I’m A Goddess?!

Before The Move

After Thanksgiving the Salvadores family were quite busy. Craig spent his time getting his family’s passports and paperwork together. Bertha started packing their belongings little by little—beginning with the things they don’t need at the moment, saving the essentials for last. Annabelle has already gotten her parent’s blessing to marry Miguel and to move to America with him. She even decided to move in with him the day after Thanksgiving.

    Her parents had the splendid idea of having a bridal shower for her before she moved, just in case they wouldn’t be able to make it for the wedding; for they have not yet decided when and where it would take place.

    And Eva, the most excited of them all, spent her time daydreaming in class and walking the dogs in the forest everyday after school. Eva just couldn’t wait to move, even though she knew she would miss Spain. Though at the same time she felt like there wouldn’t be much to miss. She had no real friends, no relatives as she lived in the same old village since the day she was born. She was ready to live life from a different point of view. 

    Today is December 1st and the Salvadores’ will be moving January 1st. They plan to celebrate Christmas and the bridal shower on the same day at Annabelle’s house. Today is also the first day of snow in this quaint little village. Children were playing in the snow; making snowmen and having snowball fights.

    Eva decided it would be better to cozy up by the fire in case Lily was outside. “Eva, why don’t you go outside and play?” Annabelle asked as she read her magazine. “I don’t want to talk about it.” “Eva!” Bertha interrupted. “What is it Mom?” “Lily’s on the phone! She’s wondering if you want to go over for some coffee and cookies.” “Really?” Eva asked being a bit confused. “You should go!” Annabelle said urging her on. “Well, ok! Tell her I’ll be right over!” “Very well, dear.” Eva grabbed her coat and went on her way.

    As Eva trudged through the snow she looked longingly at it, wishing she could play instead of being inside all day. Suddenly, the smell of baking cookies caught her attention, so she decided to get some breakfast. “I think I’ll have a pastry!”   

    The bell rang as she walked through the door. “Eva? Is that you dearie?” “Hello Mrs. Rosie! Lovely day today isn’t it?” Eva said. “Only if you like the bitter cold, I tell you! My, my what can I help you with today?” “I would like one chocolate filled pastry roll please!” Eva said cheerfully. 

    “One scrumptious roll coming right up!” Mrs. Rosie said with a bubbly tone as she put on her gloves to put the roll in a small, thin paper bag. “That’ll be 50 cents dear!” “Here you go!” Eva said handing her the coins. “Why thank you! Enjoy your breakfast!” Mrs. Rosie said as she put the coins in the register. 

    “Oh, by the way.” Mrs. Rosie began. “When you go to America, be sure to keep an eye out for that special someone!” “Mrs. Rosie.” Eva said blushing. “I told you hundreds of times that I’m not getting married.” “Well this old lady just doesn’t believe you!” She said with a wink. “Ok, well, I better get going! I have a friend waiting for me. Goodbye!” Eva said laughing nervously. Mrs. Rosie just giggled.

    “Why doesn’t anyone ever believe me?!” Eva said still blushing as she took a bite out of that delicious roll. Eva walked on as she saw cars, roofs, and treetops all covered in snow. Eva finally arrived at Lily’s house. And before she could knock, the door flung open. “Eva!” “Hi Lily!” “I’ve been waiting for you! Do come in!” 

    Eva removed her coat and hung it on the wall as Lily closed the door behind her. Lily guided Eva to the living room where she saw Amanda and Susan quaintly sipping on some coffee as they held their heads high with their posture perfectly straight. “Why Eva, it’s good to see you again.” Susan said smirking. “It’s good to see you too.” Eva knew she was obviously lying. Eva and Lily sat down to join them.

    Lily, Amanda and Susan had the longest conversation about the new, frilly dresses in the shops and they did carry on about the handsome new boy that joined their class before winter break. Eva just twirled her spoon in her drink. 

    “Oh Eva, by the way.” Amanda began. “We did want to apologize about how we treated you at the festival the other day.” “Oh really, there’s no need to apologize. I’m sure you meant well, after all, I-“ “I mean.” Amanda said smiling at Susan. “If you want to be a creepy five year old woman that jumps around in bounce houses that’s fine with us!” Amanda said as she and Susan bursted out laughing. 

    Eva’s eyes started filling up with tears. Even Lily was trying to hold back her laughter. “That does it!” Eva exclaimed furiously as she got up from her chair. “Eva, sit down. You’re embarrassing me.” Lily said nonchalantly. “Oh really? Well allow me to spare you from any more disgrace. I’m not your friend anymore and I never will be again you two- faced little hussy!” The room fell silent as they were in shock. 

  “E-Eva!” “No, Lily! All you care about is being popular now! So much so that you would actually sacrifice friendship with your very best friend! You are even embarrassed to be seen with me, that’s why you’re always trying to change me! And that is not true friendship. True friendship is accepting your friends for who they really are! Never speak to me again!” Eva shouted as she slammed the door. “Eva, no!” 

