Jane
The table Addison led me to was the smallest one in the open court-yard of the hotel. There weren't half as many faces around it as were around the others. But most of the faces I recognized at least. There was James and his wife. James seemed oddly out of sorts and loopy headed. It must have been because of his pain killers and the champagne he was drinking. He'd hobbled up to the table the same time I did. His stride was bowed legged and awkward from his injuries. Despite his condition James lifted me off my feet into a crushing hug exclaiming over how beautiful I was and how happy he was for Maura and I. Everyone around us turned and stared. I thought I was going to die and James wouldn't put me down despite how much I struggled. I was very nearly out of breath when his wife slapped him upside the head with her purse and led him to his seat hissing and scolding him the entire time. Next to them was seated Allison and her husband, a balding but friendly soft-spoken man who was far out shined by his wife's beauty and dynamic personality. Allison was a woman of few words and even fewer smiles, but she radiated confidence that amplified her dark beauty and spoke with commanding intelligence. Next to them was Addison who was sitting to my left. Addison kept smiling at some man she met earlier seated at another table. I thought the guy looked a little plump and dopey and far below Addison's league, but who was I to judge? To my right was Maura's empty seat and next to that was Constance, Maura's mother! The woman seemed to be unable to take her eyes off me. I wasn't intimidated by her anymore. I had a great deal of feelings about Maura's mother I wanted to express, but now was not the time or place. I bit my tongue concentrating on the MC for the evening as he introduced Maura.
Everyone at the event stood clapping their hands and cheering for Maura as she walked to the podium. She was twice as beautiful under the bright lights of the stage. Her every movement was elegant and graceful and her smile made me weak. The sky was now dark and twinkling with the first stars of the evening. I couldn't help but think Maura twinkled also. There were hundreds of people at the event. I hadn't met half of them yet but everyone seemed to have a particular respect for Maura, even though Maura was strangely awkward around the guest during our more personal interactions with them. She'd been subdued and almost shy around all the people she introduced me to. It was left to me to take the lead and hold conversations with everyone. I didn't have a choice; we couldn't both be awkward and nervous. I couldn't figure out what was going on with Maura's bizarre behavior. I'd seen Maura storm and rage before, I'd seen Maura speak with command and confidence before. I'd seen Maura reduce capable people to near tears with the power of her voice and the ferocity of her glare. But it seemed like ever since we spoke with her mother all the wind was gone from Maura's sails. That more than anything made me loath Constance Isles. I wanted Maura to shine, but her mother was like tarnish on a silver plate. I glared at Constance from the corner of my eye before we all took our seats to hear Maura's speech. Maura made me promise not to yell at her mother...but still...I wasn't about to let the woman embarrass and belittle my girlfriend again.
I couldn't believe how beautiful Maura was on that stage. Her speech was wonderful and Maura was extremely well spoken and poised. She smiled at me many times throughout the speech and I couldn't stop myself from smiling back. It was just an involuntary reaction at this point. I couldn't believe the gorgeous woman on that stage captivating so many people with her words was my girlfriend...MY girlfriend. The more I said the word 'girlfriend' in my head, the more I couldn't believe how lucky I was and how much my life had changed. After a while I noticed many other people were looking at me too and not just the people at my table. I chanced a glance around the courtyard, more than half the eyes at each table were roaming over to me in between listening to Maura's speech. I felt slightly uncomfortable but I brushed it aside. I knew I was the first date Maura brought to one of these things. I guess it was only natural that people were interested...even if I did think all the staring was inappropriate and a bit nosy.
I noticed Constance studying me from time to time also. I tried not to glare at the woman, though it was difficult to bite my tongue when so many hateful thoughts were raging through my head. I wouldn't make a scene though, I promised Maura. Maura ended her speech to a round of applause and made her way back to the table with a smile and twinkling eyes. I greeted her with a tight hug.
"You were amazing Maura...I'm so proud of you!" I whispered in her ear.
