The Lily's Splendor

"Can I offer you a drink?" the flight attendant asked with a kind smile. I tore my gaze away from the little window to look up at the stewardess that had been assigned to take care of me. "Ginger-ale please." I mustered a smile back. The flight attendant nodded before walking away. I turned back to the window and into the gray skies and mist. What a change from living in New Zealand all my life to now moving to a small, tucked away town in Nantucket, Massachusetts. It was like stepping out of a picture filled with white-sanded beaches and green hills, to walking into a Thomas Kinkade painting. The stewardess came back and placed my drink on the small table with a square napkin tucked underneath. When she lingered, I looked up at her with inquiry. "I know I'm not supposed to bother passengers, especially in first class, but I couldn't't help but notice that you're wearing an original Derketo design." she gazed longingly at my peasant blouse before going to my huge purse that rested against my sandaled feet. "Oh, thank you. My grandmother . . . she sent them to me." I said, not admitting that my grandmother was also the designer. "Wow! Aren't you lucky to have such a grandmother," The stewardess gushed, going on about how she was saving up for a purse that was $2500. She paused when the pilot's voice came through the speakers saying that we would be landing soon. The seat-belt sign lit up with a soft chime. "Gotta go. Welcome to Massachusetts." she said before walking away. "Great tan by the way," she mouthed back before attending to the other passengers. A shame I could't tell her that I had inherited my lightly tanned skin from my mother. My arms crossed over my stomach as my heart winced in pain at the thought of my mother. I quickly busied myself with tightening my seat-belt, clasping my hands tightly as the plane began its descent before bumpily hitting the runway. “Please stay seated until the plane has come to a complete stop. And welcome back to Massachusetts. For those of you visiting, we hope you have a wonderful vacation.” a flight attendant’s cheery voice said before cutting off. I waited until the plane stopped before shouldering my bag and throwing my sweater over my arm and then walking out of the airplane, down the terminal and to the conveyor belt. “Hey Mathew.” I greeted my grandmother’s familiar chauffer. “Hello Kyra. Did you have a nice flight?” “Yes, I did.” He nodded before taking the cart from my hands and steering it out the double doors. I followed him to the black limo parked at the curb. He unlocked and opened the back door for me before putting my stuff in the trunk. Pulling a cart over, I stood next to the other passengers and waited for our baggage to drop out of the chute. I grimaced when that sudden tingling sensation began to travel over my arms and down my legs to my toes. It was an odd feeling, but not at all painful or uncomfortable. As I rubbed my bare arms, I noticed two young guys looking straight at me. I averted my eyes, keeping my head down and letting my hair curtain my face.  This seemed to happen wherever I went, even in my previous school. It had started two years ago, when I turned sixteen. My mother and I had been window shopping when I noticed three young men noticeably staring at me from across the street. What had me shrink back was when their eyes had taken on a glazed look before they started to cross the street, even without looking both ways. My mother had grabbed my shoulders and steered me away, saying nothing or answering any of my questions.  That very same night she had given me a necklace that had a single crystallized water lily as big as a quarter. My mother had said that it was a very special necklace and that I must never take it off. From that day on, I always wore my necklace. Oddly, it always matched any outfit I decided to wear, from formal to my comfortable “bum” clothing. It never even rusted after showers. My hand went up and comfortingly held it just as the buzzer sounded and the conveyor belt began to move. I concentrated on finding my three matching Derketo luggages. As soon as I spotted one I quickly went over and grasped the strap. I jumped when a pair of masculine hands went over mine. It was one of the guys that had been staring. “Allow me.” he hoisted the bag over and gently placed it on the cart all the while never taking his eyes off of me. “Do you have anymore?” the other guy came up to my other side. “Uh, yes.Two more.” I smiled my appreciation at them, especially since I hadn’t exactly packed light. “Just point us to them,” one of them said. They both smiled at me. They looked like tourists with a camera hanging from one of their necks while the other wore a sweatshirt with ‘San Diego’ written in big letters. “Okay, and thank you.” I said sincerely. When they had all three bags on the cart, they looked to me as if waiting for me to give them further instructions on what to do next. “Thank you guys so much.” I said once more as I began to push the cart and walk away. They were about to say something and even took steps forward, but I looked away as I hurried my pace. It wasn’t until I knew that they weren’t following that I slowed down. When I came to the end where people milled round, trying to find their friend or loved one, I automatically searched for my grandmother until my eyes spotted a sign with “Kyra Derketo” written on it. The man holding up the sign was dressed like one of those limousine drivers from the 1950’s; complete with a sailor-looking hat. I wheeled the cart over to him and he smiled until I came to a stop right in front of him.  “Welcome to Massachusetts. We’ll soon be in Nantucket.” Mathew said cheerfully when he had buckled his seat-belt and turned on the ignition. We made eye contact through the rear-view mirror. I nodded as I leaned back into my seat just as he pulled out. My eyes instantly became heavy with sleep when we entered the ferry that would take us out to the well-knownisland. Since I hadn’t slept all night or even on the plane, I bunched up my sweater, pressed it against the  window before leaning my head against it and closing my eyes for a small cat nap. Half an hour later I woke up to the soft drumming of the rain. Stretching every limb, I sat up and looked out into the blurred scenery.  Here I was, a seventeen year-old, being picked up at the airport by a limousine after riding in first class and moving in with my grandmother who is a well known model and fashion designer, especially among celebrities. I should be dancing and grinning from ear to ear for such a dream to come true and happen to me. But I wasn’t. I will be starting my senior year of high-school in a completely new school, having to make new friends all over again although I honestly didn’t have the energy or care to form friendships. And it wasn’t as if I had left any friends back home. I never did. I’d definitely miss the lush rainforests, sweeping coastlines, and gorgeous mountains that I used to hike back in the North Island of New Zealand. I would have been nervous in coming to such a new environment and change, but I’m not. All I can feel is numb. If only my mother’s life hadn’t been taken away by the very seas that surround my grandmother’s house. If only my father hadn’t wasted away from depression after my mother’s disappearance, leaving me completely and utterly alone; leaving me wondering why I hadn’t been enough for him. “Will you look at that! Must be dolphins.” Mathew mused. I unbuckled my seat-belt and slid over to the other window where it viewed out into the stormy swells of the Gulf Stream that led out into the Atlantic. There had to be at least half a dozen of pale grey bodies with fins, leaping in and out of the waves in synchronizing harmony. I blinked when I saw that one of the tails was covered in camouflaging scales that glinted off of what little sunlight there was. Dolphins don’t have scales. I practically glued my nose to the cold window, trying to catch that solitary fish that swam with the dolphins. It must be a rather large fish to have a tail that size. I leaned back into my seat when they had suddenly disappeared and didn’t resurface. “We’re almost there. Your grandmother sends her apologies for not being able to get you herself. She had an important meeting with one of her clients,” Mathew said as the ferry ride came to an end. Once they docked, Mathew revved up the engine and slowly made his way out and into a cobble-stoned road. “It’s alright.” I said. I knew how important my grandmother was. Celebrities clamored over each other just to have an original gown designed by her. My grandmother had even written and said that I didn’t need to pack any clothes since she had enthusiastically designed a whole new wardrobe for me. So I had only packed my most sentimental and comfortable clothing. Since my grandmother obviously had money, she felt that I should go to the most expensive and private school the small town had to offer with only twenty-three students in the graduating class; twenty-four if you included me. Thankfully, this private school did not require for us to wear skirts or anything, just their signature colors which were purple, red and black. I sighed, honestly not really caring about what I had to wear. School wouldn’t start for another week, on the first day of fall. Tomorrow was on my mind for it marked the one-year anniversary of my mother’s disappearance. I remember standing next to my grandmother at the memorial. No casket or urn of ashes. My mother’s body had never been found. Then, about a year later and four days ago, I was standing over my father’s casket as it was lowered into the ground.  When I noticed the scenery outside still, I snapped back to reality and away from my memories. We were in the center of the stoned roundabout, facing the front of my grandmother’s grand beach house. It was starch white with two columns supporting the glass covering over the double doors. White rose-bushes wrapped around the house with a few trellises climbing to the top. “Will you be taking your usual room?” Mathew asked. “Yeah.” I replied as I got out of the car before he could open my door for me. A cold, wet breeze whipped by, hardly making me shiver. My skin practically soaked it up. “Can I help?” I went over to the trunk but was gently ushered away by a pair of hands that came up from behind me. “We will take it up to your room.” the familiar butler named Felix, said.“You’ll find your grandmother in the study.” he said before his head disappeared into the trunk along with Mathew’s. Holding onto my purse, I skipped my way up the familiar steps and through the framedglass doors. A maid that was dusting off a table stopped and smiled at me before going back to swishing the plump feathers across the wooden surface. I made my way to the study that had the French-doors wide open with soft voices floating out and into the foyer. I came to stand by the door and watched my grandmother lean her hip against the edge of her cherry-wood desk while some important looking man leaned over sketches that were strewn about the desk’s smooth surface. I noticed that my grandmother had chopped her long golden locks and it was now just above her shoulders, styled and fashioned with waves and curls that gave her a Marilyn Monroe look. Over all, it looked beautiful, amazing in fact. I think if she were to shave her head, she would still look gorgeous. “I have to say Charlyze, your work is always brilliant.” The man looked up at her and genuinely smiled. My grandmother, who didn’t look a day older than thirty, waved her hand as she looked up and met my eyes. “Kyra! Why didn’t anyone tell me that you had arrived?” she came over and hugged me tightly. The man straightened as he looked me over. “Antonio, this is my granddaughter Kyra.” she introduced us. I shook his extended hand before turning to my grandmother just as my skin began to tingle again.