Chapter Nine


Claudia walked out of the room wearing a long black skirt with a slit up the left side. She had perfectly tanned legs, so she didn't have much to worry about. She had on an adorable crisscross white shirt that revealed a bit of her breasts, but she was wearing a bra. She also had on black, high heeled shoes. Not the old fashioned ones, but the new ones with leather straps crossing all over the feet.
We were out of the hotel by seven. She always rushes me. To my surprise, Shawn was waiting out in the lobby. He came up to me and smiled. Of course. He looked at me then flashed a brilliant smile at Claudia. He liked what he saw with her. We said our greetings then we were off. There was a little bit of an argument about what vehicle we were going in, but I told Shawn I wasn't going anywhere with him if we didn't take my car. He agreed. It's nice to have someone give in so easily.
Claudia decided to drive, which was alright with me. I just stared out the window looking at all the pretty houses once again. What a nice place to life.
"Claud. Wanna move here one day?"
She looked at me as if I'd made a joke.
"What?"
She took one hand off the steering wheel and placed one finger on her lips. "Sara, I'm just so stunned that you would even think of moving. You love Texas so much."
"Yeah, but it seems the rest of my family is out here." I let my index finger softly touch the window.
"You're right. You know that where ever you go, I go. I can't live without you, girl."
"Yeah, I know," I began staring out into the wide open spaces again.
My mind flashed back to a time when my life was actually good. It was at a birthday party for my sister. She was twelve years old that day. My mom was actually happy. That was a change. My granny was there trying to keep the cat I'd resurrected away from the presents. Before the day had ended, Julie had fell into the little two feet deep pool she had gotten. She was drenched, but so cute. Her hair was more reddish then. She was adorable.
"Sara?"
My eyes focused on the building in front of me.
"What?"
Claudia was already out of the car knocking on the window. "You want to come in?"
I smiled and said, "of course."
She opened the door for me and let me out. "Thanks."
She guided my way into the building.
When I stepped into The Downward Spiral, the place looked completely different then it did in the afternoon. It had a disco ball placed in the center of the ceiling. The tables were filled. The bar was filled. The place was filled with smoke, but you could still breathe freely. Don't ask me how.
Claudia took my arm and jerked me to where Shawn was sitting. He was at the front of the stage, which was completely to my left. There with him was a tall brunette with curly hair down to his shoulders. He had a square jaw and a dimple right in the middle of his chin. He was moderately built. He was wearing an adorable green plaid shirt and brown khaki pants. He and Shawn stood at the same time as Claudia and I approached them.
The brunette offered his hand and I shook it politely. "Hello, I'm Richard Zeeman."
He smiled and geez.. He was gorgeous. "I'm Sara Pezzini," my hand motioned over to Claudia, "This is Claudia Franchetti."
He shook her hand and then we sat down.
Since the table was facing the stage, none of us could sit on the side that would block any other person's view. So Richard sat to my left, Claudia sat directly to my right, and Shawn to her right. I think she liked Shawn. Oh well. Crushes never last long anyway. We've learned not to fight over guys. Whoever gets him gets him. No need to bitch about it. Claud likes Shawn. I'm out of the running. Big deal. Hehe.
Richard and I started talking. We found out more information about each other. Hmmm. Richard is a junior high science teacher. Goody for the mother of those children.
"So Richard, how long have you lived in St. Louis?"
"Basically all my life."
"Well, that's good," I was about to ask another question, but the lights went out.
My attention was drawn to the stage. A man in a black tuxedo sat next to the grand piano on stage. The piano was further back then it had been earlier. He started playing a sweet little jingle when a tall beautiful black woman walked on stage. She was wearing an elegant almost see through tan colored sequin dress that was radiant on her. Her silky black hair was pulled back away from her face. It shimmered underneath the spotlight. Her makeup was delicately applied. She had one muscular leg showing because of the slit in her dress. She looked about twenty-four, but from the power I was receiving from her, she was more like six hundred. A vampire, right? No doubt.
"Welcome to my.." She paused for a second. "Humble abode." She smiled at the entire crowd. They were all in awe. I wasn't buying it. I looked over at Claudia and she felt the same way. We shrugged it off.
Her voice was extremely intimate. Touching people in places only lovers have touched. Voices like that piss me off.
"If you notice, my friends, the disco ball was an added pleasure tonight. For tonight, we will have a little bit of a different feel. I feel some power among us," her hand motioned near us, "in this general area."
I frowned. I knew what she was getting at.
She walked to the edge of the stage and pointed her finger at me.
"Miss, will you please accompany me on stage?"
I shook my head at her, but she didn't give up. She decided to come down and get me herself. I changed my mind and yelled, "I'm coming. Go back on stage."
She smiled and nodded. The only word that flowed to my mind now was 'bitch'.
Claudia ducked down and begged me to stay. I told her no. Richard smiled at me and wished me luck. Ah crap.