Chapter 128 - What to Wish For I watch a lot of TV. I'm something of a couch potato, so I sometimes shirk things like eating and rocking to watch TV.
The Watcher took away my TV because I wasn't rocking enough. Not to mention the fact that Thana likes making my life miserable. It's a certain, unusual dynamic we have.
When I'm not rocking or going to the bathroom, I try imagining things--but there's only so much you can imagine in a tiny white room with a chair, shower, toilet, fridge, and rocking chair. I sometimes try being Cinderella. There's only so many times you can clean a bathtub.
After being alive since the first generation of the dynasty, Lionel Ursine died. In case you can't remember (which is completely understandable), he was the son of Alexander Crumplebottom and Anne Ursine. Apparently, he was pretty cute when he was younger, but his sister, JoAnna, was the real gem of the Ursine family.
Days and nights passed in a monotonous daze, until one day a table and cake appeared in my room. I blew out the candles at the stroke of midnight.
I don't feel very different at all. I have just noticed that, although my eyes are dark brown, they look purple when I wear purple eyeliner. I wonder what would happen if I had differently colored eyeliner?
My first trip to the surface in years was for my Adult museum items. I complied, of course, and even posed for three sculptures instead of two. At the same time, I had a (shhh)
secret mission.
Success! I returned to the basement with every book from the living room bookshelf in my inventory. We've been storing up books since the first generation, so I should be kept occupied for a while.
The Watcher took my books away, but at least I have something else even better than reading (if such a thing were possible) to keep me busy for the day.
Pete has a job as a Stylist, just like Stephen. It means that it's difficult for him to come over, but at least he's easy to track down.
Once the Salon closed, we walked down to Maywood Glen, together, and I kissed my boyfriend for the first time in--how long? Fifteen years, at least, give or take a few.
But then, just as I was the happiest I had been in a very long time--Pete carefully disengaged himself and pulled away.
"
Pete? What's--"
"
Look," he said uncomfortably, "
it's really great to see you and everything, but Arnuflo's birthday is today and--well, he's my kid brother."
"
No, today isn't Arnuflo's birthday," I answered, frowning thoughtfully. "
I remember that he invited me to his birthday party a few weeks ago, and of course I couldn't come, but . . ."
"
Anyway, I just have to go."
With that, he awkwardly released my hand and ran off towards the road, leaving me standing alone in the dark. Despite myself, I felt a tear trickle down my face, followed by another, then a third. I angrily wiped them away. "
No," I muttered, "
I will not be the damsel in distress!" And I started walking.
I drifted silently through the little grove of trees, my bare feet barely making a sound on the soft grass, until grass gave way to sand and I found myself standing on the beach, gazing out over the ocean. I have always loved the ocean, and now it reflects the stars in its mirror-like surface. Perhaps if I look into the ocean, it will show me my soul.
(Author's Note: So sorry, hate to interrupt the moment, but this is my favorite picture of anything. Ever.)
"
I read the books," came a quiet voice from behind me. "
Every time you published something new, I went out and bought it, then read it cover-to-cover. Towards the end, I practically lived at the bookstore. I would sleep on the bench outside until it opened."
I processed silently for a moment, then spoke. "
Are you cheating on me?"
"
No!" Pete answered in alarm. "
Why would you--"
"
You don't want to see me, you 'just had to go,' and you won't make eye contact with me."
"
Well, if it makes you feel better, I'm not. It's just that . . ." he glanced down at the sand "
I have a life, you know. A job, a family, friends--and you're just not in it. I would like to have you in my life all the time, but I've adjusted to knowing that isn't possible. And now you just show up and expect that everything up here has been paused while you were gone?"
"
Are you saying that you want to break up? Because if you do, I--"
Before I could finish talking, Pete kissed me. "
No, of course not," he said gently. "
I love you, and I know I said that I could wait--and I can. I really, truly can. It's just harder than I expected."
We danced at the coffee shop, until I suddenly blurted out--"
You grew out your hair!"
"
Having a birthday will do that to a townie," he laughed. "
Don't worry, I'll cut it for you on our wedding day."
As the late night shifted to early morning, I heard the tolling of the bell. My dress would transform to rags any second now. "
I should go, now, before I'm driving home in a pumpkin."
He just smiled. "
I'll be waiting--even if it is hard."
"
The pain only makes the end sweeter."
Twenty-one years passed. I rocked, and ate, and rocked some more. For a few years, towards the end, I took a page out of Grandpa's book and "embraced nature," which was . . . interesting, to say the least. Somewhat liberating, which is all I could ask for in a basement.
Meanwhile, paparazzi passed away by the dozen. The graves were stored in Bree's inventory, and once a week she visited the graveyard to place them in the mausoleum.
Finally, after what seemed eternity, I stood in front of my birthday cake with a heavy, but hopeful, heart.
What to wish for . . . Everything I had ever wanted was about to happen.
