AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My eyes stung, and I sent a message back.
Hi Mom and Dad,
I’m so happy to hear Dad’s getting better! It’ll be good to go home and see everyone. I’m glad you both had a break. I’m working and seeing more of Paris. French is still a challenge and I have to plan everything I say, but I’m loving it here. It’s beautiful and I’m working on a fashion show this week! I’m so happy.
I’m going to a concert tonight with my boss! I’ll send photos.
I miss you and love you both.
Nadia
Knowing Tomas, he will dress to impress, and I also needed to rise to the occasion. I had a black beaded sequin fringe mini dress that I’d been waiting for a good time to wear. It was strappy, with an open back. I showered and changed into it and chose high heels. I stared at my reflection and tensed. I looked…normal.
All the pain I’d been through wasn’t visible. What did that mean? How could I not be upset? That was the daily struggle after everything that happened on the boat. My parents kept me occupied, and so had work. But the concert and fashion show were public and often posted online. My heart raced and my mind filled up with worry. I decided to call Doctor Casey, which was our agreement in an emergency. She answered on the second ring.
“Hello, Nadia.”
“Hello. Is this an okay time?”
“Any time is okay. I’m only five minutes from calling you back whenever you need to talk,” she said in a soothing voice. “How are you?”
I leaned against the top of the desk. “I’m…I’m mostly okay…My boss invited me to a concert tonight, and I feel weird about going. Like I should still be grieving….”
“You are grieving. You’re also trying to get back to normal life. That’s what is most important. But think about what’s at the core of your worry. What is your “what if” thought?”
I paused to think about it and then told her. “What if someone films me and puts it online? It could ruin the cases.” I chewed on my bottom lip.
“Let me ask you something. If you are filmed, does that mean what happened to you didn’t happen?”
“No,” I answered.
“Can you control the public?”
“No, I can’t. I can only control myself.” I blew out my breath.
“Good. Take it minute by minute, day by day. You have a life to live, and you deserve it. You’re not responsible for the actions of others.”
Doctor Casey’s words were encouraging. What happen was a fact that occurred in my past. No one could change that. I had a right to keep trying to move forward with my life.
“Thank you, Doctor Casey.”
“You’re welcome. Call me anytime.”
I put my phone away and returned to getting ready for the concert. I kept my hair in a low ponytail so I wouldn’t ruin the view of the people around me with big hair. Ten minutes later, I had a text from Tomas, and I was out the door.
Tomas stepped out of the car, and his eyes widened as I came out to stand before him.
“You look stunning.” He kissed my cheek.
“Is it too much?” I glanced back at the door and inventoried my closet in my head.
“What’s too much for a concert?” Tomas had on one of his tailored suits, but even he had on a neon sequined shirt. He helped me into his car, and we were off to Stade de France. The lines to get in were long, but somehow, they moved quickly. A sea of people stretched out from a beautiful runway and a stage right out of the movie set of Metropolis. We had reached the space age. Alana was the alien queen that ruled this new world. Her flawless soprano climbed to defying heights and was embellished by a troop of dancers moving in rhythmic sync movements that kept on point with the pulsing beat.
Tomas hugged me and cheered. “Oh, she looks celestial.”
“C’est fantastique.”
Tomas lifted my hand up as she came strutting down the runway. Alana’s songs flowed with seamless outfit changes. It was an eye feast, and we dined well. Tomas knew every song, like me, and we sang and danced. And for those magical hours, I was revived.
