The Pinery buzzed with excitement when the Yamamoto's arrived.
State and federal officials arrived dressed in the most elegant tuxedos and evening gowns money could buy. Military officers strutted through the Pinery's ballroom in well pressed, and bright, military uniforms. Children played in a nearby storeroom, now outfitted with toys, games, and any number of fuzzy stuffed animals.
Ms. Ren Yamamoto threw the Pinery doors wide as she backed in, ensuring the door remained open for her sister Joselin and her company. They had met up in the parking lot.
"Oh dear, I am dressed nowhere near appropriate for this," said Willow's mother.
Willow and Victor looked around, impressed by the splendor before them.
"You look fine, mother," said Willow. "I'm the one who looks atrocious." She grabbed a lock of her hair, studying it carefully, wrinkling her nose, and throwing it back behind her. "This is going to suck."
Victor felt torn between laughing (which he preferred to do) and crying (what he knew he'd do, having lost his friend).
"Why do I hear laughing?" growled Victor. "Is it me, or are too many of these people having a good time?"
Glasses of champagne sat on tables and tipped toward eager lips. Smiles graced many faces. Laughter erupted from too many polished faces.
As they moved forward, the doors closing behind them/ To the right of the entry, Victor noted the doors to the teen center where shut—and locked.
"Is this the new teen center?" said Aunt Rose.
Willow and Victor whipped around. Behind them stood Kane's Aunt Rose.
"Yes, it is," said Willow. She hugged Rose. "It's gorgeous inside. If we can get in, I'll show you around."
"Can anyone come to the center?" said Rose, looking around the stately, ornate entrance to the Pinery.
"It's exclusive. Someone has to invite you, and there are dues."
Rose sighed. She didn't have money. Her budget was tight, and Kane grew since coming to live with her. She was happy he had finally made some friends, like Willow, who was the first person in his school to accept him and his strange personality.
Standing in the Pinery, among such accomplished people, she felt quite out of place, even more so with Kane missing—a topic of private conversations.
"I think he's hiding somewhere," suggested Aunt Rose, turning to Victor. "Something spooked him. Sometimes he goes into his private place for days, he's fine. You, or Victor, wouldn't have a clue where Kane might have run off to, do you?"
Willow lied.
"No, we were trying to figure it out. Of all places to run off at," said Willow.
"I'm most worried about the plane crash, and those fires. Kane would have had to get through it all."
"There are a lot of soldiers out there. I'm positive he'll be found safe." Even Willow didn't believe her lie.
Aunt Rose's face converted from a look of worry to one of appreciation. "I certainly hope so."
∞ ∞ ∞
Victor, who had been staring at the teen center's locked door, deep in thought, suddenly remembered Willow and Aunt Rose. The sound of people talking in their societal clicks waned as someone tapped a spoon against a crystal wine glass, creating a high-pitched, whining hum.
"Ladies and gentlemen." The voice of a distinguished man rose over the crowd. He clanked on his glass, demanding their attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention."
YOU ARE READING
Victor Black - And the Garden of the Gods
Science FictionVictor Black seems to have it all. He graduated at the age of sixteen. His parents have money, and his father is a high-ranking military official in Colorado Springs. Victor is also a competitive figure skater and world traveler. Everything was supp...