    Eva ran as fast as her feet could take her—her heart pounding in her chest. She ran very deep in the forest, to a part where she’s never been to before. It was a small field surrounded by very old trees. There were deer walking about and owls flying from one tree to another.  Eva fell on her knees and wept. For the first time in her life, she felt like she didn’t have a friend in the world.     

    “Why are you crying?” A voice said from behind her. She slowly turned around to see the same cloaked man as she saw before; only this time she could see part of his face. All that she could tell was that he was a young man with beautiful blue eyes. “Oh, it’s nothing.” Eva said wiping her face. “If it was nothing, would you be weeping so deep in the forest all on your own?” He said kneeling down next to her, looking contently in her eyes. 

    “It’s just, my best friend isn’t my friend anymore. She no longer cares about me.” “Now I’m sure that’s not true.” He said pulling her hair back from her face. “Wait, what are you doing?” She said getting up, her face turning red. “And why am I speaking to a stranger? I better go!” She said walking away briskly. 

    “Before you go.” The stranger said as he got back up. “Give your friend one more chance. She may just be confused as to who her real friends are.” Eva stopped and looked back. “Maybe you’re right. Thank you, mister.” She said as she headed back home. “Why does my heart feel so warm?” Eva thought as she walked on. Eva was lost but somehow she guessed her way back.

    “Eva, you’re home!” Bertha said. “How did it go?” Eva paused for a bit then she looked up at her mother and smiled, saying, “It went well!” Days turned into weeks and before they knew it it was Christmas Eve. It was the night before Christmas and the family gathered around the fireplace with stockings hung and with a beautiful Christmas tree brightly decorated. 

    They were drinking egg nog as they talked and laughed together. The house was virtually empty as they were almost finished packing. “So tomorrow’s Christmas!” Eva said with great excitement. “And Annabelle’s bridal shower.” Bertha said with her cup of egg nog close to her lips. “Lily and her family are going so you’ll have someone to talk to Eva!” Bertha said taking a sip. “Yah.” Eva said curling up and looking into the fire.   

    “Also we board the plane in less than a week!” Craig added. “There’s so much excitement going on!” Miguel said putting his arm around Annabelle’s shoulder. “Would you guys like me to read you the story of Papa Noel?” Bertha said pulling the book from a box. “Uh, we’re a bit too old for that story now.” Miguel said. “Oh, but it’s our tradition!” Bertha said sadly. “I feel that I’m too old for that story too, let’s just enjoy the eggnog!” Eva said gulping it down. Everyone just laughed. 

     And as night turned into morning, it was Christmas Day! “Eva!” Bertha said gently. “Mmmm, let me sleep.” Eva said pulling the covers over her head. “Now, don’t tell me you’re too old for presents, too!” “Presents?” Eva gasped. “It’s Christmas!” Eva said rolling off the bed. “Careful, Eva!” Bertha said laughing. “Mom, Merry Christmas!” Eva said giving her a hug. “You too, dear!” Bertha said.

     Eva ran out into the living room. “Merry Christmas everyone!” “Merry Christmas!” They all replied. They were eating breakfast, “Chocolate’ con Churros.” After they finished breakfast, they gathered round the Christmas tree. “I’m very sorry everyone, but this year we could only afford one gift per person since our funds are spent on moving.” Craig said rubbing the back of his head.   

    “Oh, that’s alright Dad, this is wonderful!” Eva said rummaging around for her gift. Craig smiled. “Why don’t you play Papa Noel this year; seeing as how you are already sorting through the gifts?” Craig said. “Sure!” Eva said finding her gift at last.   

    She set it aside and handed everyone their gifts. As Eva opened hers, she unwrapped a diamond paw print necklace. “Oh my goodness, I love it!” Eva said. “Very suiting for an animal lover such as yourself!” Miguel said chuckling. “I know! It’s perfect!” Eva said twirling it around to watch it glisten. As everyone opened their gifts, Eva put on her necklace and looked out the window to watch it snow. “Merry Christmas, Eva.” She heard. “Merry Christmas to you too!” She replied. “Huh? We didn’t say anything.” Miguel said looking rather confused. 

    Eva was shocked but maintained her composure. “I mean, Merry Christmas to you all! This is one of the best Christmas’ ever!” She said gripping the edge of the window sill. “I know it is, it is the last one we will spend in Spain.” Said Bertha. “But there will be many more to come.” Craig said admiring the handiwork of his new pipe. Miguel and Annabelle exchanged their gifts. Miguel got a locket with a picture of Annabelle and himself inside. “I will treasure this always!” Miguel said kissing Annabelle on the cheek. Annabelle opened her gift to find a framed picture of them together on the first day they became a couple. “I love it my dear!” Annabelle said giving him a hug. “Remember we asked that stranger to take a picture of us as soon as we became a couple?” Miguel asked. Annabelle giggled. “Yes, and he asked why your face was red. He thought you’ve been out in the sun for too long.” “Heh heh, no. I was just overwhelmed by love.” Miguel said wrapping his arm around her. 

