Faerie Fire

Breakfast and Dreams

"Come in!" Tempest called. As she plopped down on the bed.

Her mother entered holding a tray laden with French toast, bacon, strawberries and cream, summer sausage, cheese, a pitcher of juice, two glasses, and other mixed fruit.

"Breakfast in bed? What's the occasion?" Tempest inquired quizzically.

"The first day of the rest of your life!" her mother responded enthusiastically. Then she pulled the fold out legs from the bottom of the tray creating a breakfast table on the bed. She joined Tempest on the bed and began to poor juice into the glasses, handing one to her daughter.

"So what's up next? Now that Highschool is over and the world is at your fingertips?"

Tempest paused, "Well... I've been looking into some aerial classes in South Point."

Her mother nodded, genuinely interested in hearing more. Tempest loved that about her mother. When her mother listened, she did it with her whole body. There was no doubt about her level of interest, no doubt of her support, and no lack of enthusiasm or encouragement. Of all the mothers in the world, she was pretty certain she had the best one. Her mother did not do anything the traditional way, she forged her own path, and followed her dreams, and brought those dreams into reality. If Tempest could achieve half as much as her mother had, she would be happy.

"I was thinking I could start there, and continue to work at the flower shop throughout the summer, and maybe pick up a 2nd part-time job at the theater. Then maybe when I get good enough, I can get the Troupe in South Point to book a performance here." Her mother nodded.

"That sounds like a great plan, when you're ready let me know what kind of performance clothes you want, I'll make some sketches and draw up the patterns!"

"Of course you jump straight to wardrobe, before I even have the strength or skills!"

"Well of course! Also let them know I can help with Any backdrops they want!"

"Well yes, because at least if I'm a clumsy fool on the hoop, I'll look fabulous falling, in an artistic setting!"

"Precisely, expertly, gracefully, artistically flat on your face." They both laughed as they continued to joke about failure, gradually washing all fear away with laughter and excitement.

"Why don't I put in a good word for you with Tony at the theater? I've been helping him with the backdrops for ages, I'm sure he'll be thrilled to have you on board." This was one of the many benefits of being the daughter of the town's most active and productive artist. Cassandra was incredible. She was always creating, always planning, always getting involved. The town was her canvas, and she created beauty and masterpieces everywhere she went. Her greatest, masterpieces, she always said, were her children. Cassandra had two children when she moved to Vanishing Point. Tempest's older brother had died several years ago in an unfortunate accident. The last time the Dark Fog rolled in actually. Odd it used to roll in at about the same time every year. Just before Halloween, around the time of the New Moon, but there had been no sign of it for several years.

Music floated up the stairs through the open door as they were finishing up their breakfast.

Cassandra looked at her watch.

"Oh My! I forgot I had a 10 o'clock. Leave the tray by the sink Darling, and I'll take care of it later!" and with that her mother was gone, disappearing down the winding stairs that led to the main house portion of the lighthouse. Tempest lived in a room specially built just below the floor where the beacon was housed. Her own beautiful little tower, complete with a walk around balcony.

There was absolutely no way she was going to make her mom clean all this up. She laughed. She grabbed some clothes from the closet and draped them over her arm as she picked up the tray and glasses and headed down stairs. The first room at the base of the stairs was the kitchen. She quickly got to work putting any left overs in storage containers, and played tetris with the contents of the fridge. When everything was situated appropriately, she proceeded to wash the dishes and place them on the drying rack. Finally, she wiped down the tray and returned it to its rightful spot above the refrigerator.

The next room down the hall was the bathroom, Tempest opened the hall closet and went into the bathroom and began to prepare for her shower. The bathroom was spacious and had one of those old clawfoot tubs, which were amazing for baths. But they also had the shower head for when time was more tight. Although, she had plenty of time that day, Tempest opted for a quick shower, eager to sneak a peek at whoever her mom's 10 o'clock was. There were plenty of tourists in town this month, and when word gets around, some of the strangest portrait requests and commissions are brought up, especially when you possess the type of talent Cassandra did. It was as if she was blessed by the gods themselves and every piece was a testament to their glory.

Tempest slipped into her flares and peasant blouse, tying a handmade rainbow hipscarf around her hips. She quickly towel dried her hair, brushed it and picked out some fun dangle earrings. Last, but not least, the bejeweled Dragon pendant her brother had given her for the last birthday he spent with her. It had a sapphire in the middle because her favorite color was blue, and was studded with real diamonds. Tiny ones, but diamonds nonetheless, because Diamond was her birthstone for April. It must have cost him a small fortune! She wore it everyday, it made her feel close to him.

She took a deep breath, did a little twirl in front of the full length mirror in the bathroom, and skipped merrily down the hall. She came to a crisp stop just before the doorway and mischievously peaked into the East sitting room from which her mother's music issued forth. She took a quick glance around the room and her heart skipped a beat. That low growl returned in the back of her mind rumbling from her very core : "Mine!"