Chapter 8 “Dinner Date” 

"Mom," I called around the house. My dad looked out of his study, "What you need baby?" "Dad where is mom I need to talk to her," I asked. "She went to the store to get the items you need for the ritual, it is next week you know," he said. "Ok, well I guess you will do. Jack asked me out to dinner tonight. He wants to talk about things," I said. " Ok, but you go there and home. Where are you going to eat?" He asked. "The Uncle Bucks Dinner," I said. "Have fun, and I will let your mother know," He said.

As I was getting dressed I heard a knock on my door. "Come in," I called. My mom opened the door and walked in. " Baby, you were looking for me this morning," she asked.  "Yes," I said, " Jack called me this morning and asked me out to dinner at Uncle Buck's." "Ok, so I will let Mrs. Jones know that you will not be here for supper."

"Mom," I called as she was leaving,"I need to talk to you about the ritual. I am kind of scared about what is going to happen. Tell me about when you and dad had your mating ritual."She looked like she was in a dream,"Are you sure you want to hear about that or just need reassuring about what is going to happen. It was an autumn evening when your dad and I first met. We were going to the same college he was in the Law program just starting out and I was in my freshman year in the design program. The full moon was the next night so we did not have much time to prepare for our ritual. Things went so fast I felt like I was in a world wind." She paused and looked out my window as she continued, " I was bathed in some of the most fragrant spices and spices. Then dressed in a sheer gown as I came out of the water. My hair and nails were done and I felt as if I was a queen getting ready for a ball. The material stuck to my body because I was still wet and not dried off. They wanted the scent of spice to fill the night air. I was led down the stairs and out to the ritual grounds were I saw your dad for the first time since we had met. We did not have time to get to know each other like you and Jack do. All the elders from my parents pack and your dads pack were all standing waiting for me to arrive. I became very self conscious about myself because I knew I was visible and did not have anything on under the gown. When I looked around I saw my mom and dad smiling and the few friends that I was allowed to invite all waiting for me the object of anticipation. I looked around and noticed all the decorations that had been placed and how beautiful that the courtyard had been decorated. Ahead was your father waiting with the biggest smile I had ever seen plastered on his face. I continued to walk forward and my hand was placed in his.  He gave me a small kiss on my cheek and then we faced the priestess. She began by welcoming everyone and introducing herself to everyone." she looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, " You will be beautiful, I think that it is time you finished getting ready to go. Jack will be here to get you in a few minutes."  "Yes mam," I said, "and thank you I feel less nervous now."

I got up and went into my bathroom and took a shower. Washing my hair can take awhile, as it is so long. My hair go all the way to my ankles and is a blonde/ brunette color. When I finish I hear a noise in my room and wonder who it could be. So I grab my towel  and wrap it around me. I slowly walked to the door and peeked around it. I could see some movement in my closet. I quietly reached over and grabbed my toothbrush for protection. Like that will help but I could brush their teeth to death maybe. Anyway I snuck into my room so I could get a better look at who was there, and who could you imagine but my best friend digging through my closet. I yelled," Audrea you scared the crap out of me. I thought there was a burglar in my room." She jumped and dropped the arm load of dresses all over the floor. " I scared you, you scared me just now."she said. 

"What are you doing in my closet'" I asked her. " Trying to help you look halfway decent when he picks you up tonight."She answered. " my jeans and shirts I normally wear are not good enough, it is just Uncle bucks that he is taking me to."I replied' she gave me a roving look and said, "Uh, No! You need to make sure he knows what he is getting, not the country bumpkin look you wear so well." OK,OK," I said, " I will wear what you say. Goodness, you never said anything about what I wear before." " Well it never mattered before, did it." She said in a dramatic voice.

We went through almost every dress I had in my closet and could not find anything for me to wear. In the very back of my closet we found a dress bag that was buried. In it was a red dress with a deep v neck line it almost went to my navel. The top of the dress had red lace and sequins that shimmered like diamonds or the stars in the night sky. The skirt was made of layers of red tulle and was cut at an angle. There was a silk under skirt that was beige, and the top had a beige netting that was almost invisible. I tried it on and it fit me like a glove, like it was made just for me.  I took a spin around the room and Audrea said, " That is it, that is the one." Wont I fill a little overdressed at the diner in this." 

She looked at me and said, " Did he say he was taking you out to dinner at the dinner or just out to dinner."      

" I don't know, he said he would pick me up and we would have dinner and talk. I just figured we would go to Uncle Buck's to eat  and talk,"I said. She looked at me and said don't you think the diner will be a little crowded and noisy for you to talk." " I guess so, I did not think of that. Anyway, where do you think he may take me," I said, starting to feel out of my comfort zone. " I don't know. There are several nice restaurants around and do you think with the kind of money he has that he would eat at a greasy spoon like Uncle Buck's," she replied.

" I guess not," I said.

It was almost 6 by the time Audrea finished my hair and makeup.  My mom knocked on the door and said that he was here and that he was dressed very handsomely. I kind of sank down in my chair because I was scared of what he would think about me and this whole situation. Audrea pried me out of my chair and smoothed out the dress. She started to cry when she stepped back to look at me from a distance. I did one more twirl before walking out the door. My mom was standing in the hall waiting to see what I had picked out to wear. She looked shocked and said crying, "I had forgotten all that dress. I wore it to a ball when I was your age before I met your dad. Where did you find it." " I looked astonished and said, " At the very back of my closet. I have no idea where it came from. We had thought we had went through all my clothes and then looked again and there it was. I guess the goddess put it there for me to wear tonight." She smiled and rushed me down the stairs. As I walked down the stairs I saw Jack he was talking to my dad. My dad slowly looked up at me and Jack had followed suite.  I think his jaw hit the floor when he saw me. 

As I neared the bottom of the stairs Jack walked forward and thrust out a bouquet of the deepest red roses  I had ever seen. I took them and took a deep breath to smell them as roses are my favorite flower ever. He looked at me and said, " I picked these because they reminded me of you. They have the same scent, almost, as you do." I blushed as Audrea came up behind me and took the roses and pushed me forward as she said," I will go put these in some water. Do you want them in your room." I glared at her and said under my breath '"Yes!"

Jack held out his arm for me and I took it. My mom took a picture of us and was crying even more. My dad had put his arm around her and she leaned into his chest. I tell you, you would have thought we were going to the prom or something, not to dinner. We said our goodbyes and he walked me out to his car. I think I saw Audrea swoon when she saw it. He helped me in and off we went.

I could have kicked myself for thinking that we would just go get a hamburger or something. He took me to one of the fanciest restaurants I have ever seen. I could not even read the menu because it was written in French. When he saw that I had no idea what was on the menu he called the waiter over and ordered for both of us.

"Um, Isabel you look very beautiful tonight," Said with sweat forming on his brow