went on top, like a lightweight coat, and hung to just past the knee. The finishing touch was a simple headband that seemed to be Greek inspired. As I assembled the costume, I realized that it would be fitting for me to go as one of my favorite authors given that I had taken to spending any free time I had immersed in a book, my favorite was anything by Jane Austen’s.
“How do I look?” I spun around feeling like a little girl.
“Fabulous! I have some slippers you can use as well. Now, take it all off and come to my room. I want to give you your birthday present a bit early. It will look spectacular with that outfit.” She turned on her heel and skipped out of the room looking a bit like a deranged fairy godmother.
After changing back into my jeans, I walked to her room, trying to mimic her bouncy step but only succeeding in feeling like a marionette dangling from tangled strings. I continued to follow until she opened her bedroom door and waved me to the bed. “Now, close your eyes!” she said with so much enthusiasm I almost considered peeking. I heard a faint jingle and a whisper of chain before I felt her put the necklace around my neck. “Open them!” she squealed. I was much too excited to do otherwise.
I paused as she handed me the mirror. I could not believe the stunning object hanging around my neck. It was a round pendant, which appeared to be made of silver with a tree trunk forming both the roots and the branches of a tree. They twisted and curled around to touch one another, forming a circle that resembled a Celtic knot. At the base of the tree, there was one single stone. It was purple around the edge and faded to a light blue at the center. As I gazed at it, I realized it reminded me of my eyes. Amazing. The leaves on the tree were tiny emeralds and the detail on the entire piece was spectacular.
Noting the time on the clock, I realized I had been staring in the mirror for more than five minutes while my aunt waited patiently for me to say something. “Aunt Lucie, this...” Turning, I gazed at her and tried to hold back the tears forming in the corners of my eyes. “This is amazing.
It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Thank you so much, I’ll treasure it forever.”
“Before you get too gushy, you should know it isn’t new but is a piece of who we are. I had a new one made for myself a year ago because I wanted to pass this one to you. There is an inscription on the back.” She turned the pendant around and read the inscription to me as I continued to stare.
“Life ~ Wisdom ~ Hope ~ Death... Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a n-anama. It means ‘May the light of Heaven shine on their souls.’ ” She showed me how the individual words formed a circle around the edge of the pendant, the words life and death meeting each other with the quote in the middle.
“You need to get home. I think Moira wanted to start cooking for the party tonight, and I have to finish unpacking. I love you and can’t wait to see how completely gorgeous you are in that dress.” She leaned in and kissed my forehead then twirled me around and pushed me toward the door.
“Thanks again, Aunt Lucie. I love the necklace.” I grabbed the dress and my bag and walked down the stairs, my hand on the pendant the entire walk to my car.
The trip home was the same familiar route I had taken for eons, but I was more aware of everything this time. The sun lit up the few trees in magnificent crimson and burnished gold. The tall prairie grass waved gently in the breeze, a field of blazing of amber. The cloudless sky was the most intense blue I had remember ever having gazed at. It was eerie but perfectly comfortable at the same time.
Pulling into our crunchy gravel driveway, I parked on the grass in front of the house; the preparations for the party were well underway, and I didn’t want to block anyone in. I took my things into the house, walking quickly up the stairs to my room to avoid my mom so that my costume would be a complete surprise. I had a lot to do tonight, so I hung the dress up carefully in my cramped closet and laid the matching shoes and my bag on my bed. Running down the steps nearly as fast as I had bounded up them, I hurried into the kitchen to see my mom elbow-deep in bread dough.
“Hey, you look like you could use some help. What do you want me to do?” I grabbed my personal—but extremely—grubby apron and put it on.
“Ahhh, sweets, I am so glad you are here. The ham is almost...” She didn’t have time to finish her statement before the oven timer went off. I grabbed some oven mitts and took out the delicious-smelling ham that lay within.
“Oh, Mom, this smells incredible! I can’t wait for tomorrow night.” I crooned, setting the ham on the only available space left. I reached for the flour and butter that sat on the counter.
Mom finished kneading and forming the dough into loaves for its final rise before baking and came to stand by me. I started preparing the dough for the three or four pies we would likely have tomorrow. Mom put her arm around my waist and took a deep breath. “So, are you ready to turn seventeen on Sunday? I still remember when they put you in my arms, and I couldn’t believe how blessed I was to have five healthy children.” She shook her head and smiled, turning to look at me. “It was quite a relief to know they wouldn’t all be boys! My little flower, my little shining light. You were the most beautiful baby in the world.” Her eyes became misty and warm with memories. “And now look at you! Taking on the responsibilities that you are. I am so proud of you, Catherine. So proud...”
“Thanks, Mom. The last year has been a bit tough, but I think I understand what you meant about feeling proud of my duty as a Guide... my destiny, really.” I let my smile speak for me and continued forming the dough into balls.
“Well, there you have it... enough pie crust for four pies.” I handed her the dough, trying to casually wipe away the one pesky tear that had escaped my eye during her reverie. “I know it’s not too late, but I really am tired. Would you mind if I go to bed? I can stay up and help if you need me to, though.”
“No, no. Go to bed, love, and get a wonderful sleep. We’ll have plenty to do tomorrow.” She hugged me and patted my back, then I walked out of the kitchen.
