Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Princess



I woke with a groan and smothered my head in my pillow, but it wasn't enough to drown out the sound of the lawn mower. Why did Daddy allow them to begin working so early? Doesn't he realize that summers are for sleeping in? I rolled over and looked at my clock. The numbers blurred together and I had to blink a few times before I could really see them. Not even ten o'clock yet.

I threw the down comforter off of me and grudgingly climbed out of bed. A new lavender dress hung on the hook on my door with a note attached to it. I was in no mood, so I ignored it and made a mental note to read it later. Hopefully it wasn't anything that needed my attention before lunchtime. I stumbled to the window and threw back my curtains. The sunlight blinded me for a moment before my eyes adjusted.

It was going to be another beautiful day. Hot. I smiled at the thought. It would be a perfect day for a dip in the pool. I thought of the new bathing suit Daddy had bought me and couldn't wait to break it in. I glanced at the landscaping crew at work. A bunch of sweaty old men. Ugh. Swimming would have to wait a little while longer.

I threw on my bathrobe and grabbed the note from Daddy before heading toward the kitchen. Of course, Daddy was in his office. On the phone judging by the loud one-sided conversation coming from behind the closed door. Occasionally someone would ask me what Daddy did for a living and I was never quite sure how to answer that question. He had lots of meetings and always seemed to be on the phone, but I never really cared enough to ask what it was he actually did. Most of the time I would smile and say "My Daddy yells at people for a living." They would laugh and that would be it.

I stood in front of the open refrigerator enjoying the cool air before I grabbed a strawberry yogurt. I grabbed a spoon from a drawer and went to the breakfast nook to eat. The pool was just visible from where I sat and the water seemed to call for me. I sighed as I imagined how warm the water would be by now. I looked away quickly when the man with the weed eater came around the corner, ruining my view.

As I ate I unfolded my note from Daddy. "Princess," it began. "I hope you like this dress. We're going to meet a few friends of mine for dinner tonight at the club. You'll look radiant in this. Love, Daddy."

Dinner at the club again. I wonder who it would be this time. And more importantly, I wondered if these friends would speak English. I hated when Daddy dragged me along to meet with his foreign business pals. They always made me paranoid. I couldn't help thinking they were talking about me most of the time. Of course, when these dinners went well, Daddy loved to reward me. I grinned in wonder of what it would be this time.

As I finished my yogurt I took another longing look at the pool. It glinted invitingly in the sunlight. The landscapers seemed to be finished with that part of the yard, moving on to the front of the house. I jumped up, threw away my yogurt cub, tossed my spoon in the sink, and ran back upstairs to change.

I stood in front of the full length mirror in my room, admiring my new bathing suit. The royal blue two-piece looked marvelous with my skin tone. Plus It made the blue in my eyes pop. It was perfect. I'd have to thank Daddy again later. I grabbed a towel and skipped down the stairs and out the door. The heat hit me like a slap in the face. It was even hotter than I'd expected. I strolled out to the pool and laid my towel out on one of the chairs. As I walked to the diving board, I slipped my toes in the water. Perfect. Just like bath water.

I stepped up onto the board, skipped out to the end, and pirouetted into the water. I swam a few laps before climbing out and relaxing in the chair. I considered calling Claudia, but knowing her, she was on her way already. Instead I lounged, soaking up the sun.

I wasn't lying there long before I felt the eyes on me. I knew it would be one of the filthy landscapers. Part of me wanted to yell at him to go away. Part of me wanted to just ignore him and hope he would go away. The chicken in me won out and I ignored him. After all, it's not as if it wasn't common for men to look at me. I was used to it. It was just a little more creepy when I was alone.

Eventually I couldn't ignore it any longer. I sat up and opened my eyes. My mouth was open ready to cuss the creep out when I froze. We locked eyes for just a moment before he turned back to his work. It took a moment for me to regain my composure, but I had a hard time taking my eyes off of him.

I watched him as he worked, taking in every detail I could. The sweat glistened on his bare chest. He wore only an old tattered pair of jean shorts and a filthy pair of tennis shoes. His jet black hair hung tantalizingly in his face only drawing more attention to those eyes. It was his eyes that kept me staring at him, so dark, so deep. I could stare into them forever and never reach their full depth.

He chanced a glance up at me, immediately looking away when he saw me watching him. I should look away. This wasn't becoming to stare at one of the landscapers like this. I just couldn't bring myself to pull my gaze away from him. I considered how I must look and flushed.

Finally, with a sigh, I laid back down and turned my eyes to the clouds instead. Maybe it was my imagination, or wishful thinking, but I could feel his gaze on me as I listened to him working only feet away. I smiled at the thought and closed my eyes.