    “Well, Merry Christmas everybody! Salud!” Craig announced as he lifted a glass of eggnog. “Salud!” Everyone else replied as they raised their glasses for a toast. “It’s time to clean up our mess and head over Annabelle’s house for the bridal shower.” Craig said as he lifted himself off his chair. Everyone worked together to clean up the shreds of gift wrapping.

    After having celebrated Christmas everyone started getting dressed for Annabelle’s bridal shower. Miguel and Annabelle didn’t want a traditional bridal shower-where the men couldn’t come-but wanted the sort of celebration where everyone was invited. 

    As Annabelle finished up, putting on her beautiful golden earrings, Miguel knocked on the slightly opened door. “May I come in?” “Of course you may, my dear.” Annabelle said looking back, smiling. Annabelle was wearing a white satin dress with light blue laces while Miguel was wearing a tuxedo. He wrapped her in his arms. “I’m sorry if this is all too sudden for you.” “Don’t worry about it, Miguel.” Annabelle said closing her eyes-enjoying his embrace. “Change can happen suddenly sometimes. But this change is for the better.”

    As everyone got in the car it started to snow heavily. “Oh no.” Eva said looking up. “Don’t worry, I’m a great driver.” Craig said winking. They made it within ten whole minutes. It would usually take about five but Craig drove ever so slowly.

    They knocked on the door and were greeted by Annabelle’s very excited mother. “Oh, here is the guest of honor! Come on in!” She exclaimed holding out her hand towards the entry way-inviting them inside. Everyone clapped as they walked in. The guests included Annabelle’s family, Miguel’s family, their closest friends, and Eva’s “friends”: Lily, Susan and Amanda. There were gifts, balloons, a nicely set table with tons of food and a blazing fireplace. 

    There was a lot of noise and excitement going on. Miguel was hanging out with his buddies one last time, Annabelle was showing off her engagement ring and Eva forced herself to sit with Lily and her friends.

    “Hi.” Eva said looking down, not quite knowing what to say as she contemplated giving Lily another chance. “Eva.” Lily said putting her hand on Eva’s. “I’m so sorry for everything.” “You are?” Eva asked bewildered by Lily’s sincerity. “Yes. And you’re right. I did jeopardize our friendship by trying to fit in. I hope you can forgive me.” “Of course.” Eva said warmly. 

    Eva looked over at Amanda and Susan. Their arms were crossed as if they were furious at Eva for stealing Lily away from them. “Lily, I want you to keep your friends. I’m sure that they’re good people deep, deep, deep, dee-“ “Ahem!” Amanda said angrily. Eva tried to suppress her laughter. “What I mean is, we can be friends just as long as you don’t try to force me to be like them.” “Deal!” Lily said as they stood up to hug.

    “I’m really going to miss you. Won’t you write me?” “Yes I will!” Eva said smiling. “Be sure to tell me all about America when you get there. I heard that’s the place where dreams come true!” “Let’s hope so. That’s the whole reason my father wants to go.” “Don’t you?” Lily asked. “Well, I’m going to have to start over in every sense of the word. What if I don’t like it there? What if I don’t make any friends?” “I’m sure that you being the good person that you are will make plenty of friends!” “Thanks!” Eva said. “Wow, that stranger was right.” Eva thought. “All I had to do was give her another chance. I wonder who he is anyways.” 

    It came time in the bridal shower to open gifts. Annabelle’s gifts varied from new outfits to jewelry; even pacifiers as sort of an inside joke. “Thank you so much everyone!” Annabelle said raising a glass of champagne. “A toast, to love! Not only to the love between Miguel and I but to the love we share for one another!” “Salud!” Everyone replied as they lifted their glasses. 

    As the shower ended and everyone started to leave, Lily began to cry.”What’s wrong?” Eva asked. “This may be the last time I’ll ever see you.” “No.” Eva said holding her hands. “We will meet again. I plan to visit as often as possible.” “Good. Because I’d be mad if you didn’t.” Lily said laughing. Eva and Lily said their goodbyes and off the Salvadores’ went to retire after a long day.

    “Did everyone have a good time?” Bertha asked the group as they were driving home. “Yes!” They all exclaimed. “There was so much food.” Eva said in a dreamy voice. “And I got enough gifts to last me a year!” Annabelle laughed. “Just a few more days for my life to begin.” Eva thought as she looked out the window. She watched the snow fall and drifted off to sleep.