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“Mom, Pamela’s coming over
tonight,” Justin said grabbing a cereal box and eating from it. Lynn turned from the
dinner she was preparing for the night’s dinner and gave him a fixed stare.
“She can’t we’re having dinner guests.” Justin rolled his eyes.
“She can be a dinner guest too.” “Since when did you guys
become such a heavy item, hmmm?” Lynn asked, quirking her brow. “We’re not,” he grumbled.
“She’s just been nag—uh asking me to spend some time with her, since
we haven’t seen each other in weeks.” “Fine, but you have to entertain
her. I just can’t seem to warm up to that girl. I’m sorry!” Lynn turned back
to the sink we’re she was washing the vegetables. She didn’t like Pamela. She
was not right for her boy. Every time she came in contact with Pamela, Pamela
would put her fake smile on and act in a very fake manner. Lynn didn’t like
that. It was too bad that her son wasn’t dating a nice girl. A nice girl
like…like Victoria. Lynn mentally shrugged
and started cutting the vegetables. … “Mom? Have you seen my
new halter top?’ Toria called, poking her head outside her bedroom door. “I’m on the phone
Victoria!” She heard her mom call back. She went back to browsing
through her closet for her halter-top. She had wanted to make a dress for the
dinner but hadn’t had time and had decided on a black, stretch, halter top
with an imprint of a large flower on the side and her hip-slung, flared,
khaki pants. Walking around her room
in her towel she looked for the top. She finally found it underneath a pile
of clothing on her desk chair. She picked it up and the pants that were
already laid out on her bed, and got dressed. She was just finishing
when her mother knocked on her door and walked in. “Sorry Victoria, I was on
the phone with Lynn.” Toria shrugged. “No, it’s
ok. I found the top.” Her mother took the
outfit in and smiled. “You look very nice. I think you should put your black
cardigan over the top though. Just to be a little more formal.” “Yeah Mom. I was going to
do that anyway. So why did Mrs. Less call?” Toria asked as she put on her
silver hoop earrings. Her mother sat on her
bed, a thoughtful expression passing over her face. “It was a little odd
actually. Lynn called to ask what our car looks like. She asked the license
plate number and everything. She said it was for security reasons which I
think is quite strange.” Toria turned around and
faced her mother. “That is weird. Maybe Mrs. Less is loaded or something?” Her mother waved her
hands in indifference. “I don’t know. We’ll just see what it’s all about when
we get there. Right now I have to finish getting ready.” Toria watched her mom
leave the room before turning back to the mirror. As she brushed her dark
hair and styled it into a simple ponytail, she wondered about Mrs. Less. The
only reason she could think of Mrs. Less needing security provisions was due
to her having money. It was still a little odd that she needed the car make
but Toria supposed it made sense. She put aside the thought
and went to wrap the dress and matching purse she had made for Mrs. Less, in
tissue. She took one last look at her creation before she wrapped it. She
loved this dress and felt a little sad parting with it. It was all black,
draped by one shoulder and fitted to the waist where it was gathered
slightly; the long skirt flared slightly out, with a wispy fishtail at the
back. It was simple and elegant but dramatic enough for Mrs. Less. She touched it softly
before wrapping it and the purse in the tissue paper and putting them in a
large box. She threw her cardigan on, put her handbag over her shoulder and
grabbed the box. She made her way downstairs to her living room, turned on
the radio, and waited for her mom to get ready. She looked at her watch.
Five thirty. The dinner was at seven and the drive was going to take an hour.
She rested her head on the back of the chair and only looked up when her mom
walked into the living room, five minutes later. “Tor? Are you ready?” Her
mother asked as she wrapped a shall over her shoulders. “Yep!” Toria noted her
mother’s red linen dress and thought she looked great. “I have the wine and you
have the dress. So let’s get going then.” She took the car keys and walked
outside, Toria following behind. They put everything in
the trunk and got inside the car. “So this should be
interesting.” Toria said as she put on her seatbelt. Her mother nodded. “Yes.