I was on the edge of sleep when a voice startled me. My eyes opened and I searched for the voice. It came from one of the other landscapers. One of the usuals. Ugh. Large, sweaty, filthy, and overall disgusting. He was jabbering in Spanish. I looked around and confirmed who he was speaking to. I watched as they conversed. He didn't answer. Or at least he didn't answer with words. He only shook his head or nodded. For some reason I was irritated with this. I had an irrational desire to hear this man's voice.

Suddenly the conversation ended and both of them walked away from me, heading toward the front of the house. I watched with disappointment. Somehow the yard felt lonely with him gone.

I shook my head. What was wrong with me? He was just a landscaper for crying out loud! Hardly worth gushing over. I stood up and stomped over to the diving board. My pulse was racing and my breathing erratic. I growled at myself.

"Get a grip, Ella," I mumbled before jumping in the water. The cold of the water on my skin shocked me at first. It was enough to snap me to my senses. I swam the length of the pool three times before slowing down. His face kept intruding on my thoughts. I forced myself to think of other things, but it was no use. I couldn't get those eyes out of my mind.

"Hey, girl!" Claudia called as she came around the corner, towel in hand.

"Hey, I was wondering when you'd get here." I swam to the edge of the pool and waited for her. She dropped her things on one of the chairs and jumped into the water.

"You know, you could have called me," she said when she surfaced.

"Why bother? You were on your way anyway."

"Is everything okay?" She eyed me warily. I wondered what kind of expression I must have had on my face.

"Yeah. Why?"

"I dunno. You just seem... distracted."

"No reason."

"Hmm..." She shrugged and began making laps in the pool. It was one reason I loved Claudia. If I needed to talk, she was always there, but she never pushed.

The sound of a truck engine starting and then driving away caught my attention. It had to be the landscapers. I was grateful for them to be gone. Finally I could relax. However, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment knowing he wouldn't be walking around the corner any minute.

"Ella? What is it?" Claudia asked me.

"The landscapers... I think they just left."

"Oh." Understanding lit up her face. "Yeah, those guys creep me out too. They're so... eew."

"Yeah," was all I could say and I laughed pathetically with her.

"So what are we doing tonight?" she asked me when we were lying in the sun later.

"Daddy's meeting some friends for dinner."

"And he's taking you with him." She didn't hide her disappointment well.

"Right."

"Some girls have all the fun," she sighed. I stuck my tongue out at her. She rambled on about things she might do that night, but I failed to pay attention. My mind was still on those eyes. I wondered when he would be back. Normally the landscapers came two or three times a week. Of course, I'd never seen him before. Was today a one time thing? I hoped not.

I shook my head. Why was I even thinking about that? Even if he did come back, it's not as if I'd ever talk to him. He certainly wouldn't talk to me. He'd just be something to look at. I remembered the way he looked as he worked and grinned.

"Spill it," Claudia demanded.

"What?"

"You haven't been listening to me all day. What is it?"

"Nothing."

"Liar. It's a guy, isn't it."

"No." I blushed.

"I knew it. Tell me about him."

"It's really nothing. Just a guy I saw. I don't know his name or anything. He was just..."

"Outrageously good-looking?"

My blush was the only answer she needed.

"Well, take a picture next time. He must have really been something to shake you up like this."



"It's beautiful! I wish my dad bought me stuff like yours does."

I stood in front of the mirror in my new dress while Claudia oohed and ahhed appropriately. The lavender was pretty, but I had preferred the crimson dress he had given me last week.

"Well, I guess I should go then," Claudia sighed.

"I wish you could go."

"Me too. Call me when you get home? Tell me all about it?"

"Sure, if it's not too late."

"It's never too late." She beamed at me before turning and leaving.

I did feel kind of bad for Claudia. Upper class taste with middle class parents. Poor girl. Maybe I could convince Daddy to let her spend a few weeks with us. I'd have to wait for when he was in a really good mood. Daddy already thought Claudia spent too much time at our house. He'd never gone so far as to call her a freeloader, but I could tell that's where his thoughts were.

"Princess?" Daddy called from down the hall.

"Yes, Daddy?"

"Are you about ready?"

"Just about."

I did a quick check of my hair and makeup before grabbing my purse and left my room. Daddy waited in the front room in one of his usual suits. He was a handsome man, considering he was in his fifties. I always wondered why he never remarried after mom died.

"You look beautiful," he beamed at me.

"Thanks Daddy. You're not so bad yourself. So who are we meeting tonight?"

"Just a couple of old friends. They just moved back to the area and I'm hoping we'll be able to do business together."

"Anybody I'd remember?"

"Probably not. You were only a baby. Are you ready to go?"