I really was quite tired. Helping Aunt Lucie move into her house and the realization that the party was tomorrow and my birthday the day after had knocked all the energy out of me at once. I changed into my pajamas, which consisted of one of the two pairs of fleece pants I had and a white T-shirt, before lying down on my bed. I fell asleep almost immediately. The next thing I knew, my alarm was going off and the aroma of smoky bacon and fresh biscuits filled my room, helping me wake a little faster and setting off growls of hunger in my stomach. I was hungry!
After breakfast I wandered from person to person offering my help in setting up for the evenings party. Every time I was turned away with the excuse that I’d done plenty through the week and should go rest. I didn’t complain; on the contrary, I was more than happy to oblige. Spending most of the day in my room, I cycled between sleeping and reading until around four o’clock. The party was supposed begin at six, so I thought it was about time to get ready. I wanted to surprise my family by actually taking time to look my best. Besides, I couldn’t put Jane Austen’s name to shame by looking like I had just rolled out of bed and slapped on that amazing dress.
I showered, enjoying the fact that no one had bothered me. I decided to go all out and use hot rollers to give my hair some body, and then I did my best at improvising an up-do. I even applied a little makeup before putting my dress on. Finally, I added the finishing touch: my amazing necklace. Aunt Lucie was right, it truly made my outfit. By the time I was finished it was a quarter to six.
I was making my way down the stairs when my mother called to me from her room. My mother gasped as I walked into her room. “Oh, love! As your mother, I have always thought you beautiful but tonight you are truly a butterfly emerging from your cocoon.” She stepped forward and gave me a hug befitting an Irish mother: strong, gentle, and warm... very, very warm. “That necklace is new. Was that Lucie’s gift to you?”
“Yes, it’s part of our heritage as Guides,” I explained as she turned the pendant over in her long fingers. “Do you know what the inscription says?”
“I do. That is the loveliest gift I have ever seen. I also have a hand-me-down gift for you this year, if you don’t mind. I always buy you something, but on my seventeenth birthday your gran gave this to me, and I want you to have it now,” she said as she reached around me to her dresser and grabbed a small white box.
Opening it, I saw the daintiest gold ring with a scrolling design and a beautiful pearl in the center. “Thank you, Mom. It’s beautiful. Now I have two keepsakes to take with me to remind me of everyone I love no matter where I am in the world. I love you,” I managed to say between tears.
“Now, now, sweets, don’t cry. You’ll ruin your beautiful face. Let’s get ready to go down now. Everything is all set up and people should be arriving soon.” She dabbed my tears with the hankie from her sleeve—she was dressed as a pioneer woman—and guided me by the small of my back out the door and down the stairs.
I noticed that there was no one in the house as we made our way through the kitchen and into the back yard. When I stepped through the door, I was transported to a world very different from the one I lived in daily. The decorations were amazing. There were fairy lights hanging from the larger trees and strung all over the bushes and Chinese lanterns hanging from the clothesline and anything else tall enough to put them. Four large tables were covered in food: pumpkins, apples, hay bales, and... what the heck? Gifts?
“Mom, what are the gifts for?” Just as I spoke, there was a huge ruckus from the old barn as fifty people in costume tried to jump out all at once, all the while yelling, “Surprise!”
“Darling, happy birthday! This was Will and Emma’s idea and the rest of us thought it was brilliant. So here you go—an honest to goodness birthday party.” Mom said and then gave me a quick squeeze around the waist before everyone started coming up to me with birthday wishes.
I was completely flabbergasted. When
I finally made my way to Will and Emma, not only did I give them a hug but a nice sock in the arm. “You could’ve warned me!” I tried to sound upset, but the cheesy smile on my face gave me away.
“That would have ruined it. There will be more kids showing up from school, too. I’ve had some talks with people, explaining that if they don’t like you then they don’t like me. Some of my better friends want to give you a chance,” Emma said. She didn’t mean to sound condescending. I knew that her heart was in the right place. “By the way, Cat, you look amazing. I always figured you had it in you, but wow!”
“Why thank you, dear Emma. You two make a fetching couple. Who are you supposed to be?”
Will finally spoke up. “Well, Bonnie and Clyde of course. We left our Tommy guns in the car, but now that the surprise is over, I’m going to get them. And I agree with Emma, bada-bing, my friend. You look hot!” He shot Emma a sweet smile as if to say, ‘But you are the only one I see,’ and then walked toward his car.
“Well, I’d better go make my rounds. Thank you both for this, I’ve never had a real birthday party, and this has got to be the best one ever thrown.” I gave Emma a hug and squeezed her hand before turning and running face to chest into Zane Laroche!
Now whose idiotic idea was it to invite him?
“Ow! Haven’t you heard of personal space?” I moaned, reaching for my sore nose. It would be permanently bent after running into his well-muscled chest.
“Catherine!” He grabbed my shoulders to steady me as he stepped back and peered down at me with kind eyes and a furrowed brow. “I’m, sorry. I can’t seem to do anything right. I was trying to be all nice and gentlemanly, and I end up looking like an idiot.”
I thought he was going to turn and stomp away, but he waited for my response. His kind eyes took on a heated look as he stared at me in the most unusual way. I almost felt indecent standing in front of him with his eyes surveying my body from the ground up and then back again.
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