Lynn told me that along with herself, it will be the two of us, her son and
her son’s girlfriend.” Toria grimaced as her
mother backed out of the garage. Two adults and two lovers; sounded like so
much fun. She refrained herself from rolling her eyes, not wanting her mother
to know how much she didn’t want to go to the dinner. She flipped on the radio
and as music filled the car interior, she closed her eyes. The music and the
lull of the car on the road made her drift into a gentle sleep. … She woke up to rain
pounding on the car roof. She glanced across at her mom, whose eyes were
fixed attentively on the road in front of her. “Mom,” she said her voice
slightly scratchy with sleep. “How long do we have before we get there?” Her mom glanced at her
and gave her a soft smile. “Not long. We should actually be only a few
minutes away. I’m looking for the address right now. It’s a good thing we’re
almost there. The rain is falling pretty heavily.” Toria looked outside and
noticed how hard the rain was falling. It was getting bad out there. She was
surprised considering how nice it had been only an hour ago. “Look for the street and
the number for me Tor! Here’s the address.” Her mother said, passing her
address book to Toria. They drove for a couple
minutes before they found it. The rolled onto the street and were met with a
large gated area. “Uh are you sure this is
the right place.” Toria said turning to her mom. “Yes. I’m positive.” Her
mother looked as confused as she felt. The rain was still pouring badly, in
fact, the sky was getting darker and darker and the wind was blowing
fiercely.
“Your name!” The voice
said without any decorum. Her mother looked at her
before answering. “Janelle Freightan.” “And you’re guest?” “My daughter. Victoria
Freightan.” “License plate number
please!” They looked at each other
again in bewilderment but her mother still gave him the number. “Thank you! One moment
please!” “Ok that’s just creepy!”
Victoria said as they waited. Her mother nodded.
“That’s why Lynn asked for the license plate.” “Wow!” Toria said peering
into the community. “Her son must be well-off.” They watched the gates
open and heard the voice came back on the intercom. “You may now go in Ms.
Freightan.” Janelle closed the window
and drove through the gates into a large neighbourhood. The houses were large
and well spaced out on the land. There didn’t seem to be many, but Toria
wasn’t sure because almost right after they entered they turned and drove in
a long half circular driveway and soon found themselves facing a huge house
with large big windows. Toria thought that the
colour was a misty blue but she wasn’t sure because of the wind, rain and
fog. Her mother turned to her
with a bemused look on her face. “This isn’t, to say the least, what I
expected.” Toria nodded. As they
were both unbuckling their seatbelts, the front door of the house swung open
and a woman with long, curly hair walked over to the car an umbrella over her
head. “Janelle. Victoria. I’m
so glad you could make it.” She said peeking into the car. “Janelle, you can
keep the car here if you like but there is a garage just off the corner to
protect it from the rain.” “That sounds great Lynn.
Victoria can you bring the box inside, please? I’ll bring the wine.” “Sure.” Toria put her bag
over her shoulder and got out of the car warily. It was raining badly and she
didn’t have an umbrella. Lynn seeing her
predicament offered her the umbrella she was using. “You can take this
Victoria. I’ll go with your mother and show her the way. The door is open so
just walk in!” Toria nodded. “Thanks!”
She walked over to the trunk and took out the box. She made her way up the
driveway as her mom and Mrs. Less drove towards the garage. Clutching the box under her
arm, she opened the door and was met with one of the loveliest homes she had
ever seen. Because the outside had
been so large, she had assumed the interior would show the riches and be
gaudy. Instead, the foyer was elegant with warm and bright colours. She
walked a little further in and faced the large living room. It was filled
with bright colours and comfortable furniture. It was quietly elegant but was
still warm and welcoming. She slid off her shoes
before walking further into the room. It wouldn’t be the best first
impression to get her wet shoes all over the cream carpet. Before she could
step into the room, her mother and Lynn walked into the house. “This is so lovely,
Lynn!” “It was my son’s doing.
He asked the designer to go simple but comfortable.” “Well it’s very nice.”
They walked into the living room, Toria following from behind the box still
in hand. She placed it on a side
table and sat down on one of the soft white armchairs. “So where is your son and
his girlfriend?” Janelle inquired as she sat back with Lynn one of the sofas. “Well he was supposed to
be bringing out the appetizers. Pamela isn’t here yet. I should go check on
him.” Lynn was about to get up when a voice stopped her. “Mom, have a little faith
in me.” He said in an amused voice. Toria knew that voice. She whipped her
head around. He noticed her as soon as she noticed him. Surprise was evident
on both their faces but before they could say anything, Janelle beat them to
the punch. “Oh my!” She exclaimed in
surprise. “You’re the boy from the accident? Justin? You’re Lynn’s son?” He nodded. Lynn looked around
startled. “The accident? You mean the car accident? Victoria that was you?” She nodded. Their parents were amazed
at this revelation and continued to dig until they found out that Justin and
Toria had met before, in fact knew who each other was. “This is so…odd!” Janelle
said. Lynn mumbled her agreement. Toria couldn’t help
agreeing with them silently. This was getting kind of weird. Toria wondered
how the night would turn out. She had a feeling that it was not going to as
boring as she had originally suspected. |