Summer Rain

II ~ The Never Ending Game of Blind Date

{ Burning Gold - Christina Perri}

...Looking through a window of a world of dreams, I can see my future slip away...

----

May 19th

        Glasses clinked over toasts to names I wouldn't remember, by faces I cared to forget. My Mother, Cady and I had made our way on the short walk from our cabin to the main stone building overlooking the lake. My Mother stood expectantly in the entrance of the main ballroom adorned with cloth laden tables and multitudes of guests all dressed formally, while the band struck up a catchy swing tune, her eyes sparkling. It was like time had stopped in the fifties here. 

     Dad had reserved us a table for us to sit at before he promised to meet us later at 9. Somehow I wondered if he actually meant his promise that time or if it was just an empty vessel to keep the women in his life at bay.

        Taking our places at a table up past the dance floor, I headed for the empty corner seat, secluded and somewhat shadowed. Even my attempt at wearing something fancy made me feel underdressed compared to the cake-topper beauty queens that swayed and twirled their way around the room. 

  "Bodhi said his train would arrive at the station at 9 so he should be here soon!" Mother clinked her filled champagne glass with my Cola as it sat on the table, the straw struggling to remain in the glass thanks to the icebergs that filled the brim. 

     Cady, as usual, was admiring herself and had taken to using the mirrored metal of the large candlestick centrepiece on the table as her instrument of choice to peruse her face.

  "Sounds great," I replied curtly.

  "Oh, by the way! There's someone I would like you to meet while we're here at the club this summer." 

     I knew where this was headed. This train of conversation was headed to Lover's Lane, circa Marriage Central and I was getting off before it hit the platform. Time after time my mother had tried to set me up with a wealthy boy, from a wealthy family, who was sure to be entering a fantastically wealthy profession with which his money could provide for me, while I wasted away on liquor and 'Real Housewives' re-runs in my wealthy suburban mansion for the rest of my days.

    Not this time. Not a chance.

  "Mom..." I began, but before I could dissuade her from the mortifying road she was dragging me down, her bushbaby eyes were alerted to the sight of Dad entering the room to join us.

     'What do you know?' I told myself. 'He actually made it.'

      Mother's tipsy champagne high and easy smile quickly dissipated as Cady's screeching voice echoed at a decibel that would curdle milk.

    Behind Dad followed a smartly dressed, handsome man wearing a suit, much like my Father's only clearly much newer. My Dad had recycled that suit since my first piano recital.

  "So glad to have you all here!" The man held his arms out in a welcoming fashion, his smile wide and dazzlingly white. 

  "Thanks again for the game, Tim." Dad beamed, shaking the man's hand before taking a seat next to Mom. "This is my wife, Rosalind.." Dad placed a hand on top of Mom's arm before signalling to both Cady and myself. "...And these are my two daughters, Avalina and Cady."

  "Tim Beaumont," He tipped his head slightly. "Pleasure to meet such beautiful ladies!" 

     Mom batted her eyelashes, and Cady giggled like a lovesick schoolgirl. I flashed a hint of a smile before sipping on my cola. Tim Beaumont. Owner of the Beaumont Country Club.