Invisible Page 16

  My heart takes off in a sprint. “I have a date!” I almost scream. “It’s my first date ever, Mom. You can’t do this to me.” I look to Dad for back-up, my eyes pleading.

  “She’s right, honey,” Dad says. “We can’t spoil her night.”

  Mom’s quiet for a moment. Finally, her expression relaxes and she heaves a sigh. “Okay,” she says to Dad, then turns to me. “You deserve to have some fun. Besides, you’ve got that great dress waiting for you.”

  There’s more of Grandma Rose in her than I’d expected. Or maybe it’s that I never really noticed before.

  “Thanks,” I reply. “And, no, he’s not dangerous,” I lie. If they knew the whole story – how Nino had bullied me all through high school, how he’d punched me and was planning to give me a really good beating this very evening. And the unspeakable deed he had planned for Charlie. If they knew all that, I’d never be allowed out of the house again. Dad would call the cops and this craziness would escalate.

  Nino’s not going to hurt me or Charlie now. Having his plans revealed I suppose has something to do with it. But there’s something more. It’s like in the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy sees the wizard and he’s not so scary or powerful, after all. That’s how it is for me now with Nino. I’ve seen him cry, hell, I’ve made him cry and although I’m ashamed of what I did, I think it’s good that he’s scared of me.

  * * * *

  Once home, I grab a snack and head upstairs to get ready.

  “Hey, thought you wanted my help,” Eva calls after me.

  “I do.” I’m surprised she remembered.

  “Okay, then go to my room.”

  I sit at Eva’s make-up table and eye myself in the mirror, while she cracks open her suitcase of cosmetics. My hair’s held up, thankfully. It’s still full and curly. Arching a brow, I smile at my reflection. My teeth have always been straight and white thanks to a full year of braces in grade nine, and whitening strips. They were my only indulgence in four years of high school. My face is taking on a more angular look; cheek-bones are slowly emerging.

  “Close your eyes,” Eva commands.

  She dabs on cream and then foundation and smoothes it over my face. “What color did you say your dress was?”

  “Black.”

  “Okay, let’s go for a smoky eye. Keep your eyes closed.”

  My lids are brushed, my lashes curled, then mascara is applied. My cheeks are bronzed and finally my lips are lined, then swiped with whatever color Eva deems appropriate. I’m afraid I’m going to look like a hooker or, at best, a pole dancer.

  After what feels like an eternity, she finally says, “Okay, you can look now.”

  “I’m beautiful,” I whisper, hardly believing the woman staring back from the mirror is me.

  Eva beams.

  “Thank you so much,” I say.

  “You’re welcome.” She takes my hand. “You know, you really are… beautiful, I mean,” she says softly, a smile unfurling across her face.

  I sit in stunned silence, waiting for the zinger that always follows one of Eva’s compliments, but it doesn’t come. After a pause of a few beats, I risk my heart and allow it to open a crack. “Thank you, that really means a lot to me.”

  She looks away as if the show of emotion makes her uncomfortable. We’re so used to fighting, arguing and bickering; kindness is foreign and uncomfortable.

  “And I’m sorry,” she adds.

  “For what?”

  “I’ve been mean. I don’t want to hurt you any more.”

  Her eyes mist over. I have to fight my own tears from ruining Eva’s work.

  “It’s okay. I’m mean to you too sometimes. I think that’s how sisters are. I just don’t think you and I understand each other. But I want more than anything for us to be friends.”

  She pulls me into an embrace. “We will. I promise. From now on, Lola, you and me will be the best of friends.”

  Just when I thought this day could get no better, it has. Right now, things are a little weird and unfamiliar, but I silently vow to not only be a friend to my sister, but to let her be a friend to me.

  “Let me get my dress on. Be right back,” I announce excitedly.

  I run to my room and slip into my dress, put on my heels and jewelry, then make my way back. When I push open the door, Mom, Dad and Eva are waiting and I enter to catcalls and applause.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Dad drops me off at the banquet hall for the dance.

  “Call if you need me and don’t hesitate to tell a teacher if that kid comes near you?” he says through the rolled down passenger-side window.

  “Okay.” I wave and turn to walk away.

  “Is he here? Do you see him?”

  I turn back around and shrug. “Don’t know yet, Dad.” Impatience edges my voice.

  He rubs his stubbly chin then sighs. “Okay, go on. Have a great night.”

