Waltz, a short story by WriterKenneth. Date added: 2006-05-21. Times viewed: 1000.
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- Intro: Fate
- "Mamma has always had a love for other peoples possession's". Chad told me
as I unpacked my bags in the guest house. Chad was a shy simple country boy
that lived two houses down. He family had fell on good times unlike many.
His words made me think of my own mother.
It was Christmas and this year I was home for once in a long while. Mother
said there was something important she wanted to tell me.
When I arrived home the main house was locked. I no longer had a key because
the lock was changed dur to the break in. I still had the key to the guest
house and it worked. Luckily mother never got around to changing those
locks.
Chad rambled on a few moments then said he had to go home his mother had
dinner waiting.
I remembered the last time mother said she had something important to tell
me. When I walked through the large main doors she took my hands and
announced she had gotton married. His name was Dominick. He had short jet
black hair. He was younger than her. He seemed to be almost a boy. He was
strikingly handsome. He had a friendly smile and kind heart. It was my
birthday that day. He gave me a present wrapped in a small box with a ribbon
on it. Dominick had a black tux on and white shirt. It was hard to determine
who was more beauitifully wrapped.
I lied down on the bed and thought I had been away too long. I looked around
at the surrondings, the walls, the wood, floor. Dominick had helped build
the guest house as mother called it with his own two hands. Some would have
thought the new guy was trying to force me out. Not Dominick, he and mother
wanted me to have a studio for my art and music. I wondered where he was.
I drifted off to sleep when I awoke it was dark. I quickly got to my feet
and looked out the window. I could see the main house in the distance had
lights on. I knew she, they were back. I took a shower and put on a casual
jacket and slacks. I wanted to loo presentable but not overdone.
I walked up the winding pathway to the house. The air was cool and fresh. I
stopped for a moment and thought I could hear music softly playing. I
imagined her and he dancing, a waltz, a temponic rhythm with other wealthy
well dressed people on the sidelines watching.
I cleared my thought and walked on.
I knocked on the door and no answer. I knocked again and mother came dressed
in a flowing lounging ensemble.
"Hi darling". She said taking my hands.
She kissed me on the cheek.
"Where's Domnick?. I asked.
"He's away now dear. Come inside and get settled down."
They house looked scattered and unkepted which was unusual for mother.
"I was on the phone making final preparations for the party."
"Party"? I asked
"Yes for Christmas. We're going to have an old fashioned Ball, right here".
She said walking away.
"Well I hope it's elegant"! I said raising my voice.
She turned to me and smiled.
I walked to the sitting room and sat down. There was red wrapping paper
under a large sprawling Christmas tree. The room for once felt cozy and
safe. I sat back in the chair and relaxed.
"Dear" Mother said. "Come along I have dinner ready. I took her hand and
strode along.
It was just the two of us.
"So who is coming to this party?"
"Everyone" She replied.
"So why here?" I asked.
"I don't like the idea of using someone elses place and I wanted to be in
control. It's well overdo."
"I see, well you can't ge kicked out of your own house."
"Oh stop that! she said pulling the fork towards her grinning. "We've never
been kicked out of anything."
I raised my eyes and said " This Chicken is great!
She looked at me laughing.
I'm glad you like it."
After dinner mother continued to play music I helped to put together a toy
for the neighborhood child and wrapped presents.
This didn't feel like what rich people did but I never felt rich just a
simple guy. I guess one with a good heart and more class. I did however like
the finer things in life, if not finer the more cultured things.
I saw a gift for Dominick and wished he were here.
I asked mother about him again, she changed the subject. If I had not
noticed something was wrong before, I noticed it know.
Mother went on talking on the phone again and the time crepted by.
After listening to all the bits of conversations and wrappng presents I
could handle, I was ready for bed.
"No dear! I want you to stay in the main house tonight. Besides you still
have clothes in your old room." She said.
The next morning I came down stairs with bare feet, t-shirt and pajama
bottoms on and Dominick was standing there. He eyed me and smiled.
"Goodmorning". Dev
I was surprised and felt caught offguard.
"Hi Dominick. We missed you last night."
"I'm going to the kitchen and we will talk later." He said.
"Great! I thought. That looked real classy.
I went back uptairs and got dressed and went to the guest house. I picked
out some clothes, showered and changed.
