MICHAEL (cont'd):
Joshua started talking to a priest, and often cut our chats
short so he could talk to the man. I started thinking that it would be
nice to talk to someone who is, well, kind of an expert with death.
Who would I talk to if I knew I was going to die?
Mia and I spent those hours he was with the priest doing things
to make her happy. Well, she would invite me shopping and I didn't
want her to go by herself so I would go along with her.
"You should wear this," she said, holding a nice shirt in front
of me, "It'll bring out your eyes..."
She stared up at my eyes for a brief moment, but then turned her
gaze elsewhere, "You always had really nice eyes." She stole quick
looks at my eyes. Her eyelids flicked up and down like butterfly
wings.
"When you are queen you have got to try to attract some better
stores," I said once we were on the sidewalk.
"What are you talking about?" she said with a confused
expression.
"I mean, sure you guys have some upscale stuff that basically
only the rich can afford. But what about the regular tourist? They
aren't going to want Chanel or Gucci. Get some cool retro stores, ya
know?"
She shrugged, "I haven't worn those kinds of clothes since I was
a teenager."
"You don't own any jeans?" I said stopping were I was in shock.
"Nope. Grandmere does not believe they are princess like. She
says I look common in them."
I put my arm around her in a platonic way, "You could never look
common," I assured her. "Never."
MIA:
I found myself conflicted. I wanted to spend as much time with
Joshua as possible, but he wouldn't let me spend more than an hour
with him at a time. That is, a day. I started spending any spare time
with Michael.
Sure I had princess duties to attend to, but there were hours
that needed to be filled.
"Amelia, I am sending you on official business to Monaco. Your
cousin Rene is celebrating his thirtieth birthday. You must go and
represent the family," she announced. She handed a note to her
personal assistant, William.
"Grandmere...I mustant. I have Joshua here..."
"Amelia, it is only an over night trip."
I tried to think of a way out of it. "I do not have an escort. I
can't."
"Michael can escort you of course."
"You know, he is on vacation. I cannot be asking him to-"I
started as Michael entered the room. He bowed to Grandmere and winked
at me.
"Asking who to do what?" he asked, sitting next to me.
I looked at Grandmere. "I have a ball I must attend."
"That isn't answering my question totally, Princess."
I took a deep breath. "I know that you don't really go for the
whole, formal thing, but would you want to be my escort?" I closed my
eyes, nervous.
"Sure. No problem."
Two days later I was being placed in my gown by my ladies in
waiting. I saw Grandmere's assistant, William stop by my room,
"Princess Amelia, you look stunning!" he exclaimed. He was different
than all the other Palace workers.
"Thanks William. I can't breathe, but thanks," I said with a
laugh. He handed me a box. "What is this?" I asked.
"Your grandmother asked that I deliver this to you."
I opened it and found a stunning necklace. "It's beautiful,"
William said after I opened it.
"It's too much..."
"It's perfect," he said. "May I?"
I nodded and allowed him to place it on my neck. I looked into
my full length mirror. I looked different than before. Grown up
almost.
"I must go see Joshua, before I leave," I said stammering.
I walked down the long hall. My thoughts were all fuzzy. This
would be the first formal event in five years that I didn't have
Joshua on my arm. I took a deep breath, and started to open the door,
but heard Joshua's voice; I didn't know who he was talking to.
"I know how to dance," I heard Michael's voice say.
"I'm not saying you don't," Joshua argued. "Just, do you know
how to dance with Mia?"
Michael laughed, "Joshua, come on man. I danced with her before
you did man. Chill out, will ya? It's just a silly ball."
"But if you two are going to work out you must make this
perfect."
"Joshua, who is even saying that –"
"Humor a dying man..."
I could just see Michael sighing. "Look, I am not promising
anything."
I hid in a hallway as Michael came out. He walked in the
opposite direction, toward the main foyer to wait for me. I waited a
few minutes and then went into Joshua's room.
"Hey," I said softly.
A smile crept across his face, "Mia."
"I wanted to come in before I left for Monaco."
He reached for my hand. "Have fun darling."
"I will. But not as much fun as I would have with you."
He sighed, "Mia, you will have fun. Dance, flirt, be the
wonderful girl I know you are."
"Flirt?"
"Think I don't sense the flirting between you and Michael?"
I was glad he couldn't see my smile, "Joshua, you know that's
not true."
