Bella Notte (28 page)

“
Come on, Em.”
He smiled a crooked smile and held out his hand.

I took it and forced
a smile. A small voice in my head was talking to me.
Dom
would've known which film … and he'd know that smile is fake.

But I wasn't with
Dom, I was with Mike, and so I sat through hours of a guy fighting
against his own.
Gee,
what fun!
Even my inner voice was dripping with sarcasm.

By the end of the
movie I wanted to stake myself. Mike didn't notice anything.

“
So, I loved
that movie! Showed those stupid vampires who was boss, huh?” He
beamed with excitement.

“
Yeah, I guess
he did.” I felt bored.

“
You wanna get
some pizza?” He was looking at our little pizza place across
the street.
Sure
didn't compare anything to Italian pizza.

“
Sure,”
I answered as I looked longingly at the poster for
Casablanca
.

We crossed the
street and didn't say much through the pizza. I watched Mike behind
eyes that didn't know him. I felt like I was shattering.
Who's
this guy and where did my Mike go?
I knew that the confusion that generally haunted me was suddenly
amplified.

“
So, how is
Acacia?” I wanted to know how he'd react- if he was hiding
something. It was something I had read about in some chick magazine.

“
Huh.”
He looked like he was caught doing something.

“
She's fine.
She spent yesterday with us.”

Clearly he had been
thinking about her.

“
How's
Dominic?” he replied.

“
He's fine.
Working on his nightclub business stuff today,” I said without
changing my tone.

“
He has a
nightclub?” The shock was clear.

“
A chain
actually. He's currently having seven more opened in major European
cities.” I felt proud of Dominic and what he was trying to
accomplish.

“
Wow! That's
intense. He's like only eighteen, right?”

I could feel the
resentment coming off of him. I couldn't understand it because Mike
was so talented.

“
Yeah. His
birthday is New Year's day,” I said as I thought back to when
we were kids.

“
Neat way to
bring in the year, I guess.” And with that we fell into an
uneasy silence.

We spent a couple of
hours at the pizzeria. Mike asked if we could hang out again on
Saturday. I mentioned how there was supposed to be a comet passing
that we could see from here. He said we should all hang out that day-
by all he meant Acacia and Dominic as well. I agreed and he dropped
me off at home around four thirty.

I found Grandpa and
Grandma setting up a game of chess. I wandered in and sat down to
watch. They looked at each other like they were discussing something.

“
How was your
date with that Michael boy?” my grandma asked in a causal tone.
Odd,
generally it's Grandpa that tries to keep up with my life.

“
It was okay,
Grandmama.” The words felt hollow.

“
Oh. It
doesn't sound like it was 'okay.'” Her words were kind.

“
Well, we went
to the movies and I let him pick. I thought he really knew the things
I liked. You know, like there was a connection or something.” I
sighed.
But
we are connected through the dreams, sort of.

“
So, what did
he pick?” Grandpa asked as he moved a pawn.

“
He chose
Blade
!
Can you believe it? I mean I hate those kinds of movies. Not to
mention that
Casablanca
was playing as well.” I huffed.

Another secret
glance.

“
Perhaps he
thought you'd like it for the vampires. You two watch a lot of
monster movies.” I never noticed that Grandma had taken notice
of things- she'd let Grandpa take over things with me a long time
ago.

“
But I'm
always
sympathetic with the
monster
.
Why would he take me to see a film where the whole point is to kill
the monster?” I wanted to cry.

“
Not all
things make sense in love, Child.” Her voice became infinitely
wise as she captured another one of Grandpa's pieces.

“
Maybe it
isn't love,” I blurted out- instantly kicking myself.
I
do love Mike, don't I?

“
What else
could it be, Emma dear?” Grandpa asked with a raised eyebrow.

“
I don't
know,” I sobbed. My nerves were frying.

“
No need to
force an answer.’All things are answered in their own time.'”
Where
did all her wisdom come from?

They let the silence
envelope us as they continued to play their game and I watched. Well,
I didn't really watch- merely stared as I searched for some kind of
answers. And that was how my day passed.

The next days passed
quickly with my mind in constant motion. Dom called to let me know he
had to continue his work longer than he had expected but he'd be
there for sure for the comet. I was left alone again. Grandpa and
Grandma played more chess and I watched. They tried hard not to ask
me any questions. Mom and Dad left for another business trip- this
time to California. I vaguely wanted to go. I knew I needed the time
to think, so that's what I did for two days. I thought. In the end, I
still knew nothing.

Saturday came and
brought a cloudless sky.
Perfect
for seeing a comet tonight.

Dominic showed up at
two in the afternoon and we had lunch together and he told me about
how the plans for the Bella Notte clubs were going. It was exciting
to hear about all the progress that was happening. He asked my
opinion about color schemes and decor. I answered the best I could as
I had never been to most of the places where he was building them. He
said we'd have to change that. It was a nice afternoon and I enjoyed
Dom's company. We could sit and be silent or have a highly animated
conversation.

