Chapter Nine:

Ninth Encounter: Age Ten and three-quarters

Mysteri's birthday was coming up, and she had a problem. It began only weeks before, when her mother was driving her home from school, and she asked, "Darling, what do you want for your birthday?"

And for the very first time, the young girl had no clue.

She had everything she could want. For Christmas that year her mother had gotten her, her own keyboard, and other relatives had pitched in on the idea by giving her music books and piano tutorials on CDs. As long as she had all that music in her life, what more could she desire?

At this point, it was clear that she was not like most children. Instead of wanting Barbies or clothes for any holiday, she wanted sheet music, books, and new songs to learn. She was much more introspective than most kids her age, and when she lost her temper she did not scream or shout… she was stern, quiet, and defiant. All the kids in her school knew she was different, but luckily, she had one amazing quality that made her accepted: she was very kind, and always helpful. She did not talk down to her peers when they didn't understand something, and she could. Instead, she took to Erik's way of teaching someone-by explaining something in terms that they would understand. Children like this were considered an odd treasure, and rare. Having someone like her be bright for her age, and who got along well in a social setting, was an odd mix. That summer the school called her mother, and suggested that Mysteri could skip a grade, if she so desired. But she had refused, adamantly.

"I want to stay with my friends." She said. "You know I wouldn't leave Patti and everyone for the world."

So that was the end of that discussion, and she would go on to sixth grade, like planned, and not seventh. But of course, world of this got around to other parents, and thus the students in her class found out. They all had more respect than ever for Mysteri. Even though she had the option to go onto the middle school, with the rest of the 'big kids' she stayed with them, and opted for friendship over advancement. Maybe the students didn't realize this in such big terms, but it did touch them deeply, and instinctively, they knew of the opportunity she had given up to be with them.

And with all this background, it was easy to understand why Mysteri wasn't sure what she wanted for her birthday. And why her mother was also clueless about what to get her.

Three weeks before her birthday, Mysteri laid in bed, twirling the bracelet from Erik around her wrist. Of course, like she always did at night, she was thinking. Why was she so different from most of her classmates? Around them she knew that they looked up to her, as almost being a leader, but most of them were actually a year older than her. She didn't know why so many kids went to her for advice and help (may it be with music or their studies in class) but even though the difference in her wasn't unwelcome, it still made her question why. Then suddenly, she remembered what Erik had told her years ago, when they first met:

"Mysteri, do you know you're special?" He had asked.

"We're all special." She'd answered, "At least, that's what my teacher, Mrs. Flowers, said."

"I suppose that could be true. But some people are more special than others, and in different ways. You're one of those people."

Maybe, the way she acted and thought (mixed with her musical ability), was what he had meant by her being special. And maybe… being more special didn't mean she was better or worse than anyone. Perhaps it just made her different. And who said that different was a bad thing?

"Erik, am I right?" She asked aloud. "I wish I knew!"

"Then let me answer you."

She smiled at hearing his voice, and she fell back against the mattress, preparing herself to be taken away again.

When she opened her eyes once more, she was not outside, by lying on the cabin bed. Nearby Erik was distracted playing the piano, and hadn't noticed she was awake. Mysteri listened, and immediately recognized the tune.

"I love Fur Elise." She said, "I'm learning it now. It's by Mozart, if I can remember right."

He looked up at her, and smiled. "No, it's actually Beethoven. It's a common mistake. They're very close era wise."

She nodded, and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She stood up stretching her arms above her head, and she walked over to him. She looked down, and noticed that he now had a wooden piano bench, instead of just his desk chair. She smiled warmly, and sat down next to him.

"Ah, now she plays." He said. She let out a giggle, and began playing The Entertainer.

"Chopin." He stated, right away.

She nodded. "Very good. Now… can you guess this one?" She began playing another piece, something that sounded more modern.

"I don't think I've heard this." He admitted.

