Serena stood alone and shivering on the cold night street, the rain thundering down relentlessly. Water fell in tiny rivulets down her neck and back. The umbrella offering little protection, as it was more a parasol than an effective shield against the rain. She pulled at the collar of her raincoat in a futile attempt to cease the determined assault on the bare skin of her neck by the elements.
Then she saw it, the headlights in high beam, moving like twin suns, simultaneously exploding into novas of brilliance against the glistening wet onyx surface of the road before her. Again, she heard the sound of screeching tires and inevitable slowing down of time dragging on her body.
Frozen to the spot, like a butterfly under glass, scrutinized, about to be dissected by a fanatical collector – she was a witness without agency.
Suddenly, realization and recognition hit her all at once, the face looking back at her from behind the wheel of the white Corvette Stingray, so painfully familiar to her. And for the briefest of moments, their eyes locked, at a point where her heart had shattered countless times before. The look of shock, apology and helplessness in her mother’s eyes -- the scream issuing from Serena’s throat as the black Lincoln -- on the wrong side of the road -- hurtled towards her mother’s car out of control. The black car’s driver, seemingly determined to do his worst, reminded Serena of Jack Nicholson in The Shining -- the way sweat gave the man’s malevolent face a porcelain gleam -- Serena continued to scream. Her lamentable refrain, blending with the screams of her mother as the vehicles collided with gut wrenching finality before bursting into a pyre of fiery reds; gold’s and white flames that possessed a kind of grotesque beauty after its own manner. As always, after the fingers of terror wrapped themselves around her torso, she gasped, barely able to move. Like a drowning child, she panicked against the rush of fear and grief threatening to consume her within its boundless abyss -- Serena sat bolt upright in her bed, bathed in a cold sweat, her nightie soaked right through, its cotton fabric, clinging tenaciously to the clammy skin of her breasts and stomach.
She sobbed convulsively, drew her knees under her chin, whimpering as she rocked back and forth, her thick tumble of corn-maiden gold sticking to her sweat soaked back. She struggled onto her knees and tried to control her breathing, knowing she would hyperventilate if she didn’t get a grip on herself.
Luna mewed from her position on the end of the bed in sympathy. But the trembling shoulders and mood of the young woman told the astute black cat that her mistress was presently inconsolable. The cat’s well-meant ministrations would be more effective once Serena had recovered her equilibrium.
Serena slowly unfurled her legs and sat on the edge of her bed. Luna meowed, leaping onto the floor and rubbed her face against her shins.
“Sorry Luna, it’s those dreams again… I didn’t mean to wake you, kitty.“ Serena said apologetically to the little black cat while rubbing her arms vigorously to warm herself. She lit a candle and some Sandalwood and rose incense to harmonize the atmosphere in her room that at that moment was more akin to an ancient Egyptian tomb than a bedroom. Walking into her on suite, she shed the nightie and took a quick shower -- then slipped on a chemise. After tying her hair in a ponytail, she drew back the curtains, allowing the moonlight to bathe the room in soft silvery light.
She sat by the window and stared out into the night. Luna climbed into her lap, the resplendent setting, belying the inner torment of a young woman’s troubled heart and restless spirit. Serena recalled how Ami had helped her after the first horrific occurrence of the night terrors that plagued her dreams. Serena had on that night managed to text Ami, who drove over to talk to her, make hot chocolate, and talk her through the frightening images that flashed continuously through her mind. She found talking helped, the images faded, and Ami slept on the sofa to keep her company. The following morning cooked breakfast. Ami had done this often. Recently, the dreams had begun to recede, but the dreams had returned with a vengeance, “I am a mess, Luna… I don’t know what to do. I just can’t figure out what my subconscious mind is trying to tell me. Despite all Ami’s advice and patients, I am no closer to working it out… Come on kitty; come to me… Give me a hug.“
The young cat mewed and rubbed herself against Serena’s face. She stroked the contented cat, while with her free hand wiped her tears away. “You’re one of the best friends I have in the world, Luna. I have my human friends of course, and I love them dearly, but you’re special, as you share my secret hopes and fears… You ask nothing except a little food, milk…, and lots of love.“ Luna meowed as if in answer and this lightened Serena’s heart. She hugged the soft warm furry body and sighed.