Looking in the mirror I thought about what I would wear to the Ball. In my
mind I envisioned Dominick I saw him in the mirror and was startled.
I turned around.
"Sorry to barge in but I wanted to know where you were and if you were ok. I
did not mean to put you off back there." He said.
"No! It was my fault. I usually don't wander around like that."
"Thats no problem" he said.
"You are coming to the party aren't you?" I asked.
"Yes"! He said. I hope my dancing skills are up to par."
"Your's and mine both." I said laughing.
"Perhaps you two could practice together a female voice said."
It was Sally the maid. I had wondered where she had been.
"Thats what my brothers used to do." She said in her South American accent.
We both laughed.
"I can clean when you boys are finished." Sally said walking away.
I was about to ask him if everyting was ok when Mother walked in and asked
if we were behaving.
"Yes." I said. "We were just talking about dancing and the party."
"Well you boys better not disappoint me then." She said smiling.
Everytime after that when I tried to talk to Dominick Mother would always
walk in and interupt.
I was in the Living Room reading and Dominick was in the workshop peddling
with an old motorbike. It was one of his hobbies. I had wanted to go riding
with him but never got the chance.
I thought again about asking him was there something wrong but Mother
walked in. She looked more elegantly dressed and happy.
"Are you ready for the party?" She asked.
"Yes I am." I said putting the book down and I aim to have fun." It's been a
long time for me too."
"Well I have to go talk to the caterer." She said smling and walked off.
That evening I was in the den when Dominick walked in and Sally soon
followed.
"You two should practice." She barked.
Both of us laughing took each others hands and danced.
"Too fast." She said.
"More serious." She snapped.
We slowed and I could not help looking in his eyes. I dropped my head and
Mother walked in.
"Are you two mocking me?" She asked.
Sally laughed ucontrolably covered her mouth and walked out.
Mother frowned and said. "What was that all about?"
We laughed.
Dominick cleared his throat and said "where's dinner, I'm hungry.
It was the night of the party. I was dressed in a black suit, white shirt
and tie, Dominick the same.
mother's dress was shimmering green. It reminded me of the grace of Ireland.
She was beautiful.
People mingled in some new faces and some I almost forgot. I paused to think
of my Father and the feeling passed. The house was decorated with the spirit
of the season. Mother was doting too much on Frederick for my benefit. I
never liked him. He was a business man my Father knew when he was younger.
I rolled my eyes and looked for Dominick.
His attentions seemed to been captivated by a artificial blonde.
"Maybe it's just this bug going around." I thought to myself.
Dominick raised his head and smiled at me. I knew his entrancement was one
of kindness and I laughed.
In the corner of my eye I saw Hal come in. He was my Father's old Attorney.
My Mother tried to halt him and he waved him off.
Hal informed me he found out where my Father was and he had passed away.
I sat on the balcony. The air cold and penetrating through my clothes. It
had been a long time since I had any word about him. At least now there were
no wanderings or unansweed questions,
"What did he want?" Mother asked.
"Imagine him coming here tonight of all nights." Party crasher! She said.
I said nothing.
"His Sister was the same way. Mother snapped.
"Come darling it's cold" She said
We went and sat down at one of the tables.
"You were right Devan , I knew what you were thinking, Dominick is too young
for me."
I sighed and shook my head.
"We really have nothing in common." She said.
"I've fallen in love again with Frederick. I'm breaking it off with
Dominick."
"W'eve already discussed it."
"Mother." I protested.
"You too better get back in here." Sally said.
"They are going to think it's someone elses party."
Mother took my hand and we proceeded to the ballrooom. I stopped and turned
to her and asked "So you are saying it's really over and Domnick is free?"
"Yes" She said.
When we walked back into the Ballroom Dominick asked me could I have this
dance. I said yes.
I looked into his eyes and asked could I talk to him in private.
We walked outside..
"Do you remember when I came home it was my Birthday and you gave me a
present? It was the box with the key to the guesthouse and a key in two
pieces on two necklaces. You said one day I would find someone special and
give them the other one.
"Yes, I remember" Dominick said.
"Will you take the other key?" I asked.
Standing in the garage I said "thank-you for the letter Sally."
"You see your Father did care about you." She replied as she walked off.
"Where are you going?" Chad asked standing at the door.
"Chad. I said. I like Mamma have a love for other people's possession's " as
I got on the back of the motorcycle with Dominick.
Dominick smiled.
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