Bella Notte (8 page)

I went to bed
smiling.

The knock at my door
is what finally drew me out of the darkness of sleep. I felt like I
had forgotten something as I stumbled out of my bed.

“
Just a minute
…,” I mumbled as I shifted my pajamas back into their
proper positions.

I turned the knob
and saw the most beautiful blonde man standing there, holding the
deepest red rose I had ever seen.

“
Happy
Birthday, Little Emma Bird.” There was a slight accent to it,
perhaps Italian, but the prefect smile and bright green eyes seemed
familiar.

“
Um ... do I
... know you?” My cheeks flushed from the guilt of forgetting
someone.
Little
Emma Bird. Only one person ever …

“
Wait, you
couldn't be ... Dominic!” I shouted as I gave him a huge hug.

“
Hello, Emma.
It has been awhile. You've grown into such a beautiful woman.”
His smile was perfect but something threw caution at me.

“
Oh my God.
Dominic, I didn't know you guys were coming. Is Isabella here? I'd
love to see her.” I blushed as I realized I was standing in
front of my first love, in my pajamas- without a bra on. Now, mind
you, I was only like four when I decided I was in love with my best
friend's brother, but it didn't matter as they moved back to Europe
that year. I remembered their parents complaining about the trash
moving into town. Who moved here then? Wasn't that the year Mike
moved here ... no, it couldn't be?

“
Principessa
Bella. Isabella isn't here.
There
have been some problems with her and the family.” His lips
turned down as the sadness came through his voice. God, look at those
lips. I shook my head. What the Hell is wrong with me? Have I
completely forgotten about Mike?

“
So, what
happened? Did she do something forbidden?” I waggled my
eyebrows and winked at him, but he didn't smile.

“
Unfortunately,
mia
bella
,
she did do something terrible ... she ran off with some creature and
shamed the family by turning down her betrothed.” The anger
burned fierce in his eyes.

“
Wait ... Issy
was betrothed? Didn't that die out, like in the middle ages?” I
scoffed at the idea that my childhood best friend had been
excommunicated from her family for finding love.

“
Don't make
fun at tradition, Little Emma Bird. You'd be surprised at how much
tradition is invested in your
famiglia
.”
He handed me the rose and with that he walked away.

I thought about
going after him but I needed a shower before I faced any more of this
day.

The shower felt good
and hot. Last night I felt more conscience of the dream. I knew it
would happen the way it did every night, but when I heard the wolf
cry, I tried not to be scared and listen. Nothing changed and I
couldn't change anything. When I had woken up after it, my tears were
fierce. Thinking back on it, I wonder if that was from not having the
ability to change the dream, or from the dream itself. Then thoughts
of Dominic drifted into my mind.
I
wonder what he meant about my family?
Then
it hit me.
Oh
my God!

“
I'm
betrothed!” The words jumped out of my mouth. Suddenly the
shower felt extremely cold.
My
parents would never do such a thing to me
.
But something inside knew different and that scared the Hell out of
me.

I got dressed in my
satin black button-up and black dress pants. I slipped on my black
peek-a-boo pumps. The only color I wore was the blood red fingernail
and toenail polish. The attire was suitable for a funeral, which I
suddenly felt like I was about to attend. I needed to find Grandpa.

I managed to find
him after successfully avoiding everyone in the house. He was on our
tennis court practicing his swing shot. I was extremely lucky this
morning; it would appear that he was alone.

“
Grandpa. I
need to talk to you ...
now
.”
I knew my voice sounded harsh but I also knew he would understand
once I talked to him.

“
Emma, my
sweetheart. I was expecting you after I saw Dominic huff away from
your door this morning.” His voice was gentle and
understanding.

“
I don't know
how you always know these things, but I needed to talk to you about
something he said to me,” I replied as we walked to the edge of
the court to sit down.

He sat and patted
the bench next to him. “Emma, in the next few months you're
going to find out many things you won't like or won't agree with. I
want you to know that I am always here for you to talk to. Now, what
did that boy say that has upset you so?” He smiled and his eyes
twinkled as usual.

I suspected he
already knew what I was going to say but I needed to hear what he
would say.

“
Well, we were
talking about Issy. He mentioned how much trouble she was in for
breaking her betrothal and running off with some guy. Then he implied
that I was betrothed as well after I said that betrothal was so old
school.” My face flushed and I knew I sounded like a little
girl again.

“
I know that
you would like me to tell you that none of it is true, and that he
was trying to upset you- which of course would be a terrible birthday
present. Unfortunately, I cannot. What he told you is true ... which
is part of the reason no one ever pushed you to find someone.
However, your friend Michael has complicated things quite a bit. You
see, ever since you were a little girl, you have been betrothed to
Dominic. So, when he was your first love, everything was going on
schedule. Only a problem arose when his family became snobbish when
the O'Shanold family moved into town. Don't ask why, you'll know the
answer soon enough. Your father has discussed your relationship with
this Michael O'Shanold to get advice on how to handle things, and so
many people know of it. Unfortunately, Dominic is one of them and you
are on the same track as your dear friend Isabella. I hope you aren't
too angry with me for not telling you sooner.” He was staring
off in the direction of the forest now.