~*~
After getting four good solid hours of dreamless sleep, she woke to start another day. Sitting before her laptop, she put down the dream in a file and added a note for Ami before sending it as an attachment. Ami had asked Serena to keep a dream journal ever since the incident at her mothers funeral where she lost control after seeing a black Lincoln in the car park at the cemetery she was certain belonged to the man in her nightmares. Ami restrained her distraught friend from confronting the driver and making a scene and possibly getting herself arrested for harassment.
Serena, for some inexplicable reason even she didn’t understand, blamed herself for her mother’s accident, but as much as she understood intellectually that it wasn’t her fault, her conscience not assuaged in the slightest as her nightmares graphically reminded her.
~*~
Later that morning, Lita and Sammy rocked up with a birthday surprise for Serena. She had all but forgotten today was her twentieth birthday and smiled wryly, “Hey guys…don’t say it, I know, I am in the twilight zone today,“ she said with a wave of the hand, laughing at her own expense and shrugged.
“Well meatball head, we have a little…and I mean, little surprise for you and Luna,“ Sammy said, winking conspiratorially at Lita.
“Oh? Let me see now…“Serena furrowed her brow in concentration, trying to puzzle it out. But when her brother pulled back the towel from the cat-cage, Serena squealed with delight. “Sere, meet Artemis! He has come a long way from the animal shelter and he is keen to make your acquaintance.“
The ornate cardboard box sat on the lounge-room floor, and from its metallic door issued a melodic, yet lamentable high-pitched mew. She smiled at her brother mischievously, as a most disgruntled white kitten boxed the air with his right paw through the bars of the cage entrance. Lita released the catch and Artemis poked his little head out of the open door to survey his surroundings.
“He’s so cute, guys…thanks a bunch. Luna needs a companion.“
“Sere, He has been vaccinated and is in good health and will make the perfect boyfriend for Luna,“ Lita proclaimed as the snow-white kitten clung to Lita’s gazelle like legs, winding himself about them as she called Luna’s name.
It was the first time Serena had laughed in three years -- having remained withdrawn and brooding until only recently-- Ami, who was a trained clinical psychologist, assisted Serena to open up on the subject of her grief and worked with her to unravel the mystery of the nightmares that plagued her for years. Ami had bought Luna as a gift for Serena shortly after beginning to work with her as her analyst.
Luna took one look at the newcomer and turned her back in indignation as if to say, why have you brought that fleabag into my house? But Serena wasn’t having any of it.
~*~
Over the next week or so, lots of emails to animal welfare web sites and coaxing with food rewards, the two fur-lined antagonists signed a truce and began to get along. Serena was fantastic with animals. She could succeed at just about anything, if she put her mind to it. Her mother would always tell friends and family the story of the day a four-year-old Serena spent caring for a stunned young Blackbird. Normally, after a cat captured one of these birds, they would go into shock and often die. Then they were fair game, and the cat would play with them -- the bird mauled or eaten -- she kept Siren, their mocha Persian at bay, much to the feline’s consternation. Sure enough, in less than a week, the bird flew off, healthy and free.
She hadn’t lost her touch; Sammy observed, and helped her pack the cat food in the cupboard as the two newly acquainted companions sat side-by-side expectantly.
“Sere, I wanted to talk to you about something important,“ he said, piquing her interest. She closed the cupboard door after selecting two cans of cat food for the hungry kittens, circling their legs like fur-lined sharks, “That woman has been hanging around with dad again, Beryl… I don’t like her at all. Not to mention the fact I don’t trust her.“
“Look Sammy, I agree with you there, but don’t you think its time we let dad sort out his personal life?“
“What…that tart was turning up on our doorstep almost every week, dressed like a dolled-up--“ You know, she’s just trashy is all!
“What can be done about it, Sammy, tell dad to be careful of her licentious ways… as if. He isn’t going to listen to me. He doesn’t respect you enough to trust you with a partnership and wants you to grovel at his feet until you finish university and neither one of us can get through to him. He’s pushed us away, and if he is sleeping with her, we can’t stop him.“
“Oh Sere, I don’t know, I feel he is sullying mom’s memory. I know he has a right to his privacy and find happiness, but with Beryl?“
“You know… I told her what I thought of her one day, you know,“ Serena surprised him.
“You did what...! And how did she react…?“
“Actually, not too well… She tried to slap my face and I kicked her in the shins and called her a cheep whore. She was in too much pain to come after me. Let’s just say, she won’t be dancing with dad for a while.“
~*~
The next day, Serena climbed behind the wheel of her Toyota hatchback and drove to the cemetery to visit her mother’s grave. After parking, she got out and took a deep breath of fresh air, listening to the chorus of birds singing through the dappled light of the groves of Cypress trees that flanked the central causeway, running the length of the cemetery’s beautifully set out grounds. She casually made her way to her mothers plot and sat Indian style upon the grassy blanket beneath her, Hotaru had just visited the same plot and noticed Serena’s approach and turned back to join her former charge, having served as a Nanny of sorts to the Silver family for three years. But Sere wasn’t quite a child, she was more of a friend as she was a year older than she was.