She burst into laughter, and began singing to the music:

"Say, Candy and Ronnie, have you seen them yet

But they're so spaced out, B-B-B-Bennie and the Jets

Oh but they're weird and they're wonderful

Oh Bennie she's really keen

She's got electric boots a mohair suit

You know I read it in a magazine

B-B-B-Bennie and the Jets"

"I guess it's VERY modern music." He said, "I'm sorry, I'm not into what's played nowadays."

"It's a song called Bennie and the Jets." She explained, lifting her hands off the keys, "An artist named Elton John wrote it. It was my mom's favorite song when she was about my age. I learned it for her. When I sang it, she was shocked at how many different styles of song I can do."

He smiled. "You can go from singing opera to modern music. How versatile you are. Though, I like it better when you sing for the stage."

She nodded. "I do too. It sounds more me."

He looked down at her, and said, "Dear… if you want to sing that kind of music, you need voice lessons."

"I know." She admitted. "I just don't know how to ask my mom for them."

"Well… it's what you want, right?"

"Yes."

"Then, ask for them for your birthday."

"Oh my, Erik, you're great! That's an awesome idea!" She cried, "I didn't even think about that!"

"Of course not. You don't ask for anything that much."

She looked down at the bracelet around her wrist, trying to hide the blush coming to her cheeks.

"You really like that bracelet, don't you?" He asked.

She nodded. "Yes, I do."

He put a hand under her chin, and turned her face to his. "Then… I wonder. What is this behind your ear?"

He reached toward the left side of her head, and pulled out a chandelier earring, made out of the same material as her bracelet. She gasped, in shock and delight.

"And, on the other side…" His fingers met her right temple, while the left grasped another earring behind her right ear.

"Oh, Erik, how did you …" She began, but he lifted his hand.

"The magic show isn't done yet." He said. "Now… what's this in your hair?"

His hand went to the back of her head, and gently pulled out a necklace from her locks. It matched the earrings and bracelet, and he gently clasped it around her neck, while she went to work setting the earrings in her ears.

"And…" He got out a handkerchief from his pocket, placed it over his fisted hand, then lifted it two seconds later. Underneath, clutched in his fingers, was a red rose. "That is all, ma cherie."

"Oh, thank you, Erik." She said, as he handed her the rose. After doing so, he held his hand in hers, and kissed the back of it.

"Happy birthday, Mysteri." He said.

"It is very happy indeed."

"Now, since you don't have a man in your house to explain something to you, may I make a step on my soapbox for a minute?"

She smiled. "I will never stop you from speaking what you truly have to say."

"Thank you. Now… how do I say this?" He cleared his throat, and then began his speech. "Mysteri, you're a very pretty girl. You've always been very pretty, but now, you're becoming a pretty young woman. You're turning eleven for heaven's sake, and this is your last year of intermediate school. Boys are going to start noticing you, and… maybe this isn't my place to say this, but someone has to tell you. When you start dating, find a boy who's respectable towards you. Make sure his hands don't wander to certain places. To a man, you are a princess, and he should treat you like such."

"So, he should treat you like you treat me?"

Erik froze, the statement obviously taking him back. "He should treat you better than I do."

"But no one has ever treated me as well as you do." She reached up, and touched his cheek… well, more like mask. "You've been my friend for almost six years. No one I know has had friends for that long."

"We're different than everyone else." He said, "You know that."

All of a sudden, she felt that tiredness come over her, and she leaned against his shoulder. "Erik…"

"I know Mysteri. Until next time. Good night."

"Good night."

"Don't fear the future…"

"We'll always be together." She finished.

The next morning she walked downstairs, to find her mom fixing breakfast. She pulled up a stool and sat across the room, waiting for her to ask her usual morning question.

"Good morning Mysteri." Her mother said.

"Good morning Mom." She greeted.

"So, have you thought about what you've wanted for your birthday?"
She smiled. "Mom, I want voice lessons."

Songs used: "Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John, "Fur Elise" by Beethoven, "The Entertainer" by Chopin