Read Online Sanctity by S. M. Bowles - Free Book Online Page B

catch my
eye. 
    “Why did you do that?”  He asked Brenda
as we walked away.  “You do realize how upsetting that must
have been for her?  She’s just a little girl, why would you
humiliate her like that?”  His voice was sharp and harsh but
muffled enough not to draw any unnecessary attention.
    “Good grief, Michael, why are you so
upset?”
    “These people are my guests and it is my
intention to show them every kindness tonight, especially
Elayna.”
    Brenda didn’t like the tone in his voice and
vengefully tossed a reply, “Ah, so she is not the only one with an
unnatural attachment I see.”
    I could feel Michael’s anger as my mom and I
made our way to the restrooms.  I concentrated very hard,
determined to keep him out of my thoughts.  Before we went in
my mother stopped and turned to me.  “It was very rude of
Brenda to embarrass you like that.  I’m sorry for it,” she
took a deep breath.  “Elayna, Mr. Donovan is a very handsome
man and it is perfectly normal to think so.  You are young now
and may not understand it completely but I think any woman of any
age would be hard pressed not to be attracted to him.  You
shouldn’t feel badly for appreciating beauty, no matter where you
find it.”
    My mother’s understanding made me feel
somewhat better but I was convinced that Brenda deliberately wanted
to hurt my feelings.  I couldn’t imagine facing Michael with
her words ringing in my ears.  I didn’t understand why Michael
would be with someone like her.  She was not at all deserving
of someone as remarkable as he was.  I sensed him trying to
apologize to me, so I pushed my bitterness aside. 
     I almost perceived a sigh of relief
from Michael when I finally found the courage to answer his
thoughts, “She’s not a very nice lady,” I tried not to sound angry,
just disappointed.
    “I’m sorry, I didn’t tell her you and your
family would be here.  It seemed appropriate that I have a
date though; men do not often go to the ballet alone,” there was a
touch of humor in his words.  “You are very important to me
and I wanted to do something special for you,” I knew he was being
sincere and tried to be understanding.
    Then Michael started sharing some of his
thoughts with me; how he knew I would enjoy the show and how he
carefully planned the night for some time.  Somehow he was
making me aware that there was no way I could have been there
without my parents.  He made sure I understood that he had
arranged to meet my father and convinced him to take the tickets,
then sent the car – extra insurance that we would all come. 
He tried to think of everything that could have gone wrong and
carefully constructed this to be a memorable night for me without
giving our friendship away.  And Brenda, she was just another
part of the plan.
    As we left the restroom my dad gave my
mother and I a little wave to get our attention.  He was
waiting to order drinks for each of us.  We met him in line
and he asked if either of us would like anything.  There was
not much to choose from so my mother and I each settled for a
bottle of water.  We collected our drinks and made our way
back to Michael’s box. 
    He was standing just outside talking in a
hushed voice to Brenda.  He nodded to us in a welcoming
manner.  My mother and father stood in the hallway reluctant
to confine themselves to their seats just yet.  When Michael
stepped away from Brenda she came in and sat beside me.  He
joined my mother and father and began pointing out various aspects
of the theater and started relaying some of its history as
well.
    “Elayna, I wanted to apologize if I have
hurt your feelings in anyway.  I guess I have forgotten what
it’s like to be your age and to feel the helpless pressure of a
crush.”
    “I do not have a crush,” I said
defensively.
    “Of course you don’t,” Brenda laughed. 
I didn’t like the expression she was wearing and wanted to stand up
and join my parents but she