“Excuse us Antonio.” My grandmother put her arm around my shoulders as she steered me out of the study and to the wide hallway. The tingling disappeared just as suddenly as it had come. Perhaps I had a nerve disorder? “Did you have a nice trip dear?” my grandmother asked as we went up the stairs. “Yes. It went fine.” I said.     “Good. By the way, I had your usual room redecorated,” she said with excitement. “You didn’t have to do that.” “Hush. I only have one granddaughter. I will not have you steal the pleasure of spoiling you away from me. If I want to pamper you, I will. Be glad I didn’t send you my private plane.” she pursed her lips into a cute pout. I couldn’t help but smile and hug her around her slim waist. “I hope you like it. I went with this design that I found from the latest Better Homes and Garden issue that I know you will just love.” she gushed just as we came to the door. She opened it and stepped aside, allowing me to enter and see. My room literally looked as if it had just been transported out of the glossy magazine. The once white walls were now a warm yellow. The day-bed had been traded in for a four-poster king-size bed. A beautiful antique desk sat across from the bed with one wall holding built-in shelves that overflowed with books and elegant knick-knacks. In front of the shelves sat a comfortable looking chaise lounge the color of navy blue with an embroidered white throw on the arm.     Black and white square portraits hung here and there, containing pictures of me and my mother as I grew up. Walking over to the bed, I ran my hand over the magnificent quilt as I inclined my head up to see the portrait hanging above the bed’s headboard. It was the only one in color, depicting a calm sea that spread across the wide canvas with a small group of beautiful women dressed in elegant, white dresses as they danced on the shore. “I have never seen this picture before.” I said as I gazed at it, furrowing my eyebrows when one of the women looked vaguely familiar but I couldn’t quite place her. Her long, flowing hair— the color of the sun— masked most of her face. “I had it stored, but now I thought that it might have some use. And perhaps you might like it.” my grandmother shrugged her shoulders. She walked to the cathedral windows that might as well have been doors and separated the heavy drapes to let in more light. I joined her in looking out into the sea’s horizon. “I miss her.” I broke the silence. “Yes. As do I.” my grandmother said, not taking her eyes away from the tumbling waves. “Will you be alright tomorrow if you are on your own? I must go to the mainland to have my designs finalized. Then I have a fashion show that I must attend to. I will be gone for three days at the most. Unless you care to accompany me?” she asked with a raised brow, already knowing my answer. I didn’t hate modeling, but nor did I like the scene. “I’ll be fine. I have a lot of unpacking to do and I’m sure I will find many ways to entertain myself while you’re gone.” “I will leave Mathew here in case you want to go out.” “Okay. Thanks.” I hugged her as she patted my back. “I’ll leave you to get settled. I’ve left Antonio waiting long enough.” she kissed my forehead before walking away, leaving her Dior perfume scent behind. Once the door clicked shut, my legs buckled beneath me until I was sitting on the hardwood floor. Hugging my knees to my chest, I let the tears fall that I had been holding in ever since my grandmother had put her arms around me; arms that reminded me of my mother’s. I felt so alone. A cool breeze rustled the lace curtains beneath the heavy ones. The smell of salt and seaweed filled my senses as I wiped my cheeks and got up to look out at the swells. Here and there you could see light-houses surrounded by tall, withering grass that bended to and fro with the wind. It really was a beautiful place that occasionally even had the president vacationing here. Quaint Bed and Breakfasts lined up some of the streets along with numerous cafes and boutiques…boutiques that I used to browse through with my mother. “I miss you mom . . . why,” my voice broke, “. . . why did you have to go out that day?” I whispered as my fingers gently clutched onto my necklace. I glanced down at it when the charm began to feel unnaturally warm. I stumbled back when it began to glow from the center of the lily into pulsing light. It almost looked as if it was breathing. Fumbling with the clasp, I slipped the necklace off, holding it in the palm of my trembling hand. The glow had instantly ceased, as did the heat. It was back to looking like an ordinary charm. “Great, now I am hallucinating.” I sighed, fastening the necklace until the lily was back in its usual resting place, just below my collar bone. I got up to my feet and went to the walk-in closet where I found my suit cases waiting for me to unpack them. Deciding to leave the rest for later, I only took out my pajamas and the necessary toiletries. The comfy-looking bed beckoned me. After switching my clothes for my tank top and boxers, I pulled the covers back and slipped in, loving how cold it was. I slept better in cool temperatures. I even took cold showers, rarely ever desiring for those hot steaming baths many swore on. Hugging one of the several pillows to my chest, I easily fell into a deep sleep.