  I make my way around to the driver’s side window and kiss his cheek.

  “Thank you, Daddy.”

  He cups a hand under my chin. “Love you, my Lola.”

  “I love you too,” I whisper and finally walk away.

  A few kids are milling around outside, taking pictures and laughing. I wave to Dad when I get to the front door. But he doesn’t leave just yet. I guess he’s going to hang around for a little while.

  The banquet hall is done up in black and silver. Balloons and flowers are everywhere. Cameras flash as I walk into the din of conversation surrounding me. The D.J. is set up and music throbs, giving the room a party atmosphere.

  “Wow,” a voice says from behind and I spin around to find Jon. He’s handsome in his dark gray suit and black and silver tie. His hair’s shorter and is slicked to standing on the top of his head in a faux Mohawk. I loved his wavy long hair but he looks older, more mature, like the college student he’ll soon be.

  “You look gorgeous.” He smiles a big goofy grin and gives me the once-over.

  Blushing furiously, I look around at anything but him. “You look pretty cute yourself. I like the hair cut,” I manage to say. The heat of embarrassment warms my chest and neck.

  “Aw, shucks.” He kicks at the floor like a ten-year-old. Jon takes my hands and his expression turns serious. “Tell me you’re mine, Lola.”

  He leans close and I’m intoxicated by the smell of him. I put my arms around his neck and kiss him softly. “I’m yours,” I whisper.

  The kiss is long and lingering, but when he pulls away, he says, “It’s okay, you know.”

  My eyes widen. “What’s okay?”

  “That we didn’t get Nino. Don’t get me wrong, I still hate the guy, but I think it all ended perfectly. He didn’t win a scholarship and you did. This time, the good guy won.”

  My heart melts and I pull him to me again.

  “Knock if off, you two,” Charlie says. I turn to find her with her date.

  “This is Robin,” she says.

  I hold out a hand in greeting. “Charlie’s kept you a secret. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

  “We met at work,” Robin replies.

  Robin’s fair with red shoulder-length hair and her pale blue eyes shine even in the dimly lit room.

  “Your dress is really pretty,” I say.

  “Thanks, Charlie helped me pick it out.”

  “I can’t imagine Charlie picking out anything like that,” I reply.

  Robin laughs. “She’s actually got good taste.” She smiles at Charlie who’s dressed in black skinny jeans and sneakers, a shiny silver dinner jacket complete with a black dress shirt and a narrow tie, pulled askew at the neck.

  “I picked you, didn’t I?” Charlie says with a wink. She throws an arm around Robin’s shoulders and plants a kiss her on the cheek. “I’ll be right back, okay? I just need to talk to Lola for a sec.”

  Robin nods.

  I eye Jon and get an approving smile.

  Charlie leads me to a table at the other end of the room. “Have a seat.” She pulls out a
chair for me and one for her. “You look really nice, by the way.”

  “Thanks. And you… well, you look like Charlie. The Charlie I’ve missed, even though it’s only been a day.” I regard her for a moment. “We’re okay now, right?”

  “Yes, of course. I’m really really sorry, Lola. I shouldn’t have…”

  “It’s okay. It was kinda flattering.” I smile and she looks away shyly.

  “How do you like Robin?”

  “She’s pretty and she seems nice. Are you happy?”

  Charlie takes a deep breath. “I think I can be happy with Robin, eventually. I mean, everything’s so new right now. How about you, are you happy?”

  “Never better.” I beam.

  “I’m so proud of you – for winning and for what you said up there.”

  “Thanks.”

  She leans closer. “Have you noticed?”

  “Noticed what?”

  “You can’t feel it?”

  A smile sweeps across my face. “What are you talking about?”

  “Look around you. Everyone is talking about you. Lola Savullo, the girl who put Nino Campese and Tyler Campbell in their place.”

  I sneak a furtive glace around. She’s right. Eyes are on me and when my gaze meets another, there are smiles and nods. So very different from what I’m used to. It feels so damn good to finally be seen.

  “Do you think Nino and Tyler will show up tonight?”

  Charlie shrugs. “Hope not. I don’t want to be self-conscious about bringing a girl.”

  “You know what I’ve learned over this last little while?”

  Charlie shakes her head.

  “I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks about you, what nasty things they say or do. The only thing that matters is whether or not you choose to believe them.” I stand and pull Charlie to her feet. “Hold your head high. Be yourself and be proud of who you are. You’re a beautiful, kind, loving person and if they show up, you’ll have me, Robin and Jon by your side.”