Serena, clad in indigo and soft grey -- head bowed, roses of gold, red and white clutched limply in her trembling hands looked so forlorn. Her hair, draped over each shoulder, spilling over her golden knees and onto the cheerful green grass. Her shoulders shaking as she wept.
Hotaru stepped up beside her and sat quietly by her side. Serena looked up and recognized the girl, it was their former baby sitter, Hotaru Tomoe. After their home had been leased to a family from New Jersey on her fifteenth birthday, they’d lost contact with the then thirteen year-old. Hotaru was Japanese and her alabaster complexion gave her an almost imperial bearing as she smiled gently at Serena and slipped her hand in hers and the two women just sat quietly, lost in their own private thoughts.
She was like a sister to Serena and a daughter to Mrs. Silver. Hotaru wore skintight blue denim jeans, white tank top and sandshoes. She wore her hair collar-length and brushed back from her face.
Serena was the first to break the silence, “Hotaru… I am glad you’re here,“ she said squeezing her hand.
“Serena…how have you been doing?“
“I don’t know, Hotaru, I would like to say I am fine and leave it at that, but you know me, I always keep my grief in check. I am an heiress…and I don’t give a shit. In fact, I wish I didn’t have to inherit the company that killed my mother… I know it wasn’t just the money, but it came between my folks and I cannot… I will not even challenge Diamond Corp, they can have it!“
“Hey Sere, don’t forget…it was your mothers company and it was meant for you and Sammy to look after…just because your father—“
“I don’t want to talk about him…not here…I’m sorry, Hotaru, of course I don’t want Diamond Corp to keep control of it, but that doesn’t mean I want to run it, you kidding? I can’t run my own life, let alone think about a responsibility like that…“
“Okay, but how are you…really?“ Tell me, are you still having the bad dreams?
“All right, I suppose, and yeah, I still get those damned dreams. But there is something else… I am remembering things, things that make absolutely no sense,“ Serena’s eyes brimmed with tears. She hugged Hotaru, surprising her. Serena apologized and pulled back, wiping her eyes.
She stood up and offered her hand to Hotaru, “Coming?“
“Where are we going, Sere?“
“You’ll see. Trust me, you will love it!“
~*~
Hotaru and Serena soon arrived at the apartment where they sat drinking coffee while Serena checked her email and phone messages. “Okay, lets go,“ she said, leading the way out of the apartment and crossing the hall, Serena squatted on her haunches and slipped a note under her neighbors’ door, reminding her to water her pot plants on the communal patio. She straightened, and the two friends moved towards the waiting lift.
~*~
Hotaru felt both honored and awestruck by the sight that met her eyes as they entered the spacious inner sanctum, once Eileen Silver’s repository of creative genius. Serena and Hotaru sat on a rug, her mother’s sculptures strategically placed about the main gallery: Demeter the Earth Goddess stood holding the child that might have been a God and granted eternal life if not for his family’s lack of trust in her. Diana, the huntress, Hecate, guardian of the underworld, the beautiful Psyche and the magnetic Eros, not to mention the amazing Apollo and figures from Egyptian and Celtic mythology, faithfully reproduced with the skill -- the hallmark of the artisans loving hands – clearly present, a tear trickled down her cheek as she took in the familiar scene. Hotaru put an arm about Serena’s shoulder, as she wept, her heart so overwhelmed with grief and love, “It’s not fair, Hotaru. I wish I could have saved her. But—“
“Hey, it’s all right… she understands, I am sure of it. And I know this, she wouldn’t be happy knowing you’re blaming yourself for something out of your control. I knew her well enough to know she protected you and Sammy as best she could from the breakdown of her marriage and its aftermath… You need to let it go, all of it, she would want that.“
After a time, Serena climbed to her feet, and Hotaru made them each a cup of coffee in the studio kitchenette.