"Have fun, Princess. I'm going to take a nap. I'll talk to you
tomorrow."
I walked down the grand staircase. Michael was waiting
nervously. He looked handsome, unconventional though. Most of the men
at the ball would be wearing customary black tuxedos. Not my Michael
though. He had a white jacket and his hair still loose around his
face. I was happy he wasn't making it greased back. Thank goodness.
"Her Royal Highness, Princess Amelia!" William announced. I
wished he hadn't done that. I liked seeing Michael when he didn't know
he was being watched. He turned to me and his face was...I can't begin
to describe the expression.
MICHAEL:
I turned after that William guy announced Mia's arrival. She
absolutely took my breath away. Her hair was swept up in tight
ringlets. Her face was flawless. I wonder how make up people can get
rid of zits (she and I had gone over the fact that people our age
should not have zits still, she had one on the corner of her nose.)
Her dress...it fit in all the right places. It was very similar to
the one she wore to the prom. It was a deep aqua color with sequins
all over it. The train followed her by about three feet.
"Princess," I said, extending my hand.
She smiled and took my hand. Her grandmother appeared with
William behind her. "Amelia?"
Mia turned to her grandmother, "Yes Grandmere?"
"I have something for you. William?"
He appeared with a big wooden box.
Grandmere opened it and showed a beautiful tiara. Mia had worn
tiara's before, but this one was different.
Mia looked at it in shock. "Grandmere...that's too much."
"Amelia, just wear it. You are representing our family. Wear
it."
Grandmere placed the tiara on Mia's head. "Thank you,
Grandmere."
We rode in the limousine in silence for awhile. "You look
wonderful," I finally managed.
She smiled, "Thanks, Michael. The dress is so heavy!"
"I would think the tiara would be."
"No, not at all. I'm used to that."
We entered the ball through a back door. We were going to be
announced. I was biting my lip. "Michael, chill out," she whispered.
She pushed some hair away from my face. "I want everyone to see that I
have the most handsome date," she said with a sly smile.
"Too bad that guy is back home, huh?" I asked.
She gave me a weird look, then started walking toward the
ballroom.
We got some stares as we were announced, but Mia told me to
ignore it. If people wanted to know about Joshua, they would find out
on their own. We weren't going to discuss it.
We shared a waltz first, then took our seats at Rene's table.
She introduced me to family members and other people of noble blood.
I got up to go to the bar a little while later. I saw a girl
whispering to Mia, causing Mia to smile and look at me. She blushed
when I caught her looking at me.
"What was that all about?" I asked when I came back with a
drink.
"What?" she asked, looking in every direction but to me.
I took her hand, "That woman. Who was that?"
"That is my third cousin, Arianna. She was asking me who you
are."
"And you said that I am your mister...wait, what is the masculine
form of mistress?"
She laughed, "A mister?"
"Possibly. What else do we have to do here?"
"Possible dancing. Possible mingling?" she replied.
"How old is this Arianna?" I asked, teasingly.
"Sixteen," she replied.
My mouth dropped, "That is sixteen?" I asked, motioning toward
the girl. She defiantly looked at least twenty.
"Here's a napkin to catch your drool," Mia said, handing me a
nice napkin.
A Frank Sinatra song came on and most couples stood and walked
to the dance floor. I stood and said, "Princess Amelia, would you do
me the honor?"
She held back a giggle, "Why of course."
We danced all evening, ignoring everyone else. We joked
and laughed and...and I started thinking things I had no right to think
about.
We stayed in Rene's summer home that evening, separate rooms of
course. But we didn't go to bed until very early the next morning.
"Okay, okay," she giggled. "Buffy, or Sarah Michelle Geller."
"Same person."
"No, Buffy is a no nonsense bitch. Sarah is a sweet girl."
I laughed, "Buffy. Flexiblity is important. Fine. Leonardo
DiCaprio or Jack Dawson."
"Jack Dawson, definitely. Leo is a man whore."
"Never thought of it before huh?" I teased.
I put on my Buffy DVD. The show went off air almost eight years
ago but I never grew tired of it.
"Of course I have. What else am I supposed to do in the palace
while I'm all alone?"
"Joshua?"
She smiled at the mere mention of his name. "What am I going to
do a-after...after he's gone? My life was him..."
"Maybe you should not have allowed a man to become your whole
life," I replied.
