Flutter

Flutter: Vingt - Deux (1/2)

When she got to the dining room, Nora sat down at her usual place. She nodded her head to Catherine who smiled back. Nora gave a timid smile back. It was strange to see Catherine make that gesture towards her. The servers brought the first course to the table, and they commenced their dinner.

"Would you like some bread, Nora?" Catherine said, holding out the bread basket. "It would go great with the soup."

"Uh...sure."

Nora grabbed a hunk. Catherine placed the basket down, smiling all the while. Nora was perplexed at her cherry demeanor, but she kept her thoughts to herself and continued on with her meal. It was silent, all for Catherine humming a tune while she dined. The soup dish was heartily consumed and the second course soon followed.

"So." Catherine began. Nora rose her eyes to look at her dinner mate. "Tonight's the night is it?"

Nora quirked an eyebrow.

"Excuse me?"

"Ah, I know this is a private matter, but it's not any secret. You're to be mated tonight, aren't you?" Catherine winked.

"I do not think that that subject is any business of yours." Nora admonished.

"You are right. I am sorry I said anything." Catherine apologized.

Nora rolled her eyes but was happy to bury the topic. Moment's later however it was rehashed.

"Okay. I just have to ask, you do know what you'll have to do during the mating?"

"Yes.  I am an adult. I do understand the birds and the bees."

"This is a little bit more than birds and bees, girl. But you're an adult as you say, so, I do not need to warn you of anything, do I now?"

"Catherine, you hush." Mary interrupted their conversation, briskly walking over to where Nora sat. "Don't you go scaring the poor girl."

"Mary, I have no intention of that!" Nora said, aghast. "I was merely just trying to -"

"Don't. She'll be fine." Mary sat in the seat besides Nora. "You'll be fine. Don't listen to her. She just wants to rattle you up."

"She got what she wanted." Nora thought to herself.

"Come now. Tell me about Wicks. I have not had the chance to learn about you, love."

That did the trick and Nora forgot all about Catherine's snide comments. Nora was more than happy to fill in Mary all about her life in Wicks. She talked of her youth and all the happy, and sad times she had with her mother, father, and brother. Mary was a wonderful listener, laughing and soothing at the right times. In turn, Nora got to hear about Mary's back story. She was a Southern belle, alright. She lived farther South than Gillians until about ten years of age, when her father found work at Gillians. They had moved here and she spent all the rest of her life basically in Gillians. Her father found her the work, and Elisa was more than happy to have Mary around. It was just the two of them left at the table. Catherine had long since excused herself.

"It all worked out perfectly." Mary sighed, smiling contentedly.

"So, you've been at Gillians forever."

"Practically. I mean, it never was my intention mind you. I was just supposed to nanny Quinton really. I assumed eventually he wouldn't need looking after and he had his mother after all. . However, with Elisa's passing, I just could not bring myself to part from Quinton. I stayed. Every year I said it would be the last, but it never was. My father passed, along with my mother. I never had any siblings. So, Gillians became my home...it is my home. I have no regrets. I am so blessed to have all the experiences I've had in my time."

"Have you ever been in love?"

"Love. I was in love once. A man had been passing through Gillians. A fine specimen of a man. He stole my heart, he did. Though, he wanted me to leave here...but how could I? Quinton needed me. He was so young. Who was going to teach him? Sure his father gave him the best education money could buy, but who would teach him compassion? Elisa was long buried. Ah, I could not leave and he could not stay."

"Oh, Mary."

Nora patted her friend's hand.

"Do not cry for me. I made my decision and I stand by it. Even though I could not have him in the end, am secure with the fact that I was loved, and still am loved today, by Quinton, my friends -"

"By me." Nora added, taking Mary's hand and holding it to her heart. Mary took Nora's free hand and placed it on her own chest.

"Yes, by me."

So, for those who may be inquiring about the setting, at the beginning of the story I said that they were in Spring time. Scratch that. Nora and Quinton met late summer, like the last week of August. I've calculated the dates, and as of now, Nora and Quinton have known each other for over forty days. Basically, it's been around two months. Short, right? But I've been writing this forever. This isn't the longest of courtships, because I mean, Quinton is a speedy guy, but I love elongating stories.

Secondly, the person I picked for Quinton - Eduardo Verastegui - is truly of Mexican heritage. It's important for me not to race bend. I strive to make my characters diverse, because I think it adds to the richness of stories to have people of various backgrounds. The woman I chose for Quinton's mother is Mexican for the reason. The picture is of a vintage, unnamed Mexican woman. Three cheers to her. ^_^ If you don't like it then you can (pardon my French) shove it ;) Link to picture: http://oi46.tinypic.com/6dvlma.jpg

Also, I threw in a Little Mermaid reference! Who caught it? ;) Where my Disney folks at? Woot. Woot.

That is all :) Thanks for all the comments, questions, and concerns. Keep 'em coming.