Just another ordinary day in Ohio. As always. You pray, you help family and you pray again. Same old, same old. Coming from a religious family has some advantages and disadvantages. You get to study. Obviously nothing like science because that defeats the idea of god but you know how to read and write. You learn arts and you communicate with people. The disadvantages for one are that everything is related back to god. You don't get to study sciences, in which I was really interested and also everybody expects you to stay in the church 'business' as I liked to call it.
"Carlisle stop day dreaming. You have a lot to do." My father lectured.
"Yes father." I replied as I continued cleaning the floor and started blowing out the candles. I was stuck in the boring repetitive job that I hated. I didn't get to listen to people's problems and help them but I got to mop up after they walked in this 'sacred' building. Don't get me wrong god may exist but I do not believe that he controlled our lives. People themselves control their lives and obviously the people around them. As I continued my internal debate I realised that I had finished what I was supposed to be doing and was free from my personal hell. How strange. To me this place was hell, to some it was a safe house. Heaven so to speak. As I put away the washing cloth and grabbed my jacket I announced to my father that I was leaving. When I received no answer it was normal. My father hated me not caring about the church. He made it very clear that he did not want me as a son. Oh well you can't chose your family. I left the church and set my target to the hidden bar. It was a place where many others like me went. The occasional lower class or upper class would turn up. Everybody was welcome men and women alike but mainly it was middle class folk like myself. The beer was cheap and there was entertainment. I got to let loose. I would spend hours there.
As I reached my destination I noticed that at the bar were a few upper class ladies however I made no fuss over it and ordered my beer. At that point my friend John walked up.
"Carlisle, how's the church duty going?" John laughed.
"The same. Literally. I mean how much can happen in a place where everybody worships this 'thing' that nobody apart from a couple of crazy men have seen."
"Sounds, very boring." John concluded.
"Just a bit. How's daddy's bank doing?" I asked and sipped on my beer.
"Not too bad. But I am stuck in the same situation as you. I clean. That's it and according to my father I have years more to learn. I'm going crazy. Rich people have it so easy. They can do whatever they want. To be honest I have no idea why those four ladies are here." John said and pointed at the four obviously rich, young women were sitting cigarettes in hand. As mine and John's conversation got lighter I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"Hello." The blonde, rich woman said over the music.
"Hello Miss." I replied and bowed my head a little.
"My name is Barbara, and I had a bet with my friends which I lost so I was made to ask a man from this bar to dance." She smiled and continued "and it seems like you are the most decent here. So will you dance with me?"
"Very well." I replied and gently led Barbara onto the dance floor. The music was relatively fast and Barbara and I began dancing in rhythm to the song. Not long after starting, Barbara started to develop a smile on her face and relaxed more in my arms. Once the song finished Barbara did a little curtsey and said:
"Thank you…" her features showed shock as she remembered that she did not know my name.
"Carlisle." I helped her.
"Well thank you Carlisle." She gave me an easy smile and returned to her friends. I left the dance floor and got another beer. Whilst I was dancing with Barbara my table had filled up. My friends Christopher, Daniel, William and David were now at my table with John. Conversation went smoothly many of us lighting a cigar that William had brought along to the bar. The atmosphere was light and fun. Because today was a Friday I had to go to the church later tomorrow giving me time to get over a hangover if I got one. So many drinking games went on during that night. However I was not drunk. It helped that I was a heavy weight seventeen year old man. As the bar tender shift changed I saw my female best friend entered. Betty and I met here about two years ago when I first found this place.
"Well, well, well if it isn't Betty." I said as I reached the bar.
"Carlisle!" Betty greeted me and gave me a solid hug.
"How are you this fine evening?"
"I am very well thank you. I was wondering when I was going to see you again. Where have you been this time?" Betty scolded.
"I've been reading." I honestly replied.
"But you weren't here for your birthday." Betty pushed her point.
"Yes, I wasn't. I didn't want to have a big fuss over it. I mean it doesn't mean anything just that I have spent one more year slaving for my father and that I will not get my dream any time soon." I replied.
"Carlisle. I know for a fact that you will have your dream and more. Because you're a good person. Good things happen to those who wait."
"Thanks Betty."
"And I didn't get to give you my present." Betty smiled.
"Betty you didn't have to give me anything."
"Silly. Of course I did. I owe you so much more. Take it as a thank you for Andrew, now wait here." Betty ran to the little room behind the bar. Andrew was my best friend from childhood and I had introduced him to Betty about a year ago and they hit it off very well and now are engaged.
"So what did you get me?" I asked Betty when she emerged from the room with a little box.
"Find out for yourself." Betty replied handing me the box.
I slowly began to open the box and found a load of books on medicine and science. I stared in shock at the books. "How did you get theses?" I asked.
"I have a friend in England and he's a doctor and he doesn't need them anymore, and he promised that any other books he finds he'll send me. Oh and he told me how if you want you could maybe go to England and stay with him whilst studying medicine. He'll finance it." She finished and I looked at her amazed.
"This is the best gift. Ever." I screamed and grabbed Betty. Both of us laughing out of happiness I kept twirling Betty around and after our little moment we had a long conversation however in the middle of it I noticed a rich looking boy enter the bar. Shortly after I heard:
"God damn it. I don't care."
"Esme. I'm being serious."
"UHH! I DON'T CARE. TELL HIM TO CRAWL IN A WHOLE AND DIE!" A woman with caramel coloured hair rushed passed me and looked like she was about to cry.
"Betty do you mind, if I go look after her. I wouldn't want her to get into trouble and reveal this place."
"Sure Carlisle. Go get her." Betty smiled.
I rushed outside to see the woman walking down the alley to a little park that was not far away from the bar.
"Excuse me miss?" I yelled.
"WHAT NOW?" She screamed.
"I was just checking if you were alright." I assured her.
"Oh…I'm sorry for bursting like that." She apologized.
"Oh no need to apologize. I would be annoyed too if somebody was interrupting my storming out process." I laughed and got a little laugh out of her, which was the most beautiful sound I had heard.
"So…My friend Barbara really enjoyed dancing with you." The woman said.
"That's nice. But may I ask why you were at the bar. I mean we see all sorts of people but not really upper class ladies."
"My friend Ruth is getting married in two days and she wanted to act wild." She laughed.
"Congratulations." I said.
"So what is a handsome gentleman like you doing there?"
"It is my get away place. I let loose without judgement there." I explained.
"You escape often?"
"Whenever I can."
"Well as much as I would like this conversation to never end I have to go." She smiled and started walking off. "Oh…umm…Sir!" She yelled and walked over to me.
"Yes?" I smiled.
"May I ask what your name is?"
"I'm Carlisle." I informed her.
"Is there a surname that goes with that?" She laughed.
"Cullen." I smiled.
"Well it's nice to meet you Carlisle Cullen. I'm Esme Plat." She introduced herself.
"It's nice to meet you Esme Plat," I said and took her hand and kissed her middle knuckle which sent electric signals through my body and by the expression on Esme's face she felt it too "Goodnight."
"Goodnight." Esme said and walked off. I had a feeling she was different. She was special.