"I love him. When you love someone they automatically become
your life. Haven't you ever felt like that?" she asked innocently.
I tried not to laugh. Love didn't really exist anymore, not for
me. Not if I couldn't have...not if ... "Once," I answered simply. "A
while ago though. I gotta go."
I left the room and went to sleep. I didn't want to be close to
her anymore.
"Michael!" she called out after me. I turned back and poked my
head into her room.
"Yes?"
"Thank you for a wonderful evening. I had a lot of fun."
"You deserve it."
"Michael?" Joshua asked near the end of one of our chats, three weeks
after he returned.
"Yeah?"
"I'm not getting better. I'm getting worse, I can feel it."
"Joshua, c'mon man, don't get like-"
"No, Michael. Just listen to me now."
"Okay, shoot man."
"I consider you a good friend now."
"Likewise."
"And I know that Mia cherishes you as well."
"I wouldn't say cherishes, but okay."
"Anyways, I am going to ask you to watch out for her after I go.
I think you would be the best match for her-"
"Oh come on Joshua, please don't be making these kinds of wishes-
"
"I'm serious. I know you two are meant to be together. I was
getting in the way."
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"You guys think I can't see anything at all? I can tell what
kind of look she's making by the tone of her voice. That's how well I
know her. She loves you, I don't think she ever stopped."
"She never has loved me," I argued.
"Oh she has. She even told me a few years ago that you were her
first love. She doesn't think I remember it because she told me when
we were only friends. But I do remember it. I had seen your picture
and she told me that you had been her one true love throughout high
school."
"Man, nothing is going on between us."
"Maybe not now," he whispered, "But there will be, soon. I want
you to know you have my blessing."
"Joshua, I don't want your damn blessing. Nothing is going to
happen with us."
"Michael, be honest here with me. Man to man, you have no
feelings for my girlfriend? Honestly. Remember, I am in a weakened
state so I cannot do very much."
I smiled and laughed a little, "Okay, so I had a thing for her
before. But now we're just going to be friends. I'll promise to grill
any guy she dates," I promised.
"Grill yourself. I'm going to sleep. Take it easy Michael," he
said rudely.
I didn't know that that would be the last time I would ever talk
to him.
Joshua started talking to a priest, and often cut our chats
short so he could talk to the man. I started thinking that it would be
nice to talk to someone who is, well, kind of an expert with death.
Who would I talk to if I knew I was going to die?
Mia and I spent those hours he was with the priest doing things
to make her happy. Well, she would invite me shopping and I didn't
want her to go by herself so I would go along with her.
"You should wear this," she said, holding a nice shirt in front
of me, "It'll bring out your eyes..."
She stared up at my eyes for a brief moment, but then turned her
gaze elsewhere, "You always had really nice eyes." She stole quick
looks at my eyes. Her eyelids flicked up and down like butterfly
wings.
"When you are queen you have got to try to attract some better
stores," I said once we were on the sidewalk.
"What are you talking about?" she said with a confused
expression.
"I mean, sure you guys have some upscale stuff that basically
only the rich can afford. But what about the regular tourist? They
aren't going to want Chanel or Gucci. Get some cool retro stores, ya
know?"
She shrugged, "I haven't worn those kinds of clothes since I was
a teenager."
"You don't own any jeans?" I said stopping were I was in shock.
"Nope. Grandmere does not believe they are princess like. She
says I look common in them."
I put my arm around her in a platonic way, "You could never look
common," I assured her. "Never."
MIA:
I found myself conflicted. I wanted to spend as much time with
Joshua as possible, but he wouldn't let me spend more than an hour
with him at a time. That is, a day. I started spending any spare time
with Michael.
Sure I had princess duties to attend to, but there were hours
that needed to be filled.
"Amelia, I am sending you on official business to Monaco. Your
cousin Rene is celebrating his thirtieth birthday. You must go and
represent the family," she announced. She handed a note to her
personal assistant, William.
"Grandmere...I mustant. I have Joshua here..."
"Amelia, it is only an over night trip."
I tried to think of a way out of it. "I do not have an escort. I
can't."
"Michael can escort you of course."
"You know, he is on vacation. I cannot be asking him to-"I
started as Michael entered the room. He bowed to Grandmere and winked
at me.
"Asking who to do what?" he asked, sitting next to me.
I looked at Grandmere. "I have a ball I must attend."
