heart again pounded in her chest. Unable to press Father Frank further, in an attempt to calm herself down, she lowered her eyes, placed the mouse mat back on the desk and took a bookmark instead.
But what she observed did quite the opposite of reduce her body temperature. On one side was the information presenting the orphanage, and on the other, smiling young soldiers and the quotation from the Bible; “‘I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.’ Matthew 10:34”
Oh, dear, here’s another example, Mary thought. This phrase has been torn from the text and now it is conveying a completely different message to the one intended originally!
An awful suspicion struck her like a lightening bolt from the highest heavens. Her hands were trembling. Unable to breath properly, she browsed through the promotional material again.
“Oh, my!” Mary blurted. “Look at this, Father, all of this stuff contains Biblical quotations, but the context is so…”
Without looking up from an article he was speed reading, Frank sighed, “So what, Mary?”
“It is so strange, Father. What is this all about, do you think? Editorial errors or blasphemy?”
She looked intensely at the priest, who seemed totally unmoved by her concerns.
After a brief hesitation, she decided not to continue with her argument. He obviously thinks I am being stupid and picky, maybe even paranoid. Father did read them, after all, and if he didn’t find anything strange, it’s probably only my imagination.
She took a deep breath and exhaled gently through her nose. It was an effective trick and instantly she pacified the thought processes that were upsetting her, a good catholic girl.
However, despite her peace of mind, an unwelcome concern had quietly settled on the very bottom of her sensitive soul.
***
The day had come.
From early morning Mary bustled, getting ready for the first ball of her life.
She did her make-up and hair thoroughly, as never before. Then checked the invitation, and the pack with promotional materials.
She laid down on her bed, still, relaxing in a state of meditation.
The doorbell rang at her door, which made her jump, and her heart ran fast, like a horse under starters orders. She took her purse, and opened the door.
It was Ron. He showed a polite wide smile, but when he saw Mary, his jaw dropped and his black thick moustache went up. His dark brown eyes glinted yellow like bear’s before an attack. The girl involuntarily stepped back under his gaze.
“That’s not the dress that Mister Noirson sent you?” he asked, frowning.
It was a brusque greeting, and Mary responded, shooting from the hip.
“It’s none of your business,” she answered with the same haughty voice that she liked hearing Robert use. Like an arrogant sensual queen she stalked passed by Ron. The guard had to follow her, stroking his moustache in confusion.
***
Mary left the building feeling very upbeat. She was a beautiful young woman in love, dressed to kill. She enjoyed the almost fairytale opportunity to show herself off. It made her feel rather sexy to know so many people were gazing at her, as she was regally walking toward the limousine. Jerry was there to welcome her, and he could do nothing but smile with adoration.
In fact, he couldn’t tear his eyes from her décolletage. He forgot about everything except the scented vision before him. He even forgot to open the car door for her. It was a nudge in the ribs from Ron that alerted him to his negligent behavior and the young guard quickly came back to his senses.
Mary got into the car, and was struck with disappointment.
She expected to see Robert sitting patiently, smiling serenely at her, but all she had for company was the oafish Jerry. She felt him leering at her with a cheesy grin from the other side of the plush stretch limo.
“Where is Robert?” Mary asked, upset.
“He’s late,” answered Jerry in a great burst of energy. “Would you like to call him?”
Mary shook her head “no”; she felt offended at being stood up.
“Cool dress, señorita!” The young bodyguard winked.
“Er…” Suddenly feeling there was nothing to be gained by being miserable, she smiled and said, “Thanks!”
“Really, it’s very fetching. Mister Noirson is a lucky guy.”
Mary beamed with pride. Like a purring feline in heat, she stretched her leg out, showing him her pump. “How do you like it?”
He could only stare at her well-defined leg, moving from her ankle to her knee and on up. Careful, buddy, keep it polite! Jerry brought himself down a notch. What a foot! he thought. Cinderella! What I’d give to suck these little toes! But unable to resist looking past her knee, and physically salivating at the shape of things to come as her dress rode upwards, a little voice piped up, Hey buddy, come on, don’t even go there!
“It’s great…” Jerry mumbled. “Just fantastic.”
He did not realize that her showing off was not aimed at him, he just happened to be there. He didn’t even understand her next question.
“You like it?” Mary turned her foot presenting it from different sides. She was so elated to finally be able to show her luxuriant shoes off to someone. She bent forward, not thinking that Jerry could see down her décolleté and could clearly make out the full shape of her breast, almost as if they were fully exposed.
“I’m so worried that they might break,” Mary said, concerned.
“What?” Jerry almost screamed. For one horrible moment he imagined her breasts were about to fall off.
“But I took another pair with me.” Mary smiled. “Better safe than sorry.”
What the hell is she talking about? Jerry thought perplexed.
Mary ran her hands over hips, rearranging her dress, which had shifted rather too far north for modesty. “What do you think, are they sturdy enough?” she continued.
Jerry only stared at her.
Mary carefully raised her leg and placed her foot on her knee. She tugged at the heel of her pump, and Jerry finally guessed that she was talking about her shoes.
Jerry’s phone rang, and he answered. “Yes sir,” he said into the receiver.
“Is it Robert?” Mary whispered to him. Jerry nodded and passed the phone over to her.
“Where are you?” the girl drawled with pitiful voice.
“I’m terribly sorry, my little bunny!” Robert answered. “Don’t worry, I’ve checked, everything is ready. Just do your routine, as usual.”
“I never have done it all by myself. I’m scared.”
“Don’t be! I believe in you, honey. You are a powerful girl, you can do it.”
“But you will show up for sure?”
“Yes, I promise! I have to run, my sweetheart! See you soon!” He hung up.
Mary sighed. The limousine stopped, and Jerry helped Mary out.
She saw some reporters and they came swarming around her, taking pictures, asking for details. The bright young girl in full bloom felt like a superstar.
Her nervousness disappeared and as far s she was concerned her guards no longer existed. It was her stage only. As per instructions, she said a few sentences about the orphanage and her gymnastics team, and finished; “For more information, please visit our website.” The preliminaries dealt with, she glided up to the entrance.
Inside