The First Truth

The last day of school and graduation went off without too much incident but Sally Plinker tried her best to trip me as I made my way to the stage to receive my diploma. Years of bullying at the hands of these people, I knew to be on my guard so I simply “accidentally” kicked her. Sally grabbed her leg and started gingerly rubbing it. She looked up at me and shouted, “Ow, you bitch! Why did you kick me?” I raised my eyebrow and coolly told her, “Oh did I hurt you? I didn’t realize your leg was out there. I’d be careful, you’re likely to trip someone. That would be no good to do to someone simply trying to graduate from this place.” This prompted a sound that was a lot like a hrmpf, a pursed lipped pout with arms crossed and an aggressive rock back in her chair. Her boyfriend, who was the starting quarterback of the football team, reached from behind her to comfort her. “Alexandra, you are rotten as ever.” Sam Wilson was the mayor’s kid who everyone got along with. Well, everyone but me apparently though he once told his friends that if I wasn’t a Batiste, he’d dump Sally to get with me. Word got around that he was into the “weirdo” and he was never quite able to live that down. This being evident when Sally turned around to chide him, “That’s rich. Didn’t you say you’d get with her weirdo lover.” At this moment Mr. Jenkins, the History teacher, came walking up to me, “Ms. Batiste is there a problem here?” Mr. Jenkins and the principal Mrs. Kemp were the only ones in this town who ever showed me any sort of care and compassion. This never went over well amongst the parents who felt that I bullied their children when I decided to fight back. I turned to smile at Mr. Jenkins, “No sir, I was just checking to see if Sally was okay. She was stretching when I was walking by and I accidentally kicked her.” Mr. Jenkins looked down at Sally, “Ms. Plinker, I hope you are ok; however, you need to be more aware of what your actions could do to those around you or even the consequences to yourself. You’d do well to remember this advise and carry it with you as you move forward into the next chapter of your life starting at Harvard. Ms. Batiste, please move along to receive your diploma.” I walked forward with a smile as I heard behind me, “I hate her.” The feeling is mutual.

As I arrived at the manor, the preparations for the night were in full swing. Caterer vans were parked out front and the several people working the event were bustling about to get everything ready for the night. As I drove by the vans I read the side of the van, Spellbound Delights owned and operated by one Vanessa Tannen. I don’t ever remember seeing such a business in town and the people working the event don’t seem the least bit put off by being here. I parked my car and walked towards the entrance hearing faint whispers amongst the staff, “Oh my stars, it’s her. She’s just as beautiful as the rumors said. I was so happy Vanessa asked me to cater for The Batiste.” The Batiste? As in singular tense, I found that quite odd not to mention these people seemed to be doting on me like I was celebrity. I reached the foyer and found a very slender woman dressed in all black with hair that was such a shade of deep red I would’ve guessed her nickname was Scarlet. She smiled at me, “Alexandra I presume? I am Vanessa Tannen, I’m in charge of the catering and staff for your ceremony. Your parents are so proud of you, I’ve heard nothing but praises. You know, I met you once when you were a baby. I crafted that gold gauntlet style bracelet you are wearing on your right wrist.” I looked up at her in shock, “Then you would know why they make me wear it all the time when I leave the house. Can you tell me why they are so keen on hiding the mark on my wrist?” You could see in Vanessa’s eyes the desire to enlighten me but it was quickly replaced with hesitation, “Darling, I don’t think it’s my place to tell you that. Reggie wouldn’t appreciate my telling you more than you should know at this point. I will say that I am ever so protective of you. They chose me as your godmother, you know but for your sake I’ve had to stay away.” Vanessa had a lone tear trail down her cheek but turned her head in the hopes that I didn’t see it. As she turned back, she smiled, “No use dwelling on the past though, you have a future to look forward to and I will be here for you from now on. I happen to teach at LDMU so I will be watching over you while you attend.” I was amazed that someone I barely knew could care so much about me but it felt so touching that I had the urge to hug her. Before I knew it, I had my arms wrapped around Vanessa. “I’m so glad that you’ll be around from now on, I don’t know why but you seem like someone I could get along with.” Having returned my hug, Vanessa pulled me away and looked me in the eye, “My stars, no wonder why Reggie says you could charm anyone. Anyhow, I believe you should go find your mother before she murders me for keeping you too long. I don’t want to be the target.” I laughed, “Right, I don’t either so I’m going to get to her. Nice meeting you Auntie Ness!”

