It all Began and Ended with a Tree... Part 11

Hold your horses! Have you read the first Chapter? No? Well here's the link: Chapter 1

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It all Began and Ended with a Tree
Chapter 11

I did try to put it bluntly, but Dave’s response was enough to blow me off my feet. I have no idea under what circumstance he would react in such a manner. There is the matter of my not being able to meet his parents, but for good reason, as I have come to believe.

I look at him coolly; he did not have to react so violently. I tell him dryly “Well, will you come or not?”

He’s startled by my apparent hostility, but I wave it off, if he took offense, he didn’t show it. The atmosphere is quickly becoming a serious one but Dave manages to lighten it a bit. “I am, I am, no need to get angry over it… I’m just not sure how to act around your parents… My being a wool-headed lummox and all…”

“Don’t joke with me boy” I say with my most passive of voices. I believe it’s my turn to play a prank after the false drowning one he pulled on me. I stare at him coldly and he tugs at his collar, eyes shifting every so often. I didn’t think that would work.

“Umm… O--” I cut him off before he could begin and I knuckle him on the shoulder. I reach up to ruffle his hair but I command my hand to stay by my side. Good for the guy that he’s handsome.

I draw in my biggest breath and blast it through the silver wrought whistle, calling for old man Cesar. It isn’t long before we hear the low rumble of his speed boat’s engine as it whizzes over the water.
The tree rustles in the breeze and I inhale the cool wind as we get into old man Cesar’s boat.

“I trust you’re introducing Dave to your parents?” Old man Cesar raises an eyebrow and I nod in agreement. He is chewing a stalk of something I cannot quite put a label on, and smiling like a fool from time to time as we travel down to the dock. Once there, Dave gets off and shows how much of a blundering fool he has inside by tripping on a raised board, nonetheless, he takes my hand and pulls me up.

“You ready? I should warn you, but I’m leaving you to your devices.” There is nothing strange about the mischievous grin that I then flash at Dave. If anything, it makes him look all the more flustered and I smile at that small triumph. I put my arm in the crook of his and I rest my head upon his shoulder smiling dreamily. Little wonder it is if my eyes are glazed over.

I have, after all, done enough mischief so I go back to acting like a village girl fawning after a young lord, which Dave actually is. The other girls that shun me for being so cooped up and aloof now ogle at me for being arm in arm with Dave, yet another of my small triumphs. I do love him, mind, I am just sifting through the advantages and they’re pretty fine advantages too.

I can’t help but sense the unease emanating from Dave; he’s definitely taking to heart my implied warning. I sigh, I think it’s about time I lighten his load somewhat. I stroke his arm affectionately enough to draw his eyes to me and I look into them trying to show utmost concern. He falters a moment and he has in his eyes a heck of a lot of unease. I take the moment to hit him softly on the head and mutter “I was joking! You’ve nothing to worry about!”

He looks at me and laughs uneasily, if I know any better, he’s ready to jump out of his boots. I look up at him consolingly, and I see something different. It is some kind of envy, a deep rooted envy and hurt. I don’t know why or how it’s there, it just is and it in turn makes me uneasy.

I smile though, in spite of that, knowing that making a good impression with my parents seems like something very important to him, and, I like that in a guy. Seeing that, I’m pretty sure he’s serious about his feelings for me.

It’s my turn to jump when I realize we’re already in front of our doorstep. I shudder thinking that what had passed was well over a half hour, but in reality less than five minutes. It dawns on me that I’m unsure of what to do and this uncertainty wraps itself around me like a constrictor. I almost leap from my skin when Dave knocks at the door; I wasn’t even aware that he had stepped up.

I stop clinging so hard and I try to put on my best face. I almost laugh at myself for acting so jumpy; it is, after all, my own home. I tell Dave to be confident and be himself, as if the guy needed any more prodding.

Dad is the first to the door, a wonder, though, given his busted knee. He’s wearing a loose shirt and even looser breeches. He looks at Dave up and down and does something I did not expect. He whacks Dave on the head with his walking stick. I swear I could hear Dave’s ears ringing.

“Dad, what are you doing?!” Consternation is plain on my face as well as frustration with a dash of irritation. I try to get closer but he pushes me away and I get a gratuitous grunt for staying away.