Wiping the tears away with the palms of her hands, she picked up the phone and called Ami. She would be free to see her, as she had no consultations that afternoon due to two last moment cancellations and agreed to see her, “I won’t hear of it, Sere. I am your best friend, my only fee is pizza and wine for two Friday nights running while watching movies, K?“
Serena sighed, smiling to herself, “Okay, deal.“
Hotaru brought the mugs into the room and set them on the table as Serena wound up the conversation. Taking her coffee in hand, she sat before an easel, unveiled it, and sipped her coffee. Hotaru smiled at the portrait. Serena started to work on the painting, one of her mother holding Luna and Artemis in her arms. She smiled to herself, knowing her mother would likely approve of the subject taking shape upon the canvas, “You always loved cats, mom, and what better way to have you meet Luna and Artemis?“
Hotaru sat on a stool, drinking her own coffee, fascinated as she watched Serena at work and they chatted companionably. The ritual of creativity and its subject helped center Serena. Hotaru was blown away by the skill and realism of the painting and said as much, “Serena, you could easily paint for a living if you put your mind to it,“ she told her while examining Serena’s brush strokes and the way she used color and suffused depth and affect into her mothers face.
“Yeah, maybe some day… I just might consider it,“ she replied in a far-away tone, the artists muse almost speaking through her.
Serena had worked for three quarters of an hour, Hotaru, offering feedback. Serena paused and glimpsed at her watch, sighing, she began to put her tools of trade aside. Hotaru helped put away her brushes and pallet.
“Hey thanks Hotaru…why don’t you and Amon both come to my place next week on Friday night? Ami and I are having a movie night… I got an appointment with her in ten minutes, so let’s book it, K?“
“Sure, we’ll be there, what time?“
“Seven on the dot, pizzas on me…,“ Serena hugged Hotaru, and with a smile, they parted company.
~*~
The warm breeze on Maple Avenue greeted her like an old friend. It felt good to be alive, despite the tempest within. She parked the car three streets away and decided a walk was in order. She cleared her thoughts and just allowed herself to be, and this calmed her as she entered the imposing foyer of the clinic and took the lift, smiling at a shy black teenage boy and his white girlfriend on their way out.
As the lift doors closed behind her, she began to feel a tight knot clench within her stomach, thought hard about ice cream to settle her nerves, believing if she could trick herself into feeling hungry as opposed to being afraid, it might distract her mind, and lull her into a sense of neutrality.
“Serena,“ the voice of her friend declared as if introducing a member of state to a high-powered foreign delegation, “Come in, and take a seat…I will be with you in a mini.“
“You’re already wearing one, Ami,“ she chuckled, gesturing at Ami’s short skirt. Ami laughed, “That’s the spirit, now you hold that thought and I will be right back…“ she giggled, shaking her head.
Jeremy Winton, a young intern with short ginger hair and neatly trimmed beard followed Ami into the room and set down the platter of freshly brewed coffee and biscuits. He bowed to both women bringing smiles to their lips and promptly exited, waving to both as he closed the door on his way out.
“I swear, Sere, the young men these days are so cute, I get all the good-looking ones, and they’re all too young for me…“
“Come on, Ami, you’re only twenty five -- not fifty – so, didn’t you know that guys these days adore older women?“ Serena teased, giggling as her comments found their mark. Ami blushed profusely.
“You know, you might just be right. He’s been asking me out for a week now. And you know… I am going to accept!“
“Good for you,“ Serena smiled, crossing her legs and sipping her coffee.
“Okay let’s cut to the chase as they say, the dreams, they’ve started again?“
“Yeah, the same one, but this time, I saw a face, a familiar face, but it doesn’t make any sense…“
“Why is that?“
“It was Diamond!“ At that moment, a flash of memory insinuated itself into her mind. Serena, saw herself as a small child of around eight years old, in the kitchen, crouched beneath the table. She could see two pairs of legs. One she knew belonged to Diamond, the other, a woman’s -- Beryl.
~*~
“Hey girlfriend, you’re fading out on me again… What do you see?“ Ami was used to how Serena’s mind worked during these sessions, the blonde’s memory would pull her into a powerful vision pregnant with meaning.
“In my dream… I can hear them speaking, but I have a lot of trouble trying to make out everything they say. It’s almost as if they were talking underwater.“
“You know, I think your unconscious mind is trying to prompt you about that meeting.“
“Then why can’t I access it, damn it, Ami… I am being constantly tormented by these dreams. Mother was pushed to her death. Oh, I know it was an accident, but the way she slowly fell apart after my father left the house and the fights and all… After I turned seventeen, I began to notice a difference in Sammy’s behavior towards my father. There was far more going on than I knew. Sammy knows something, but he is holding back on me. I haven’t broached the subject with him as I need his support and I am afraid to push him away too… I don’t understand any of it.“
“Could it be because he wishes to be accepted by his father, despite all the sorrow he caused your mother? Remember, Sammy is grieving too, but his way of dealing with it may push him to desperate measures to gain his fathers approval, albeit a not necessarily positive way of doing so,“ Ami suggested, and this got Serena thinking.