Maura's smile could have melted gold. She kissed me several times with blushing cheeks and trembling lips before we took our seats again. Everyone at the table complimented Maura with gracious words and pleasant smiles. Everyone but her mother I noticed. She wasn't paying any attention to Maura at all. I caught Constance's eye several times, the woman's eyes seemed to be drawn to me. I wrapped my arm around Maura protectively; wordlessly challenging Constance to act an ass again. Maybe I was Maura's guard dog. Constance could call me whatever she liked. Maura was mine now and I'd bite if I had to!
Next, Allison made a captivating speech of her own. Everyone's attention returned to the stage as she spoke. My mind was swimming with thoughts and admiration of my girlfriend; but I paid Allison her due respect between squeezing Maura's hand beneath the table. Allison's husband gazed proudly at her every moment she was on the stage. I wondered how long they had been married. He seemed as in love with Allison as he was the day they were wed. It made me smile. It made me wish for the same thing with Maura one day. I wanted to stand by her side; always and forever in awe of her. I felt Maura's hand on my leg. She never took her eyes from the stage but the gesture was meant to comfort me. I smiled to myself and ran my fingers through Maura's hair. I saw her grin from the corner of my eye. I felt Constance watching us from the corner of my other eye. I batted down the urge to glare at her again.
When Allison returned to the table we all complimented her as we did Maura. This time Constance joined in the praises with verve and excitement. It made me grit my teeth. I noticed Maura's shoulders sag even though she was trying to smile and remain outwardly passive. But I knew it bothered her that she'd received not so much as a word from her mother after her speech only to turn around and have Constance compliment Allison with so much fervor. I kissed Maura's cheek lightly before we took our seats again. She smiled at me graciously but I could still see the pain in her eyes. My distaste for Constance was growing by leaps and bounds every second Maura spent second guessing herself and agonizing over her mother's aloofness. My heart hurt watching Maura's internal battle consume her mind. I wanted to give her all the comforting words and compliments I could think of. To me Maura was...well she was everything to me. Maura had more character, generosity, intelligence, and grace than I'd ever known one person to possess. Maura was far from perfect; she had a ferocious temper and quirky habits, but still she was a wonderful person. Why couldn't her mother see how special she was? Why did she feel the need to belittle and embarrass and ignore her own daughter who should have been the pride of her existence? My mother would have sobbed and cried all through my speech if it was me on that stage. She probably would have baked me a cake and brought it here along with a million baby pictures and made sure everyone knew I was her daughter and how proud she was of me. I would have drowned in my families affections if it were me on that stage having accomplished so much in my life as Maura. But Maura had no family to cheer for her or speak with pride about her to everyone they knew. My heart broke all over again.
Several more speeches were made before many people in black clothing took the stage with instruments. They began playing soft classical music and conversation erupted at every table.
"Dinner is to be served now...and then dancing." Maura whispered to me.
I looked down at my place setting. There were three glasses, three forks, three knives, two spoons, a small bowl and three plates beneath it. I sighed heavily willing myself to remember what Maura tried to teach me the night before. Maura squeezed my knee under the table and smiled. She unfurled her napkin and placed it in her lap. I did the same. Several waiters in sharp black tuxedo's approached our table with various bottles of wine in their white-gloved hands. One waiter approached my left just like Maura said they would.
"Would Miss care to sample the wine of the evening. We have a lovely Pinot Grigio, a nice Pinot Noir, or of course a classic Champagne if that is more the ladies taste." The waiter, a young man, asked politely.
I noticed one arm was behind his back and the bottle of wine he held in the other was nestled securely in the crook of his arm. I wrinkled my face a little, I didn't really like wine and I was tired of sipping champagne.
"Perhaps the lady would care for something stronger. We have a fine selection of top shelf liquors if that is more your style," The waiter said pleasantly.
"Ummm, what would go well with dinner!" I asked.
The waiter smiled.