I clamored up the stairs to find mother in my room waiting for me, as she turned around my heart dropped into my stomach, she was very angry...again. “Alexandra Rose, I thought I told you this morning that we were on a tight schedule. What took you! “, mother said as she pushed a long red curl out of her face. Mother was a red head as well but her’s was different from Vanessa’s. Her’s was fierier to match that passionate part of her personality. “More like shouted but whatever.” I said under my breath. Mistake made too late to abort...mother turned on her heels and strode up to me. She put her face in mine where I could see the details of her deep emerald green eyes, “I must be hard of hearing, did I hear you say you want to be punished? Because that is most definitely how you get punished little one.” I was being funny but clearly mom didn’t get the joke. My internal dialogue was telling me, “Okay Xan, that was a dumb ass mistake. Think about what to say next to get out of this one or this woman will haunt your dreams. Got it, charm turned on.” I smiled, “Mother, I am so sorry. I guess the stress of the day is getting to me too. Of course, you warned me, I tried to return as soon as possible but the Plinker brat made a stink about how I tried to take out her leg during the graduation ceremony when her intention was to trip me. Mrs. Kemp cleared it up but it took some time to get Mrs. Plinker off her back. By the way, she’s threatening to sue us. Also, that blue looks gorgeous on you, you should wear it more often.” My mother’s eyes turned from anger to fury but I knew that it wasn’t directed at me, “Ha! Plinker wouldn’t dare mess with us. She’ll tuck her little tail between her legs when Reggie threatens to counter sue her for psychological damage her daughter inflicted on you over the years. Character witnesses Mr. Jenkins and Mrs. Kemp should do. You know your daddy would. Anyhow, let’s get you in your gown. No time to waste on that trash right now.” She turns to Delilah, “Delilah, please bring me her gown.” Delilah pulls out a dress that was pure white, it was almost wedding gown like or one a debutant would wear to a ball.” I smiled at mother, “That’s not exactly my color.” My mother smiled back at me, “I know darling but this is the tradition. You have to wear this color.” After she smoothed out the dress, she turned to our housekeeper, “Now Delilah, ready the gloves we need to take the bracelet off and get the gloves on quickly.” Delilah pulled a small mahogany box with a engraved plate on it with the inscription For The Batiste. There it was again “The Batiste.” Mother pulled out two white arm length gloves like they wore in old Hollywood. She took my bracelet off and swiftly place the glove on my right arm then smiled up at me, “Vanessa gifted these to us so you won’t have to wear the bracelet tonight.” It was odd to me that that would seem like a significant thing to say but over the years I had expected to have cryptic phrases, actions and meanings happen around me. I learned to quit asking questions because my father would get angry with me and it broke my heart to anger him because I have so much respect for him. “It’s best you don’t know for now,” he would say. After they pulled my hair into an up do and applied makeup, I was ready for the party. My mother with tears in her eyes looked at me, “We have to wait for your father and grandfather. There’s one small touch they have to present you with.” “I’m guessing she’s ready?” my father said as he pushed his head into the room from the crack in the door. “Yes, you may speak with her alone. We are done.” my mother cupped my head in hand and squeezed my cheek as she turned to walk out with huge smile on her face. “Finally, my work for today is done. If anyone needs me, I will be in my room getting ready for the party.”

As she’s leaving, my grandfather enters the room with a necklace jewelry box in his hand. Both my father and grandfather kneel before me and say in unison, “We present this day to the future of our House, the symbol with which you must wear until such a time as you produce the next future.” my father lifts his head to kiss my hand, “My darling daughter, this locket is your ticket into LDMU all who attend there must wear this locket to symbolize their house. This university of prestigious and not just anyone can get in so you must keep this in mind and wear it always.” My grandfather stands and clasps the locket around my neck. It holds a small sapphire on the front. “From the oldest generation Batiste to the newest, I present with all our eternal love and devotion the colors and symbol of our family and crest which we proudly wear.” I reach down and open the locket to find a coat of arms in hues of blue and green with a sword across a heart and perched on the heart was a panther which subconsciously always reminded me of my father. “Now that the guests have arrived, we need to present you,” my father looked at me with a mixture of emotions. Pride, glee, melancholy and fear. The last emotion he displayed lingered in my mind. If we are amongst family and friends, why would he be afraid? At that there was a creak at the door as Delilah peered through the door, “Sirs, madam told me to tell you that HE will not be attending tonight. He’s busy with important work at Vellum. The other one will not be here either as he is still not permitted to leave Vellum thus, he does not have his crest restored to him.” You could see the tension leave my father’s shoulders with this news, “I had prayed that we would avoid having to deal with Blake but I had hoped to see Lucian. His presence would have made Xan’s ceremony a resounding success. Now we will have to rely on the Batiste charm and pray to Cerridwin that Xan doesn’t insult anyone” my father winked at me. Grandfather replied, “The downside to hardening our girl has a rather unfortunate side effect of her willing to scrap with anyone who insults her. You sure you wanted Lucian here after all? You’d likely lose Blackwood Deep over her attitude.” Talk about me like I’m not here, will you?” I wasn’t pleased they spoke like I was some wild beast they had to tame. Grandfather chuckled,” Thank you for my point, dear.” I was flabbergasted and speechless. My father grabbed my hand and stared in my eyes,” We need you to be a perfect lady tonight. Do you think you can?” I nodded at my father,” I believe I can. You wish that of me.”

At that my father sent grandfather on his way downstairs to join the party. “I am incredibly proud of you Xan but before we go downstairs, I want to reveal to you one thing. Our family has been a very important in another world. We are the protectors of the Blackwood Forest which houses a portal to another world. We are officially titled in this world as the Duchy of Blackwood. This ceremony tonight is an initiation as my official apprentice to become the Duchess of Blackwood and protector of the wood. That is all I will reveal for now.” Father led me out of my room my hand tucked into his arm. I was deep in thought from all that he revealed. It all made sense why all the wait staff thought I was a big deal. What I couldn’t wrap my brain around is that there was a portal in the forest and why they felt the need to hide these facts from me. As we reached the top of the stairs and heard Vanessa pronounce,” Ladies and Gentlemen, please stand at attention for His Grace, Duke Reginald Batiste and is progeny Miss Alexandra Rose Batiste future Duchess of Blackwood.” It finally dawned on me that father had more to reveal than just this title and portal. What other truths would father reveal this night?