“You might be right. Sammy is talking a lot about how he would run the company if he were CEO, but I don’t like the way he is acting. It’s kind of, as if he doesn’t care what father did to mom… I know that’s unfair, but deep down I can’t help it, it’s like these feelings aren’t mine, though I feel them sure enough… all he seems to care about at the moment is money… I hate to admit it, but I don’t like the man Sammy is becoming and I know my father has everything to do with the change. I feel powerless to do anything about it.“
“Look, Sere, I have an idea,“ Ami stood up and pulled open a filing cabinet, producing a leather-bound folio, “Now let me see, where are my glasses… Oh, there they are… I will give her a call.“
“Okay, who is she?“
“Hanna Seitz, your mother’s former financial advisor. She is a genius. I had the pleasure of meeting her on a few occasions at your mother’s corporate functions and she still works for the company. I know she can be trusted as she was also your mother’s best friend. And if anyone can find out what your father and Diamond are up to, she can.“
“Okay, let’s organize a meeting.“
~*~
Arrangements had been made. Serena sat on the edge of the peer, leaning against the worn smooth wooden pylon, one of many supporting the boardwalk. The sea gulls chimed their primal cries, adding to the picturesque setting. It was then she noticed a tall, dark-haired woman with hip-length hair, in white shorts and sleeveless orange top, and a tan, the envy of any devoted sun-lover, carrying an ice-box in one hand, looking in Serena’s direction. She pulled off her shades and smiled from beneath her broad rimmed sunbonnet, “Hi Serena Silver, it’s a pleasure to see you again…“ Serena smiled up at the woman, almost twice her age, but by no means did she look it. Hanna sat beside her, her bronzed legs also dangling over the edge of the jetty in stark contrast to Serena’s slightly tanned sugar-pink limbs.
“It’s nice to meet you again… I think you wore your hair differently when I was a kid?“
Looking out to sea, Hanna nodded and opened the icebox, handing Serena a coke. “Yup, I sure did. I wore it in a long plait down my back, caked myself in make-up, and wore the slickest outfits a girl could get her hands on… I am so glad you agreed to meet me Serena. I must say, you’ve grown since last I saw you, you were just nine years old and quite a lively little thing… You know…about your mother… I miss her too, your mom was a very special lady and an astute businesswoman… you know, I have only recently noticed your father visiting the office more regularly on behalf of Diamond Corp. I would have him thrown out, if it were up to me. But alas, I can’t do a thing.“
“Hanna… it’s my brother I am worried about. I try not to think of my father too much, but I am worried about the negative influence he is having on Sammy -- its not that Sammy is… I don’t know, bad or anything…that didn’t come out right. He isn’t bad at all, perhaps a little misguided, blinded by his ambition. He is warm and loving and I couldn’t wish for a better brother as far as our relationship as siblings goes, but…“ she trailed off, watching a wayward seagull dart into a hovering deep bleu wave to take a fish in its beak, “I don’t like who he is becoming. It’s almost as if he were being transformed into a dark shadow. He is changing somehow…“
“Hey Sere, I know, but there is something I can do. I have a friend,“ Hanna tossed back her head and swallowed the remnants of her coke and produced two fresh bottles and handed one to Serena before continuing, “His name is Andrew, and he runs a detective agency. I will ask him for advice and for his help. He handles our corporate law and internal security and is an honest man. Fortunately, he has a foot in the door at Diamond Corp. You could say, he is an inside man. I am a little suspicious of Alexander Diamond for other reasons aside from his dealings with your mother’s affairs, but what you’ve told me opens up other options and I think Andrew will be very interested in what you have to say. I will organize a meeting for next week if that’s all right with you?“
“Sure, Hanna, and thank you, I really appreciate it…“
“Think nothing of it. Tell you what... you and I have a mutual friend. Lita Green, who just so happens to run a club called, Shooting Star has the best menu in town, as you know…and Karaoke most Friday nights. I am meeting her and a few friends for drinks and a rehearsal for the police Ball. This year, they’re doing a Gothic theatrical presentation of sleeping Beauty with a little CSI thrown in for good measure. It will be fun and you will meet some amazing people…interested?“
“Why not… you’re on, I need a change of pace anyway,“ Serena agreed and they tucked into the sea-food, chicken and salad, washing it down with a light fruity white wine.