"The choice of entrees are a baked goat cheese and scallop pasta in a creamy white wine sauce with steamed broccoli and fresh baked garlic bread. Or prime rib made to order with sautéed mixed vegetables and baked potato, or fillet white fish with crab sauce, a stuffed crab shell, and mixed salad. The soup of the evening is a choice between a robust creamy sausage and potato, or a classic vegetable, or our chef's special take on New England Clam Chowder. The appetizers include shrimp cocktail and miniature cucumber and smoked salmon sandwiches. Of course as the date of Dr. Isles you may order whatever you wish!" The waiter bowed his head to me respectfully.
I giggled. I'd never heard of half the stuff that guy mentioned and what was a cucumber and smoked salmon sandwich? I looked at Maura and grinned devilishly. Maura returned an amused smile, I knew she realized I was about to ask for something ridiculous.
"I want the best cheeseburger you got...and french fries...I love french fries."
The waiter looked stunned for a moment before he smiled.
"The lady has excellent taste," he said bowing his head to me again. "Might I suggest a robust port wine to accompany your meal?"
I had no idea what the hell a port wine was. I looked at Maura who rolled her eyes slightly despite her amused smile.
"My girlfriend and I will have a seven and seven please," Maura said kindly to the waiter who bowed his head again and marched away.
"Yum cheeseburger!" I grinned at Maura whose face was split between amusement and disbelief.
"Wouldn't you rather have the prime rib? I had fresh Kobe beef flown in just for this event." Maura asked curiously.
"I've never eaten prime rib in my life. Besides...cheeseburgers are awesome!" I replied defiantly fixing Maura with my most determined expression.
Maura just sighed and rolled her eyes. I knew she wanted to argue further but she'd let me have my way tonight at least. Tomorrow, I knew I'd be eating baked fish and veggies again, but tonight I intended to enjoy myself.
Dinner was excellent, except for Constance Isles. The atmosphere was amazing, the entire courtyard was glowing with lantern light. The steady hum of crickets and chirping birds compliment the soft tones of the band's instruments. The scents of so many flowers filled the air and everyone seemed to be relaxed and content. Boisterous conversations were being had all around us, and laughter filled the air. I spoke animatedly with everyone at the table in between bites of salad that Maura made me order and my cheeseburger that was a huge mountain of deliciousness.
Many people approached us with big checks to donate to Maura's foundation and offer compliments to Maura for her charity work. Everyone seemed interested in complimenting me also; but I steered all conversation toward Maura. This was her night and I was here to be her cheerleader. I had to be since her mother was such a freaking c-word! I learned so many things about Maura listening to all the guest rave about her. Apparently Maura worked in Africa for several years as a volunteer physician at a children's hospital. I never even knew that about her. Two men in sharp black suits approached us and spoke of Maura's work with the FBI as their assistant Chief Medical Examiner. One of the men kept hinting that they'd love to have her back; but Maura only smiled and expressed how happy she was with the BPD! A decorated soldier approached the table, a General I found out later. I learned from him that Maura had done work with the U.S. Army in Kuwait helping perform autopsies of locals and identifying soldiers who's bodies had been brutalized beyond recognition. I was floored by that. She'd worked in the most hostile of war zones apparently. The general told us all about how Maura helped organize their hospitals and trained nurses and doctors in more modern techniques. She'd even built a school for girls and sent donations of books and supplies every year.
"Maura you could have been killed!" I blurted out at one point.
The general chuckled at that and Maura flushed.
"Those soldiers loved Dr. Isles; any one of them would have laid down their life for her. The doctor was excellent for moral, they still talk about her over there!" the General's hard face smiled. It looked like a grimace, I don't think the man was used to smiling, but he seemed extremely fond of Maura.
The Saudi Prince fawned over Maura and made a huge donation to the Isles Foundation. I was more and more blown away the more I learned of Maura and what she'd done all over the world. I gazed at her in wonder and admiration.