"That isn't answering my question totally, Princess."
I took a deep breath. "I know that you don't really go for the
whole, formal thing, but would you want to be my escort?" I closed my
eyes, nervous.
"Sure. No problem."
Two days later I was being placed in my gown by my ladies in
waiting. I saw Grandmere's assistant, William stop by my room,
"Princess Amelia, you look stunning!" he exclaimed. He was different
than all the other Palace workers.
"Thanks William. I can't breathe, but thanks," I said with a
laugh. He handed me a box. "What is this?" I asked.
"Your grandmother asked that I deliver this to you."
I opened it and found a stunning necklace. "It's beautiful,"
William said after I opened it.
"It's too much..."
"It's perfect," he said. "May I?"
I nodded and allowed him to place it on my neck. I looked into
my full length mirror. I looked different than before. Grown up
almost.
"I must go see Joshua, before I leave," I said stammering.
I walked down the long hall. My thoughts were all fuzzy. This
would be the first formal event in five years that I didn't have
Joshua on my arm. I took a deep breath, and started to open the door,
but heard Joshua's voice; I didn't know who he was talking to.
"I know how to dance," I heard Michael's voice say.
"I'm not saying you don't," Joshua argued. "Just, do you know
how to dance with Mia?"
Michael laughed, "Joshua, come on man. I danced with her before
you did man. Chill out, will ya? It's just a silly ball."
"But if you two are going to work out you must make this
perfect."
"Joshua, who is even saying that –"
"Humor a dying man..."
I could just see Michael sighing. "Look, I am not promising
anything."
I hid in a hallway as Michael came out. He walked in the
opposite direction, toward the main foyer to wait for me. I waited a
few minutes and then went into Joshua's room.
"Hey," I said softly.
A smile crept across his face, "Mia."
"I wanted to come in before I left for Monaco."
He reached for my hand. "Have fun darling."
"I will. But not as much fun as I would have with you."
He sighed, "Mia, you will have fun. Dance, flirt, be the
wonderful girl I know you are."
"Flirt?"
"Think I don't sense the flirting between you and Michael?"
I was glad he couldn't see my smile, "Joshua, you know that's
not true."
"Have fun, Princess. I'm going to take a nap. I'll talk to you
tomorrow."
I walked down the grand staircase. Michael was waiting
nervously. He looked handsome, unconventional though. Most of the men
at the ball would be wearing customary black tuxedos. Not my Michael
though. He had a white jacket and his hair still loose around his
face. I was happy he wasn't making it greased back. Thank goodness.
"Her Royal Highness, Princess Amelia!" William announced. I
wished he hadn't done that. I liked seeing Michael when he didn't know
he was being watched. He turned to me and his face was...I can't begin
to describe the expression.
MICHAEL:
I turned after that William guy announced Mia's arrival. She
absolutely took my breath away. Her hair was swept up in tight
ringlets. Her face was flawless. I wonder how make up people can get
rid of zits (she and I had gone over the fact that people our age
should not have zits still, she had one on the corner of her nose.)
Her dress...it fit in all the right places. It was very similar to
the one she wore to the prom. It was a deep aqua color with sequins
all over it. The train followed her by about three feet.
"Princess," I said, extending my hand.
She smiled and took my hand. Her grandmother appeared with
William behind her. "Amelia?"
Mia turned to her grandmother, "Yes Grandmere?"
"I have something for you. William?"
He appeared with a big wooden box.
Grandmere opened it and showed a beautiful tiara. Mia had worn
tiara's before, but this one was different.
Mia looked at it in shock. "Grandmere...that's too much."
"Amelia, just wear it. You are representing our family. Wear
it."
Grandmere placed the tiara on Mia's head. "Thank you,
Grandmere."
We rode in the limousine in silence for awhile. "You look
wonderful," I finally managed.
She smiled, "Thanks, Michael. The dress is so heavy!"
"I would think the tiara would be."
"No, not at all. I'm used to that."
We entered the ball through a back door. We were going to be
announced. I was biting my lip. "Michael, chill out," she whispered.
She pushed some hair away from my face. "I want everyone to see that I
have the most handsome date," she said with a sly smile.
"Too bad that guy is back home, huh?" I asked.
She gave me a weird look, then started walking toward the
ballroom.
We got some stares as we were announced, but Mia told me to
ignore it. If people wanted to know about Joshua, they would find out
on their own. We weren't going to discuss it.