“
Grandpa, you
know I could never be angry with you. I am, however, confused. I
don't understand what's wrong with Michael and me. I also don't
understand what my Dad is doing. What is going on?” I sighed
into my hands.

“
There is so
much that I want to tell you, but the time is not right, my dear.
Your father is confused as well and he is trying to find the right
approach for your relationship. Your father is not as- let's say
intuitive- as I am. He doesn't realize how close you and your Michael
are. He has never had to comfort away your tears from that horrible
dream that I am pretty sure you and him share, in some manner. Times
are changing away from what were the traditions.” He smiled
again but did not look away from the trees.

“
Grandpa, how
did you know about the dream and how we share it?” I was so
shocked.

“
Knowing about
the dream was not hard since you've had it since you were three, and
someone had to come and hold you while you calmed down.
Unfortunately, I cannot tell you how I know you're dream fasted to
him. It will have to wait for another day. I also think it is time
for you to go and visit with the guests that are here for your big
evening, my little sweetheart.” He looked at me and gave me a
kiss on the cheek.

“
Okay,
Grandpa. Thank you for answering what you could. I love you.” I
gave him a great big hug. I had more questions than I had come to him
with, but I knew some things had to wait until their proper time.
Besides, I didn't want to push Grandpa.

The day looked
beautiful and like it would give way to a wonderful evening. A part
of me was really excited about tonight and another part of me was
really worried. I had no idea what tonight was going to hold in terms
of these “traditions” I kept hearing about.

Worrying about it
won't stop it from happening, so might as well enjoy the day.

I ultimately had no
time to worry, since the day flew by. When I wasn't visiting with out
of town friends and family, then we were eating.

There were lots of
people I didn't know, but everyone I did talk to gave off the air of
caution. I don't know why but everyone here made me nervous.

By six o'clock the
guests who weren't staying with us left to get ready, and those who
were staying with us went to their rooms. Dinner was at eight and
then afterwards, there was supposed to be a great ball-like
experience. Looking at it, I realized it was all old fashioned, and I
also realized no one from town was invited- except for Miss Ashley-
which I thought was odd. But it didn't change the fact that I had to
get ready for this entire experience.

My Mom and Grandma
flew a beautician in from New York to do my hair and makeup.
Apparently, I'm not allowed to do my own hair and makeup on such
occasions.
Who
could blame them with all the dark colors I wear and dark makeup I
put on. They were probably worried I'd do something intentional.

So, I walked up the
stairs to my room and bathroom, to await my fate.

When I reached my
room, I found it to be unusually bright and there was an extra
three-way monstrosity of a mirror in it. My dress sparkled like some
exotic jewel in all the light. Suddenly I felt very attracted to
shiny things.
Great
now I am losing my IQ over this whole affair.

I walked through to
my bathroom and found it to be even brighter, which I didn't think
was humanly possible. It caused me to momentarily shield my eyes.
When they adjusted to the flash bomb type lighting, I saw a short
squat woman who reminded me of a toad.

“
You must be
Emma?” she said, with a slight New York accent. It was more
upper east side than Brooklyn. “My name is Monique and I'll be
your stylist this evening.” She gave a slight bow as she
continued.

“
Your mother
and grandmother gave me some clue about this event, and I've seen
your dress, so I have some ideas about hair and makeup. I think your
hair should be up with curls, we can pin it with this gorgeous hair
pin. Your polish can stay as it makes a beautiful contrast to the
gold of your dress … and as for your makeup; I thought we'd
highlight those beautiful eyes and color your lips to match those
nails of yours. What do you think?” Her fast talking seemed to
confuse my brain.

“
Um, that
would be fine. I mean, you're the expert. So, work your magic.”
I smiled and tried not to be afraid.

She sat me down in a
portable salon chair that I hadn't noticed before. Somehow it managed
to be comfy, which I was thankful for. I wasn't thankful for the
hideous bright pink leather. Then, she misted my hair with something
smelly and started to place hard red curlers in my long black hair.

After she finished
getting the curlers in, she blew dry my entire head. It all felt
strange and alien. My head had become some sort of space helmet.

After my locks were
dry, she began taking out the hot plastic rollers and my hair
cascaded down in delicate tendrils. It was strange to see my hair in
such a way, but I liked it as well. The small toad-like woman with a
mushroom cut of hair began to pile the newly formed ringlets upon my
head and affix them with black bobby pins – scraping my scalp
ever so often and never muttering even an apology.

Her final addition
to the do was to add in the hair pin Grandpa gave me. I looked
stunning and exactly like my dream- I knew tonight would be
interesting. I had a total of what felt like two-seconds to take in
my hair style before she attacked my face with powder for every inch
of my skin.
I
know I'm going to end up looking like a clown or a stripper- I so
don't need all this crap on my face!

When she finished,
she swirled my chair back toward the mirror and I was shocked.

“
So, what do
you think, honey?” she asked as though she really wanted to
know.

“
I love it!”
I flashed my best smile.

My face was
transformed. My eyes were outlined slightly in black but were
surrounded in golden shimmer. The effect seemed to brighten my
already brilliant eyes. My entire skin glowed slightly and my lips
were tinted the same shade as my nails; blood red. The woman bowed
her head and excused herself.