Maura never talked about herself. Not once had I ever heard her toot her own horn and exclaim over her work and accomplishments. The more I learned of her the more humble and gracious Maura became in my eyes. Everyone at the table spoke nothing but praises about Maura who blushed and brushed off each and every compliment. Constance Isles said nothing however. She sat eating quietly and never once acknowledged her daughter or her many wonderful works. I know Maura noticed that too. I believed that to be the reason Maura seemed so shy and uncomfortable with all the attention and accolades. I felt myself growing angry again. Maura should be having the time of her life. She should have felt free to smile at least and speak of her work in detail. But she did very little of any of that. Maura latched on to my hand and barely spoke at all, looking more and more uncomfortable with every compliment and every moment her mother remained silent. With the steady flow of alcohol everyone else was in a very good mood and eyes were shining all around with intoxication. I felt slightly buzzed myself, but I wasn't drinking to be cheerful. I was drinking to drown my mounting frustration over Constance Isles' cool demeanor and the pain growing behind my girlfriend's eyes. I should have stopped drinking, but my fury was overcoming my rational sensibilities. If Constance wouldn't show Maura the respect she deserved than I'd do it myself. The alcohol was driving me to speak out.
"I didn't know you'd done all that stuff, Maura! You're a regular Mother Teresa!" I said loudly so everyone could hear.
I smiled at my girlfriend's flushing cheeks. At least Maura still had smiles for me despite the fact that she seemed almost miserable.
"You don't know the half of it. Maura could fill an encyclopedia with all her humane and relief efforts. Not to mention the other things she's accomplished career wise. Maura is a remarkable woman," Allison said kindly.
Everyone nodded their heads and smiled in turn, everyone except Constance. Maura looked like she wanted to speak but her eyes roamed over to her mother briefly and she hung her head and picked at her salad instead. I stabbed at my French fries angrily with my fork. Maura was making me eat my cheeseburger and French fries with a fork and knife. Something about even though I was eating baby food I still had to eat it like a lady. I'd rolled my eyes at that, but didn't argue. I didn't want to end up eating cucumber and smoked salmon sandwiches instead of my delicious cheeseburger. I'd eat the damn cheeseburger with chopsticks if it would make my girlfriend stop looking so sad. I decided to keep pushing the compliments.
"I had no idea you were such a great public speaker, Maura!" I smiled despite my frustration with Constance Isles.
Addison chimed in with her bright beautiful smile.
"That was a wonderful speech you gave, it moved me to tears." she said pleasantly.
I beamed at Addison who winked at me. I think she caught on to what I was trying to do for Maura. I couldn't have been more grateful for her support.
"You were amazing!" I added smiling proudly at my girlfriend.
Maura blushed and smiled back at me with loving eyes and pecked my lips lightly. I gushed and pinched Maura's thigh. She giggled and slapped my hand away.
"Later baby," She whispered in my ear.
It was my turn to blush. I couldn't wait for later! I was busy imagining all the possibilities 'later' had in store for me when Constance Isles spoke for the first time since dinner started.
"I'm always surprised when Maura makes it through a speech without making a fool of herself. When Maura was a child she had an awful stuttering problem. It wasn't worth even trying to speak to her because it took her forever to make a sentence and half the time it didn't make any sense. The kids would tease her at school and she'd cry every night and hide in her room. She never made friends...and who could blame the other children? Not that it mattered to Maura; she was far to busy playing with her science kits and dissecting dead frogs she bought from the pet store. She's always been better with the dead than with the living. I was worried she'd be a stuttering oaf forever but thank goodness for her nanny. Not that Maura's any better at making friends; she still prefers the dead over the living I'm afraid." Constance Isles said taking another bite of her potato and shrugging her shoulders.
Everyone went quiet and looked uncomfortable. I felt my face burning with anger. Maura looked pale and terrified. I saw her shoulders sag again and tears shining behind her eyes. It took everything I had not to explode at Constance. But making a scene would only embarrass Maura further and I couldn't do that to her. I squeezed Maura's hand tightly under the table and turned back to her. I wasn't going to let Constance win. Maura needed a champion and I was proud to be her knight in shining armor.