~*~
“Oh, Lita, don’t be such a bore… you are kissing that lifeless mannequin as if it were a dead fish! It’s a love scene, goddamn it…not a scene from a B-grade horror movie,“ she giggled, shaking her head, sending her blonde tresses flying about her like a dancing peacock.
“Okay smarty-pants… I would like to see you do better. And besides, Shaun isn’t available…damn it… I have no inspiration!“
“Look, let me show you how it’s done, Lita,“ Mina warbled, both women slightly inebriated. Hitching up her voluminous skirts, she almost fell flat on her face, the long black hem of her Gothic dress caught on the heel of her black leather boots. Lita, on the other hand, was dressed simply in a black T-shirt, short A-framed red mini-skirt, black fishnet stockings and silver sandals and pirate hat – her auburn hair falling loosely down her back.
After Mina regained her balance -- both women giggling uncontrollably -- she threw her hands in the air and ordered Lita to lie down on the sofa after unceremoniously tossing the practice mannequin aside, bringing forth more bouts of side-splitting laughter.
They had spent the last twenty minutes alone in the club and used the time to both practice their lines and get very tipsy, several Cruisers later, they were stumbling over their words and having a great time. “Now Lita, close your eyes and make like a sleeping princess. You are totally out of it, K. And along comes the prince… now he looks down on his princess and does his wringing of the hands bit, K? Now he gets an idea, and decides there is only one-way to revive his true love!“
Lita groaned, eyes jammed shut, enjoying the alcohol induced images of the day flashing before her closed eyelids -- almost falling asleep, “Yeah, I got it…princess is waiting for her prince…“
Without warning, Mina leant over, placing her hands against Lita’s shoulders for balance, and using an improvised mouth-to-mouth resuscitation technique, kissing Lita square on the mouth. Her eyes popped open in shock and surprise -- arms and legs flailing wildly. This brought a breathless Mina to an upright position, “That’s how you kiss the princess, not like your—“
“Humph, excuse us, girls, are we interrupting something private?“
Lita shot bolt upright, gagged and coughed, Mina waving her hands in a gesture of innocence, Hey its okay, I don’t mind girls who are inclined that certain way…“ Hanna laughed, milking the moment for all it was worth.
“I… I mean, we aren’t… You know, we are just rehearsing for a play… you know -- Sleeping Beauty, Lita can’t kiss to save herself… I was just demonstrating, using the kiss of life technique…really, I am completely heterogenic, I am a guy magnet!“
“Hey, cool your jets girl… I know you are… but I must admit, it did look as if you two were enjoying yourselves…just kidding,“ Hanna giggled as did Serena and Molly, Lita’s cousin. Hanna and Serena ducked as Lita threw a miss-directed shoe in their general direction.
After red faces and much mirth subsided, and cups of strong coffee later, the two women sat on the edge of the stage eating pizza, talking about the play.
“Hey Serena, would you like to come along Friday night?“
“I would love to, you guys are a lot of fun, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.“
But she is the best friend a girl could have,“ Lita blew her a kiss, sending the room into spasms of fresh laughter.
“I had to admit, it was funny seeing you with a high-powered handgun strapped to your hip in that Morticia dress kissing Lita senseless, Mina,“ Serena giggled, “You guys are a riot!“
“Hey, can I bring another friend of mine along? I know you guys will like her, she is an old high school friend and she can sing too! Her name is Ami Mazumo,“ Serena said cheerfully.
“You don’t mean -- the brain – I know her by reputation, she was a grade ahead of me.“ Mina laughed.
“Wow, the world is shrinking more and more everyday,“ Serena giggled. Hanna smiled as the ever-expanding crowd of patrons began to fill the club for Happy Hour.
Then to everyone’s surprise, Andrew appeared on stage and began to sing, dressed in a tux and had the young women in the audience swoon before him. Serena had to admit he was cute. Hanna, Lita, Mina and Molly were also caught up in the magic of his dulcet tones.
Don’t blame it on the moonlight.
Don’t ignore the power of the night,
Don’t blame it on the moonlight,
For the moment is right to say what’s in our hearts,
The music’s right, your eyes they shine, and our hearts are young… You’ve captured my soul, so come on my moon princess and sweep me away to your palace of stars…
