The slow melody coming from the antique violin made pronounced notes that found their way to my ear, bringing a silent smile to my face that was bright and full voice of its own. I nodded my head to anyone who looked my way. My attire was just a tad bit more expensive in taste then those of the others around me. With a quite exquisite ruffle, diamond cuff links, and an amazing mask, I was no ordinary bystander. I was no humble author either; I was extremely successful. As I glanced around the crowded room, I realized that it was my fame and fortune that drew these creatures of the night to me like a moth to a flame.
There was a time that fortune didn’t smile so brightly on me, and the voices in the hall faded as I slipped into a past which was once my true, but sad reality.
“Did you read it? Did you read it? I didn’t like it all, but teacher says it’s the best in the class. What do you think?” whispered Gail to Jacques.
“I don’t know, I thought it was pretty good. I can’t believe Reese wrote it. Maybe Reese stole the idea.”
I knew they were talking loud enough for me to hear, but I refused to turn around and acknowledge their jealousy.
My memories were interrupted by a slight tap on my shoulder. As I focused on the smiling face in front of me, I was brought back to reality.
“Reese, will your sister be joining us tonight?” smiled the lady in a red sequined dress, who was flirting with her eyes behind an elegant mask.
“No, Maybaline will not be joining us tonight, Beatrix.” I replied in a far away voice.
“I do believe that she should be here to celebrate her dear brother’s successful career and this worthwhile cause benefiting the orphans of St. Gerard’s.” she replied sighing.
“Well, I know my sister would have liked to come, but she’s busy caring for a dear friend of ours who is deathly ill.” I said in a somber deep tone.
“Oh, well, that’s too bad. She won’t see you in your moment of triumph.” She starred deep into my eyes then spoke again. “I’ve always wondered; where do you get the ideas for your unusual stories?”
“To answer that, my dear Beatrix, would be like a magician revealing the secret behind his greatest trick.” I replied with a sly grin. Just then we were interrupted by a young man with a simple black mask, dressed as Zorro, who was seeking a dance from Beatrix.
“May I steal Beatrix from you Reese?” He said pulling her away even as he posed the question.
And so I was left. Alone, in a crowded room; yet I do not feel uncomfortable, for I have grown use to this feeling, having experienced it many times as an orphan who was shy and unaccepted. Not even the kids at my orphanage accepted me. I lived a sad life, but in having no one to talk to but myself, I became a writer. Although I was often alone, I was never lonely; I had my stories and characters to keep me company. I never minded this company, in fact, it was welcomed; many times much more amusing then the mean, rude, people who surrounded me every day. Despite the fact that my stories were so entertaining, I was faced with the knowledge that I would probably never be able to support myself after leaving the orphanage. It was this fear that led me to create the greatest character I’d ever imagined; myself.
“Monsieur Laquier, may I have your autograph? I’ve just purchased your latest book and I would love to have your signature.” asked a shy man at my elbow.
“How would you like me to address it, my friend?” I asked him politely.
The man’s eyes lit up and he stammered with excitement “My n-n-n-name is R-r-roger.”
As I handed the signed book to him, he murmured his thanks and I replied, “No, it is I who am thankful to you, for without my fans, my stories would remain unappreciated.” Like me. I silently added. Just then my dear and trusted companion, who had served me well over the years, approached me and whispered that I was needed to make a speech.
“It is time Reese.” Genevieve whispered; her voice filled with trepidation. I smiled to my fan and excused myself, taking the arm of Genevieve, my best friend, and the only one that knew of my secret, until this evening. This evening everyone would know of my secret.
I walked decisively up the flight of stairs and onto the balcony, so that I could have everyone’s attention, and everyone could easily view me.
“Attention! Attention!” I clapped my hands. Everyone’s smiling faces turned to me and I waited until everyone’s attention was on me. I allowed myself a quick glance at Genevieve; she was a step behind me, but at my side. I was grateful for her support; she was a great asset and friend.
“Good evening friends and fans; editors and authors alike. I’m so glad that you could all come tonight. As you know, this Masquerade Ball was arranged so that anyone could donate, either anonymously or otherwise, for the St. Gerard’s Orphanage.
“Many of you gathered here today may wonder, why St. Gerard’s? There are other orphanages in the city. A handful of you know that that is the orphanage that I grew up in. And those of you who do know my story wonder how I can forgive in face of the inhumane treatment I received there. I found that forgiveness is the difference between life and death, for if I held within myself the pain and bitterness, it would surely eat away at my soul and leave it to wither and die. It is with your kind contributions that I hope to save any future orphans from the horrors I endured. This is probably the reason I began to write. I had no friends, no one to accept me, so the world I created did accept me. Perhaps that is why I enjoy writing so much. The only way anyone would accept me was when they read my stories, so, writing became my life and my passion.
“Well, I don’t think you want to listen to my ramble all night long, so let me get to the point. Tonight will not just be just donating, dancing, eating, and talking. Tonight will not be just that. No, tonight you will learn something that shall take your breath away. Tonight you will make a decision. Does that sound to your liking?”
The crowd nodded uncertainly. I smiled at this and thought to myself: They have no idea what they are going to learn. Ha! What an amazing story I have created right here!
“So, on this night, you shall learn who Reese Laquier really is.” The crowd glanced around nervously and some chatter began.
“My friends, silence, please.” I said hurriedly. Then, when I gained their attention, I pulled off my mask and my wig and let my hair fall past my waist. The room was silent and then someone burst out “It’s Maybaline!” The room suddenly exploded with confusion, denial, and dismay.
I took an uneasy glance at Genevieve and she nodded encouragingly. I wanted to ask the crowd what they thought, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what they really thought.
“Is it so wrong? Can a woman not write? Don’t you see how successful I have become, and all along I was a woman?”
“It’s not right!” exclaimed a woman in the center of the room.
“What is wrong about a woman being able to write well?” I challenged.
“It’s not that you can write it’s that you have lied!” someone chimed in.
“Has no one lied before? I hardly believe that is the case. So, what, I ask you, what is it really? The reason you will not accept me is because I am a woman, and I am not valued as highly as a man! Now don’t tell me that I am wrong, for then you would be lying!” I yelled with emotion.
It was silent for longer than I could have imagined. They hate me. That was the only thing I could think of. They hate me. They’ll never accept me now. Then someone clapped. Just three slow, loud claps, but then everyone joined in. I was confused. Was this their way of accepting me? If it was I was all too ready to take it. I smiled brightly, more brightly than I had ever smiled, as if I had my own world. I wiped a tear from my eye. This was my family now; they were the first people to accept me besides Genevieve. I wanted to jump from the balcony and fall into their welcoming arms. Instead I flew down the stairs and hugged the first person there, and so on and so on until I had hugged everyone in the room. This was the happiest day of my life, and it would always be.
After note: This is five pages long in Word 2007. This didn't come out how I was planning it, but I like it all the same. Please comment.
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~Reflection~
Mostly stories that I come up with, but some things might be personal or something I want to save, and I'll do that here.
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