"Yep."

I had to raise an eyebrow when Daddy chose to drive us to the club in his Mercedes. Normally he saved it for when he really wanted to impress people. Not just old friends. These people must be more important that he was letting on. Of course, that meant he'd want me to be extra hospitable to them. I rolled my eyes at the thought of playing hostess to a bunch of strangers. It would be nice if he'd warn me about these things ahead of time at least.

We drove to the country club in our usual silence. Daddy pulled into his usual parking spot and we made our way into the extravagant building. The man at the door escorted us to a private room with a small round table in the center. These definitely weren't Daddy's usual friends.

"Now Princess, I'm sure you've guessed that these are very important people to me. Please, please help them to feel welcome. I'm counting on you honey." He smiled his most charming smile at me and I couldn't help but smile back. I'd do just about anything for my Daddy.

"Thanks Princess."

"Anytime."

One of the best parts of going to these dinners with Daddy was that he allowed me to drink. It just showed the kind of power he had that none of the staff ever bothered him with the fact that I was only sixteen. Daddy ordered a bottle of wine and I was poured a glass.

Not too much later, we were joined by an uptight looking man accompanied with a dowdy woman. She looked like she should be the disgruntled assistant principal at my old elementary school. The thought made me smile and I used that thought to help me play my role.

"Ella, I'd like you to meet Dr. Sanders and his lovely wife Melinda."

"I'm very pleased to meet you," I said sweetly as I graciously shook their hands. Dr. Sanders nearly crushed my hand and shaking his wife's hand was like holding a dead fish.

"Likewise," Dr. Sanders replied sternly.

"Please, have a seat," Daddy offered them and we all sat. The waiter came in and Daddy ordered for everyone, no doubt ordering the most impressive meal on the menu.

"So," he said as the waiter left. "Are you settling in alright?"

"As well as can be expected," Dr. Sanders replied.

"How's young Samuel these days?"

"He's grown into a fine young man. Just turned twenty last month."

"Twenty! Where have the years gone? The last time I saw him, he was barely walking."

"Indeed."

I sipped my wine through the silence that fell over us. Deep down, I knew Daddy was counting on me to get the conversation going again, but my mind was blank. Well, not blank, but those eyes were not suitable dinner conversation. Every time I closed my eyes I saw those eyes again. It was maddening.

"So, Ella, your father tells me you're quite the musician," Dr. Sanders suddenly spoke up.

"Daddy flatters me too much. I only dabble with the piano."

"Your mother taught you, no doubt."

I only nodded. We rarely spoke of my mother and to have her mentioned so casually by a stranger... I didn't know what to say.

"You look very much like her. You know that?"

"Daddy tells me that sometimes. You knew my mother?"

"Oh yes. Wonderful woman. We were friends back before she and your father were married."

Mrs. Sanders stiffened and I wondered just how well her husband knew my mother. I didn't want to think of my mother that way, to have my memories of her tainted.

"You will play for us sometime?" It was more of a statement than a question. No doubt Daddy would expect me to do anything in my power to keep him happy.

"Of course," I answered. "Anytime." I smiled my best smile.

Our food arrived then and conversation was interrupted. As usual, I had no idea what was on my plate. Daddy and Dr. Sanders chatted between bites and I began to feel obligated to make small talk with Mrs. Sanders. Unfortunately, she wasn't up for conversation.

"Did you know my mother, Mrs. Sanders?"

She shook her head.

A few bites later I tried again.

"Tell me Mrs. Sanders, how are you liking Mt. Pleasant?"

She shrugged.

I gave up. Lucky for me, she wasn't the one Daddy was trying to impress. Dr. Sanders, on the other hand, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying his evening.

"This has been a wonderful meal, Mr. Murphy," Dr. Sanders said standing up and placing his napkin on the table. Mrs. Sanders followed silently. "And even better company. I do hope we can get together again soon."

"Absolutely," Daddy said almost too eagerly. "If it's not too much of a bother, why don't you bring the family over to our place tomorrow and Ella will play for you all."

"Sounds wonderful. It's been a pleasure Ella," he shook my hand tenderly. "Mr. Murphy, we'll speak soon."

"Dr. Sanders," Daddy said shaking his hand.

Dr. Sanders left the room and Mrs. Sanders trailed behind him.

"Princess, you were wonderful!" Daddy hugged me when they were gone.

"I didn't do anything," I said grinning at his enthusiasm.

"You were here. That was enough. You don't mind playing for them tomorrow do you?"

"Not at all."

"Practice tomorrow?"

"Sure."

Daddy was more excited than I'd seen him in a long time and I couldn't help wondering just how big my reward would be.