We shared a waltz first, then took our seats at Rene's table.
She introduced me to family members and other people of noble blood.
I got up to go to the bar a little while later. I saw a girl
whispering to Mia, causing Mia to smile and look at me. She blushed
when I caught her looking at me.
"What was that all about?" I asked when I came back with a
drink.
"What?" she asked, looking in every direction but to me.
I took her hand, "That woman. Who was that?"
"That is my third cousin, Arianna. She was asking me who you
are."
"And you said that I am your mister...wait, what is the masculine
form of mistress?"
She laughed, "A mister?"
"Possibly. What else do we have to do here?"
"Possible dancing. Possible mingling?" she replied.
"How old is this Arianna?" I asked, teasingly.
"Sixteen," she replied.
My mouth dropped, "That is sixteen?" I asked, motioning toward
the girl. She defiantly looked at least twenty.
"Here's a napkin to catch your drool," Mia said, handing me a
nice napkin.
A Frank Sinatra song came on and most couples stood and walked
to the dance floor. I stood and said, "Princess Amelia, would you do
me the honor?"
She held back a giggle, "Why of course."
We danced all evening, ignoring everyone else. We joked
and laughed and...and I started thinking things I had no right to think
about.
We stayed in Rene's summer home that evening, separate rooms of
course. But we didn't go to bed until very early the next morning.
"Okay, okay," she giggled. "Buffy, or Sarah Michelle Geller."
"Same person."
"No, Buffy is a no nonsense bitch. Sarah is a sweet girl."
I laughed, "Buffy. Flexiblity is important. Fine. Leonardo
DiCaprio or Jack Dawson."
"Jack Dawson, definitely. Leo is a man whore."
"Never thought of it before huh?" I teased.
I put on my Buffy DVD. The show went off air almost eight years
ago but I never grew tired of it.
"Of course I have. What else am I supposed to do in the palace
while I'm all alone?"
"Joshua?"
She smiled at the mere mention of his name. "What am I going to
do a-after...after he's gone? My life was him..."
"Maybe you should not have allowed a man to become your whole
life," I replied.
"I love him. When you love someone they automatically become
your life. Haven't you ever felt like that?" she asked innocently.
I tried not to laugh. Love didn't really exist anymore, not for
me. Not if I couldn't have...not if ... "Once," I answered simply. "A
while ago though. I gotta go."
I left the room and went to sleep. I didn't want to be close to
her anymore.
"Michael!" she called out after me. I turned back and poked my
head into her room.
"Yes?"
"Thank you for a wonderful evening. I had a lot of fun."
"You deserve it."
"Michael?" Joshua asked near the end of one of our chats, three weeks
after he returned.
"Yeah?"
"I'm not getting better. I'm getting worse, I can feel it."
"Joshua, c'mon man, don't get like-"
"No, Michael. Just listen to me now."
"Okay, shoot man."
"I consider you a good friend now."
"Likewise."
"And I know that Mia cherishes you as well."
"I wouldn't say cherishes, but okay."
"Anyways, I am going to ask you to watch out for her after I go.
I think you would be the best match for her-"
"Oh come on Joshua, please don't be making these kinds of wishes-
"
"I'm serious. I know you two are meant to be together. I was
getting in the way."
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"You guys think I can't see anything at all? I can tell what
kind of look she's making by the tone of her voice. That's how well I
know her. She loves you, I don't think she ever stopped."
"She never has loved me," I argued.
"Oh she has. She even told me a few years ago that you were her
first love. She doesn't think I remember it because she told me when
we were only friends. But I do remember it. I had seen your picture
and she told me that you had been her one true love throughout high
school."
"Man, nothing is going on between us."
"Maybe not now," he whispered, "But there will be, soon. I want
you to know you have my blessing."
"Joshua, I don't want your damn blessing. Nothing is going to
happen with us."
"Michael, be honest here with me. Man to man, you have no
feelings for my girlfriend? Honestly. Remember, I am in a weakened
state so I cannot do very much."
I smiled and laughed a little, "Okay, so I had a thing for her
before. But now we're just going to be friends. I'll promise to grill
any guy she dates," I promised.
"Grill yourself. I'm going to sleep. Take it easy Michael," he
said rudely.
I didn't know that that would be the last time I would ever talk
to him.