"No wonder you're so good at your work Maura. You've been a little genius all your life. I wish I'd had your brains when I was a kid, I'd be a lot better off now if I did!" I smiled at Maura. Maura never looked up from her plate. I could tell she was trying not to cry. My heart sank with sympathy watching Maura become so helpless and sad at her own event.
James, swimmy eyed with painkillers and wine, chimed in.
"Maura's never had any problem communicating with me! You should hear the way she screams at me sometimes. My partners are terrified of her and leave the office rather than try and argue. Maura can out argue anybody. If she weren't such a genius doctor and business woman I'd convince her to be a lawyer! Although she'd probably be held in contempt of court constantly. Maura would argue the judges to death if they tried to overturn her objections or motions. They'd get so tired of her they'd just throw her ass in jail!" James grinned lazily.
Everyone at the table chuckled with their mouths full of food. I smiled at James gratefully. I was thankful he was trying to stand up for Maura; even if he did look like he was three sheets to the wind. Maura looked terribly nervous I noticed from the corner of my eye. I reached for her hand again but Maura was smoothing her dress and suddenly looked a bit pale and sweaty.
Constance Isles paid the kind words no mind. She barreled on in her hateful manner despite the fact that everyone at the table looked like they wanted to be anywhere else in the world. If I didn't know any better I'd say everyone at the table was afraid of Constance Isles by the way they never looked at her or made any moves to defend Maura, except James. I had a sneaking suspicion he wouldn't have spoken up either if he wasn't so intoxicated. What power did the woman have to be allowed to carry on so shamelessly without challenge? What had Maura endured all her life to make her quake and cower around her mother instead of standing up for herself with pride and confidence?
"Maura might know textbooks well, but she's no genius." Constance chuckled.
"You remember that play in second grade don't you dear," Constance asked Maura.
"Yes mother...I-I remember," Maura whispered. I thought I noticed her hand trembling around her fork.
"Maura had a part in her second grade production of Annie. It was just one line but with that awful stutter of hers it was a wonder they didn't stick her in the back to build the set or something more appropriate. Anyway, when Maura's line came up she froze, it was terrible. Everyone in the audience started chuckling and whispering. Maura stuttered and stammered and everyone laughed. Then she actually urinated right there on stage. Oh it was awful...I'd just bought that dress from Paris and it was ruined after that. Maura ran off the stage crying, the play had to go into intermission to clean up the mess she made. It took the nanny two hours to find Maura hiding in a closet and talking to one of her dead frogs. Needless to say I never bothered showing up to another play again; not after what an embarrassment she was to me. I couldn't show my face in society for weeks after that. I flew to Germany instead and focused on my art." Constance said in such a tone you would think she was talking about the weather.
Everyone around the table was silent. The air around us was thick with uncertainty and disbelief. No one wanted to make eye contact with anyone else, especially not Maura. I had a mouthful of cheeseburger; but I'd forgotten to chew and my jaw was hanging open. I just could not believe the nerve of Maura's mother. It was like she didn't care about her daughter at all. I thought about my mother and what she would have done if something like that happened to me. My mother very likely would have screamed at everyone in the audience for laughing and carried me home in her arms, gave me a bath, fed me ice cream, sang to me and encouraged me not to give up and try again the next year. Besides, my brothers would have beat up anyone who tried to tease me at school the next day. Maura didn't have any of that, no protective brothers, no loving mother, no one to encourage her or even care enough to find help for her. I found myself hating Constance Isles. I looked at Maura and noticed the tears streaming down her cheeks. Her breath was shallow, her hands were trembling, and her head was bowed over her plate.
I couldn't stand it anymore. I couldn't sit there a moment longer and allow this to continue. I don't know what was wrong with everyone else and why they all looked so afraid and uncomfortable but I was feeling nothing but storming rage. Promises be damned. I would not let this hateful woman belittle by girlfriend a second longer regardless of the fact that she was Maura's mother. Fury ripped through me. Ice formed in my stomach and my eyes. My ears were ringing with the blood surging through my veins and my chest hurt from the rapid pumping of my heart. My hands trembled, I slammed my fork down on my plate and rounded on Constance.
