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My eyes went wide. My mother passed me another envelope. The same thing for three of the finest clothes emporiums of the Upper East Side.
“And now this.” My mom passed me a blue box with a white bow. Tiffany’s. Inside was the most beautiful bangle bracelet in white gold. Etched with a feather design.
My mouth dropped open. It matched my eighteenth birthday dress. The one I’d kept hidden.
“Mom.”
“I saw the dress during the renovations. I’m afraid I know all the tricks about hiding purchases; I used to do it with your father before our wealth increased and I no longer had to hide anything.”
My eyes sought reassurance from hers that everything was alright.
“The dress is beautiful, and you are going to look sensational. I called Romana and sent her details, and she has changed your hair and make-up plans to complement the change of outfit. She’ll be here at four-thirty, so you should hurry home from school.”
“I will. Thank you for everything. My birthday has already been like a dream.”
“Well, we realized that at any time soon, you could have your own career, your own family, and your own home. While you’re still here, we want you to have everything you desire. Maybe I’m being soft, but I guess it’s our bribery to keep you here a little longer.” My father said. “However, everything we have had fitted moves. The whole of the closet, the whole of the library. When and if you marry and move out, you can take them with you.”
I was even more dumbstruck. In fact, the whole of the morning felt surreal. I’d thought my parents were largely disinterested in my life and yet here they were celebrating my birthday. My gifts were amazing, and my Mom was allowing me to wear the dress I thought she’d make me change out of the minute she saw it.
I got ready for school and ran to the door when I heard a beep.
When I went outside, I’d thought it was strange that my parents followed me to the door.
Parked in front of the house was a Porsche Boxter RS60. Though able to drive, I’d never asked for a car as Jeff took me to school and I had a driver at my disposal the rest of the time. But here it was. Larissa and Jeff jumped out of his jeep parked in front, and she ran over to me hugging me towards her and squealing. “Happy birthday, BFF.”
“This is from you?” I shrieked.
“Well, of course, it’s from my parents, but on behalf of me. I have lots of other things for you too, but mainly I asked them for this because you need your own wheels, babe.” She leant over me and whispered, “Can’t have clandestine affairs with teachers if you have to tell the driver where you’re going.”
“Larissa!”
She winked.
“Okay, you’re driving yourself to school.” She threw the keys at me. “I’m ditching Jeff and riding shotgun. Let’s go.”
I ran around to the driver’s seat and threw my tote in the footwell. I stroked my hands down the all red interior. “I can’t believe you got me a car!”
Larissa jumped in, “I know, I’m amazing,” she giggled, and with a wave, at my parents, we were on our way to school.
School passed relatively quietly as other students were bringing their gifts to my party, though we gossiped non-stop about my presents received so far. What amused me was it was the Upper East Side, and a personal library was tame in comparison to some of my classmates own eighteenth birthday gifts: exclusive intimate concerts with top pop stars, some had been bought their own homes and islands. I hoped that although I was around ridiculous wealth, my main gift kept me grounded. Books travelled along every level of society. The gift of reading kept on giving. I vowed to do a fundraiser soon for people who were unable to read.
Julian had sat at my side at lunch and excitedly told me that I would love his gift.
While I was eating my lunch, my cell buzzed. It had been happening all day with messages arriving from family, and friends who couldn’t make the party but sent me their best wishes. I almost ignored it, but unopened texts and messages made me antsy, so I pulled it from my tote.
Unknown number: Happy birthday, Candy. I hope it brings you everything you have dreamed of. I want to give you my address. If you ever need me for anything, I’m here: 250 West 50th Street. P x
I threw it back in my tote like it was made of molten lava. I couldn’t deal with thoughts of Parker today.
I stood in front of the mirror and could hardly believe my reflection. The dress I had purchased had a skin tone colored lining, making it appear I was naked below the fine lacy silver spun overlay. It had a sweetheart neckline, sleeves that tapered out to a slight flare at the wrist and it fit me like a glove down to my feet where again it flared out slightly. The elasticity of the outfit meant that it moved with me and wasn’t difficult to move around in. The silver overlay was a fretwork of feathers; it had reminded me of a pen quill when I had seen it. My hair had been straightened, pulled back behind one ear and waved to emulate a movie star style from the olden days. I had smoky eyes, outlined with black kohl; and fake eyelashes and a red lip completed the look. For jewelry, it had been kept simple with my bangle, and a jeweled clip that held the side of my hair back. The stylist felt the dress was enough of a jewel. My feet were encased in Badgley Mischka crystal embellished sandals, and I had a small black purse containing only my car keys and my cell. I wasn’t sure why I’d even bothered with a purse, but I didn’t feel complete without one.
When my father saw me, he spluttered and told my mother I needed to get changed. She’d had to get a scotch organized for him to calm down his raised blood pressure.
The party progressed without a hitch. Every element organized to perfection. There was a well-known DJ entertaining the dance floor and magicians brought in from Las Vegas worked the seated crowds.
Julian arrived with his parents. An only child, his father was also a politician, though less prominent than my own, and his mother an ex-beauty queen. They walked over to where I stood with my parents.
Julian’s eyes almost bulged out of his sockets when he saw me. His mother swept in to kiss both of my cheeks, and his father shook my hand. Then they did the same with my parents.