  Charlie thrusts her chin in the air. “You’re damn right. Let’s go get our dates.”

  We head back arm-in-arm and as we do, I wonder how much my vanishing had to do with what Charlie said when it first started; she thought I wished it into being. It’s true that not that long ago I wanted more than anything to disappear, to fade into the background.

  How many times had I wished that before? How many years did it take to actually manifest and become real? Is there something in my DNA as Grandma Rose suggested that allowed it to happen? And if that’s possible, then think of the potential I’ve unleashed. My real super power is in the discovery I can create with my thoughts.

  From this moment on, I’m only letting the good in. I’m building my future one thought at a time.

  Epilogue

  Six months later…

  My dreams of Gran are always the same. She’s painting in her solarium when I walk into her apartment. I want desperately to hug and kiss her and tell her how much I love her, only I’m never allowed past the threshold. It’s as if there’s an invisible barrier keeping us apart.

  She looks up, smiling and waving… and she always says the same thing. “I see you, Lola.”

  “What are you painting?” I call.

  She tilts the canvas my way. It’s a perfect rendering and I need no photograph to tell me who it is. It’s me in my grad dress; hair and make-up perfect, looking like I do now, twenty pounds lighter.

  Whenever I have this dream, I wake up immediately. I think it’s because I’m supposed to remember it. And, of course, I do. I love that dream because it feels so real, like Gran and I are actually having a visit like we used to. Knowing that she sees me and knows what’s happening in my life, gives me great comfort.

  As I sit here now, in my room, I trace the rose on my wrist. That indelible gift from Gran, but more importantly, I feel the cord made of love connecting our hearts.

  I live at home and commute to school. As hard as it would have been for me to believe a year ago, I now find comfort being with my family, especially Mom. Our relationship is growing as we’re both changing. She’s gone back to school, to the Revlon School of Beauty at my urging. And I’ve never seen her happier. I even let her practice on me, and that’s something I never ever thought would happen.

  Eva and I are also working on our relationship. At the very least, we’re friends now. Things aren’t perfect and there have been a few fights, but what’s growing between us is a healthy respect. We even hang out occasionally.

  University is a big change, but a positive one. My studies are going well. Of course, I’m an English major, but the best part is that so is Jon. We’ve grown even closer over the months and he’s officially my boyfriend.

  Charlie’s still with Robin and works full time, but she’s vowed that she will eventually go to college. She’s holding down two jobs so that she can save enough for the tuition. We see each other a lot and even go on double dates.

  As for Nino, he didn’t come to the grad dance, after all. Tyler did, but kept his distance. Last I heard, Nino was working as a dump truck driver for his cousin’s construction company. I know it’s mean, but it gives me a little thrill thinking about him out there in the working world, his future already mapped out. Jon told me Nino had dreams of being a big-shot lawyer; probably only for the prestige and the money. But, like most bullies, he peaked in high school.

  THE END

  About the Author

  Jeanne Bannon is a writer and freelance editor. She’s worked in the publishing industry for over twenty years. Jeanne lives in Bolton, Ontario with her husband Dave and her two daughters, Nina and Sara. She’s also the proud mother of two fur babies, Emily, a sweet Miniature Schnauzer and Spencer, a bratty Tabby with an attitude.

  Acknowledgements

  I want to thank my family for putting up with, and understanding, my obsessive need to write. Thanks to my husband, Dave, for never complaining and encouraging me to reach my dream. Thanks to my mother, Nina Bannon, for being my biggest champion and supporter and for reading and reviewing the early phases of the book. Thank you to my Aunt Catherine (“Kitty”) Booth for believing in me. Thank you to Elena Cabral for your kindness and constant support. Jim Murini and Luigina Leonelli, I am grateful for your friendship and support.

  Thank you to my publisher Solstice Publishing for liking my story enough to want to publish it and a special thank you to editors Candy Stone and Nik Morton for a job well done.

  Last and certainly not least, thank you to my friends from the Next Big Writer. I could never have done this without you all. In particular Susan Stec, my BFF; Joy Campbell, my dear friend and mentor; Patti Yaeger, Alicia Perry; Wendy (WriteOn); JElizabeth and everyone else who took the time to read and review Invisible to help make it publishable.