"You hateful disgusting woman! How dare you mention that here. How dare you embarrass your own child like this in front of her friends and coworkers! I don't know who you think you are but Maura is ten times the woman you will ever be you little troll!" I spat at Constance.
My voice was laced with poison and hatred. Every fiber of my being emanated fury and disgust. Every jaw dropped. The silence around us was deafening. Eyes were wide and jaws were open and everyone at the table stared between me and Maura and her mother. I didn't care. I thought little of those seated around me without even the courage to stand up for their friend and employer. My eyes were all for Constance, and I knew they spoke volumes of hate. Maura looked like she wanted to die. Constance's face went blank and chilly. It seemed like she couldn't believe she had just been challenged. She looked like she didn't know what to say or do...I imagined Constance had never been spoken to in such a way before. I was happy to be the first and I'd do it over and over until she got the point and backed the hell of my girlfriend. But the woman recovered quickly. She even gave me a smile.
"Well, the little dog does have teeth! And I'll speak any way I please about my child. I keep thinking Maura will outgrow her childish awkwardness, but it seems she'll always be a helpless fool forever in need of a dog to save her. It's such a shame. They say adopted children are incapable of ever truly carrying the traits of their adopted families. Maura lacks the breeding necessary to be a better developed human being. A child of my own body would never have been such a simpleton in her youth or remained unwed and childless well into her thirties."
I was stunned into silence. I felt as if I'd been knocked silly. I could not have heard those horrible things coming from that woman's mouth. It felt like time had stopped and everyone was frozen in the moment; helpless to think of anything to do or say. I felt my heart breaking for Maura; but I gritted my teeth and sneered at Constance Isle. I'd had enough of this fucking dinner. I wasn't going to tolerate this any longer. If Constance insisted on behaving like a cunt she didn't deserve my company or Maura's.
I downed the rest of my seven and seven and slammed the glass on the table. I tried to reach for Maura's hand and take her away from this place but before I could Maura was on her feet. Her entire body was shaking, her face was pale, her mascara was running and tears dotted the top of her beautiful dress. I felt intense waves of hatred for Maura's mother flood my heart as I looked at my girlfriend sobbing in embarrassment. This was supposed to be her night, this was supposed to be one of her proudest moments. Maura was supposed to be shining and laughing and basking in the glow of the compliments that showered her. But Maura was none of that in the moment. She looked broken and defeated. She looked terrified and her eyes were full of pain. Her chest heaved; her breath was heavy and labored. My heart broke over and over again as Maura fell apart.
This was a nightmare, this was far worse than anything I could have imagined happening this evening. I wanted it to be me standing there crying hysterically and not Maura. I wanted to trade places with her and take all the pain and the insults and spare Maura this horror. I wanted to wrap my arms around her and give her all my strength. I wanted to hold her heart in my hand, kiss it and drive the pain away. Maura was my angel, Maura was my hero, Maura was everything I wanted to be and everything I knew I didn't deserve. I loved that woman...I loved her more than I loved myself. I loved every piece of her, every word she spoke, every breath she took. My heart beat for her and my blood boiled for her. I felt her pain. I felt it as real as any pain I'd ever experienced. My soul was tearing, my heart was breaking, my throat ached with the effort of holding in my tears.
"P-P-Please excuse me," Maura choked in a whisper.
I jumped from my chair and reached for Maura's hand but she spun away from me before I could take hold of her. Maura began sprinting away from the table sobbing full force; but blinded by her tears she ran right into a waiter carrying a full tray of drinks. She and the waiter started going down but the waiter in his panic reached out to Maura for balance. He grabbed hold of her dress instead tearing the dress from her shoulders and they both fell to the ground hard in a great crash of breaking glass and spilled drinks. The waiter had torn the entire front of Maura's dress off leaving her bare body exposed from the waist up. Maura lay sprawled on the ground in shock, she was covered in dirt and spilled drinks. Maura's hair was soaking wet, her breast were exposed, her skin was sticky with alcohol. In her shock and embarrassment Maura hadn't even realized she was naked from the waist up. The waiter did notice and his face was pale and terrified; but he was to shocked to move or speak sprawled out on the ground as he was. I was so shocked and freaked out I thought I was going to have a heart attack.