The sky had turned
dark when the doorbell rang. Dominic went to get it as I went to get
a sweater. I grabbed a blue sweater from my closet and quickly tidied
up my room.
I
so
don't want her to be able to say anything nasty.
I went downstairs and found that they didn't want to come in. I was
confused.

“
Why don't you
guys want to come in?” I asked.

“
Eh …”
Mike was lost for words.

“
Acacia
doesn't feel welcome without meeting your parents. Since they're in
California right now, she won't come in.” Dominic saved them.

What's going on?

“
That is
right. I'm sorry, Emma. It was how I was raised,” Acacia said
as she stepped back a bit.

“
Well, okay.
Dom could you help me get a blanket and some snacks for us? You guys
can find a spot on the driveway grass circle for us,” I said as
I headed toward the kitchen.

“
So, why won't
they come in really?” I asked Dom as I pulled out a picnic
basket.

“
I can't tell
you. One of the many secrets of this house.” He smiled
awkwardly.

I am so tired of
secrets!
“Fine,”
I grumbled. “For now. I will find out though.”

“
That I don't
doubt, my Little Emma Bird,” he said as he took the basket
filled with junk food and the Thermos flasks filled with cocoa.

I grabbed a couple
of blankets and followed him out.

I knew the grass was
cool since the sun had gotten rid of my Christmas snow. Luckily it
wasn't wet. We laid out two of the blankets and sat back to stare at
the sky- Dom on my right, Mike on my left, and Acacia to his left. We
didn't talk much. The chilled night air didn't bother anyone. Dominic
was cool to the touch like me and Mike and Acacia both radiated heat
from their skin.

When the comet came
into view it looked more like a shooting star, but it blazed a trail
across the night sky more slowly. It was absolutely amazing. We all
gasped as we watched the large rock burning through our utmost outer
atmosphere. The tail glowed blue against the pitch black sky. I
smiled knowing that this was wonderful for everyone.

After the sky was
filled with only tiny twinkling stars, we sipped our hot cocoa and
told each other stories. Dominic and I told stories of our childhood.
Mike told stories he had heard from his family.

Acacia told only one
story and it chilled me to the bone, for some reason:

“
It was a dark
night much like this is. A comet had raced through the sky, which
meant the seer would have the greatest vision to tell us.

Our people raced
through the night as though the banshees themselves were after them.
When they made it to the cave on the cliff where the seer lived- they
waited. For two hours they waited. One of the chiefs from a local
tribe decided someone should see what kept the great prophet from
coming. So, he took a man from each tribe- they totaled eight- and
walked up the winding, windblown path, to the mouth of the cave. The
air was filled with frost. They pushed forward carrying only one
torch to guide them. They saw and smelt the blood before they found
the body of the seer- dead. His neck had been ripped out and he
looked completely empty of blood. On the ground next to him were the
writings of his newest vision. The vision told of a new kind of enemy
to come and thirst for blood. The people would evolve to fight this
monster. For long times there would be war, then a momentary peace
would come due to the temporary love of our kind to their queen. She
would stop the fighting. Then our king would be killed by his own
because of his love of her.

Her grief would
cause more wars- amongst each of their own kinds. She would die to
return the balance to peace … and it would last.

The men buried the
body of the seer and told their people the prophecy and it was
learned and feared. But, soon, the enemy did come and wrecked their
towns, killing as they went. The people began to evolve and the war
began. It is said to continue to rage to this very day. They still
seek the queen to bring peace.”

We each sat in
silence. Mike stared at Acacia. She stared back defiantly. Dom looked
at me and I stared at the sky. The story reminded me of the song I
had heard in Bella Notte.
That's
probably where the song came from.

It felt important
but I didn't or couldn't know how. We sat there until it became
colder and later. Mike and Acacia rose and bid us 'Goodnight.' Mike
told me to let him know when I had time to hang out again. Then they
left. Dom and I gathered everything and took it inside.

I didn't want him to
leave.

“
Stay, please.
I don't want to be alone.” It felt like a deep dark confession.

“
If it pleases
you,
mia
bella
.
I will stay. But I must leave early tomorrow. I have things to attend
to. If I stay will you spend New Year's Eve and day with me?”
His eyes lit with the question.

“
If you want
me to spend your birthday with you … of course I will- you
nut.” I smiled at him.

“
Good, because
I already asked your grandpa and he said it was fine. You'll have
lots of fun, I promise.” He was beaming.

“
Thank you for
staying,” I mumbled as I laid down on the couch in the living
room.

“
Thank you for
tonight and agreeing to spend my birthday with me.” He kissed
my hand, took the blankets and then lied down next to the couch. We
talked until I fell asleep.

Dominic was gone by
the time I woke up, stiff from sleeping on the couch, but it didn't
matter. I was glad he stayed and excited about New Year's Eve.
I
wonder what we'll do?