Dave whistles as the wind is swept out of him because of a blow to his side. I wonder why he’s not making any fuss of it, it’s not like him not to resist. I laugh anyway, wonderingly though and someone might take it as a mirthless laugh.

Dave buckles as dad hits him on the knee and stabs his feet with the butt of the walking stick. He still retains his composure though and I admire him for that, among many other things. After the ordeal, I think I will be spending some time tending to Dave’s welts.

Mom comes out and I heave a sigh of relief seeing her dressed regally. She starts out like a queen, well, not that regal, but more civilized than dad. She’s wearing a blood red dress and matching shoes.

“Well, hello there. I trust you’re Dave?” I fervently pray that Mom won’t do anything to embarrass me. Things seemed to be going fine right then and there, but, I don’t think it’s going to last long.

“Yes ma’am, I am Dave, your daughters… lover, if you wish to put it that way.” I doubt anyone would notice but Dave’s eyes are a little bit scrunched and I know he’s wracking his mind for things to say.

“Oh how delightful.” Mom is beautiful tonight, I believe, even her speech as she said that sentence was almost perfect. And then, everything goes wrong as she takes on a higher pitch and motions for Dave to bend so she can examine him.

Dave bends enough for Mom to take his head in her hands and the she sniffs it. She sniffs it! I can’t keep repeating the sentence in my mind and the shock was absolute. In an all-too-forced mystical tone she says “I have deduced that this man is fine and I approve of him, Elle.” She flashes me that same mischievous grin and I know it’s going to be a long night.

Something is awry, but I can’t put a tab on it so I just don’t mind it any longer than I should.

Truthfully, when mom was doing her mystic’s reading thing, I half expected fog to roll in and a wolf howl in the distance. I stare at mom incredulously and she laughs. Mark my words, her laugh is infectious, and Dave and I find ourselves laughing too. Only dad didn’t join in, a wistful expression on his face.

Good thing no one noticed that just a moment ago, Dave’s knees had been rattling. It began when he saw mom, and now he’s a bit eased up, but still jittery.

“Mom, I can’t help but ask, what gave you this idea?” I say in the middle of fits of laughter.

“I used a book. Maybe you’ve heard of it or even read it. ‘A Dummy’s Guide to Making Good First Impressions.’ It’s a good read too.”

“Mom, you know books like that are unreliable.” I say, laughing even harder.

“Elle, no, it’s really a reliable one. My mom has that book and she makes a good first impression of being a witch.” says Dave, at ease for the first time in the evening. “I do apologize for not being dressed properly, the invitation was on short notice” he said.

“Oh don’t worry Dave, it’s alright.” says mom. Dave’s little joke had sent her bent over laughing. A small smile even touched Dad’s lips. “Well, what kind of host leaves her guest outside, come in, come in!”

“Thank you, madam”

The evening deepens and we spend a lot of time talking and laughing. After that we have a sumptuous dinner and the lively atmosphere lingers above the table. Even dad who is rarely the lively type injects a lively grunt here and there.

After it all, mom takes me aside. “Elle, Dave was wonderful company! You know how to pick your man after all.” But there is sadness in her eyes, as though she is torn between two things.

“Thanks mom…” I say noticing the sadness. “Is there something you want to say?”

“Yeah… It’s be--” whatever she says is lost in the din of laughter from next door, but I catch it anyway and fear grips my heart like nothing ever before.

The goodbyes are said and I hope against hope that Dave wouldn’t notice the sadness in my eyes. “Dave, you go out alone tonight okay? Ask old man Cesar to take you to your home. I have something important to do.”

“Okay Elle… Goodbye, goodnight, God bless you and always take care of yourself. I will love you no matter what happens.” At that, mom giggles and mumbles something incoherently.

“Bye Dave, same to you. Always remember the tree… always.” I have plans and I won’t let them be delayed. I push something into Dave’s hand as I show him out the door.

“Always remember the tree…” I turn back, as the door closes. I'm satisfied that I am able to hold back tears. as Dave leaves. When I walk up the stairs, I wipe the tears from my eyes, it's not a time to be scared, it's a time to be strong.

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OH NOES!! CLIFFHANGER!! Well, why is Elle so afraid? I fear we might never know. Here's Chapter 12: The Epilogue?