I ripped my jacket from my shoulders and rushed toward Maura to cover her before everyone in the courtyard noticed her naked chest. I could hear the rushing footsteps of so many people running up to see what was going on. But before I could get to Maura she stood trembling and sobbing still not noticing her nakedness. The entire courtyard went silent. When people realized what was happening and saw Maura standing half-naked, covered in dirt, and dripping wet with spilled drinks the whispers started. Everyone at my table looked stunned and horrified. Even Constance Isles.
"Baby, put this on sweetheart," I whispered breathlessly. My eyes had tears of their own now. I was dying inside seeing Maura so vulnerable, exposed, and clueless to her condition.
Maura looked at me confused then looked down at her naked chest. My heart broke when the horrified look overcame Maura's beautiful face. Every inch of her skin went red with humiliation and my stomach dropped to my feet. That's when the chuckling started. It was coming from everywhere. It was all I could hear. Everyone was laughing all around us and Maura was trembling and sobbing hysterically. James, Addison, Allison, and I tried to reach for Maura but she wrapped her arms around her chest and ran toward the hotel in shame and embarrassment. The four of us ran after her. My mind was racing, my heart was pounding. I shoved people out of my way with no thought at all about how rough I was being. I had no thoughts beyond getting to Maura. I cared for nothing and no one else. I cursed and raged and screamed inside my head. Adrenaline pumped through my body. My fight instinct and need to protect my loved ones took over my senses. I was possessed with the need to save Maura from her shame.
I could barely see Maura running in front of me. She was weaving through the lobby of the hotel like a maniac. People were stopping to stare at her as she passed wide-eyed and horrified. James, Addison, and Allison were far behind me. James couldn't run in his condition, Addison and Allison could barely run in their dresses and heels. I thanked God I chose to wear the pant suit and comfortable shoes. I ran with all my might. I cared nothing for the stares that followed me or the whispers behind my back. I saw Maura burst through the front door of the hotel to the world outside. Where the hell was she going? I was almost at the doors when I collided into a very large man and was sent flying backward landing hard on my back. My head throbbed and my back ached but I willed myself back on my feet again. I saw one of Maura's shoes lying on the ground next to me forgotten. I don't know why but I grabbed the shoe and ran after Maura again furiously apologizing to the man I'd knocked over. My lungs burned, my heart pounded in my chest. I burst through the front doors. I looked around frantically trying to find Maura. There were people everywhere on the sidewalk outside. I panicked twice as hard when I couldn't seem to find Maura. Then I saw her...she was getting into her limo. The limo door closed and it sped off.
My heart dropped. I ran full force down the side-walk weaving in and out of people. I ran right out into the street pumping my arms and willing my legs to move faster.
"MAURA!" I screamed after the taxi.
I could barely breathe, my chest was heaving in an effort to supply my body with the oxygen it needed to sustain such a frantic pace. I was so close...so close...but the light ahead of us turned green and the limo sped off and out of my reach.
"FUCK!" I cursed at the top of my lungs.
A taxi screeched to a halt behind me its horn blaring in my ear. I spun around, eyes wide with panic. The taxi was inches from my body. Smoke and the smell of burning rubber was stinging my eyes and made me cough and choke.I could have just been killed. The taxi driver hung his head from the window and cursed loudly.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing? Are you crazy or something? You wanna get run down in the streets?" the taxi driver raged at me.
I didn't think. I hopped in the taxi coughing and sputtering. I pulled a wad of money from my wallet and tossed it at the man.
"There's a black limo ahead of us, chase it down and don't let it out of your site!" I pleaded between gasping breaths.
I clutched Maura's heel to my chest. I had to get to my Cinderella!
