Hood Ornaments

There was a soft knock on her dorm room door. Tori glanced at herself in the mirror one last time. She twisted the knob to let the door ease open. Michael walked in wearing torn jeans, a dress shirt, a brown blazer and a tan crocheted hat. He topped off the ensemble with a bright orange tie with a skull and cross bones on it. Tori couldn’t help but laugh.

“The more I see you the more I swear Jean-Michel’s Spirit entered your body.”

Michael smiled and kissed her softly, “I shall take that as a compliment.”

“Duly noted, but I feel overdressed.”

“Ah all you have to do to fix that is put some bright leggings on under that tiny, black, dress with some clunky shoes and call it a day.”

Tori raised an eyebrow at him, “How do you know all of this?”

“I don’t. It’s just what I pictured you wearing to the opening.”

Tori was digging through her bureau to find a pair of bright tights to put on, “Pictured me? So that means you think of me?”

He chuckled, “Of course I do. You don’t think of me?”

For the first time in a long time, Tori did not have a witty retort. It was mostly because she was unsure of how to answer. If she told him the truth it would hurt his feelings. With her schedule, she didn’t have time to romanticize. Through a warm smile she lied.

“Of course I do.”

With that, she carried the tights into the tiny bathroom and slid them on under her dress. She also decided to play up her eye make-up a little bit.

Although he didn’t say anything, Michael felt her words were void of emotion. There was definitely something deep under Tori’s surface he couldn’t quite reach. He didn’t want to dig too deep for fear there was something too delicate or fragile to unearth into the elements of present. He didn’t want his future to shatter. Or was it the dream of his future he was afraid to shatter? It could just be Tori. Maybe she still loved that boy back home? It was possible.

Anything was possible.

And that was the mantra of the evening. At least for Michael anyway. He was swallowing his nervousness with success. No one would notice the burning in his stomach. He hoped it would be so loud at the gallery that no one would hear its anxious gurgling. As he took a deep breath, Tori bounded her return. He usually didn’t like it when females wore make-up, but considering her already colorful ensemble, it was an adorable accent. She eccentric and colorful, she played the role of an artist well.

“You look amazing!”

“Thanks,” Tori replied nonchalant, “You know what? I haven’t seen Ladee. Will she be at the opening?”

This time it was Michael who replied nonchalant, “She should already be there with my parents.”

She sighed heavily.

“Stop.” He said as he guided her by her elbow. All you have to do is be you and all will be fine.”

“I hope so.”

“I have already told them how beautiful and talented you are. I also told them how special you are to me. For that reason alone they should be on their best behavior.”

“Jesus, no pressure.” Tori muttered.

Even though he would never admit it outwardly, Michael was actually pleased that Tori was so nervous about meeting his parents. In his mind it meant she could possibly feel the same way about him as he did about her. That was comforting. When they reached the elevator, he gave her elbow a comforting squeeze. He felt Tori’s body relax a little. In a few moments, they were on their way. Michael provided the driver directions as Tori sunk in the back seat. This time her stomach seemed to roar. Michael’s head whipped around. Tori felt the need to explain.

“Look, I have calmed down. I’m just hungry. Is there gonna be any food at this thing”

Michael chuckled, “Wine and mini appetizers. I’m sure my folks will treat us to a meal after the fact.”

“All of us?” Tori questioned with surprise in her voice.

“Yes, will you stop worrying?”

Tori wasn’t worried at all. She was just really hungry. As the cab pulled up in front of the gallery, the couple was oblivious to how this night was going to alter their paths forever.

To the shock of both Michael and Tori, the gallery opening was a black tie affair. People were spilling out of limousines decked out in tuxedos, diamonds, and furs. Men were chortling to one another. Women would blush and hide their perfectly painted lips behind evening gloves.

“Are you serious?”

Michael held one hand up in defense, “Victoria, I had no…”

“No idea? Are you seriously going to sit there and fix your face to tell me that you had no clue this was a black tie event?”

“I am just as shocked as you are.”

“Well be prepared to stay by my side for the whole evening so I don’t stand out like a…”

The cabbie interrupted, “Like an artist?”

Tori gasped and hung her head as Michael paid the driver.

“Oh my God!” Tori caused Michael and the cabbie to jump at her exclamation, “They are probably taking us to a real expensive restaurant afterwards. Dammit, we both have on hats!!!”

At that point Michael exited the cab walking around to open Tori’s door.

She stepped out seething. Michael took her hand and bent down to whisper in her ear, “It’s going to be fine. I promise. And I have no problem what so ever staying by your side and at your beck and call all evening.”

“Michael, now is not the time to be coy.” Tori whispered through clenched teeth. Michael wrapped her arm around his and whispered back,

“And now is not the time to be angry. My parents have spotted us.”

Tori tried to loosen her facial muscles a bit as they entered the gallery. She tightened her grip on Michael’s arm as she noticed a couple who could only be his parents making their way towards them. His smile widened and beamed.

The introductions were brief as his parents ushered the pair to the back of the gallery where it was less chaotic and noisy.

Michael’s father immediately began to tell them that there was a bidding war for one of Michael’s paintings. Of course it was the portrait of Tori. Upon hearing that news, Tori beamed and grabbed Michael’s arm again. As if she were marking her territory, Michael’s mother slithered her way in between the couple and kissed her son on the cheek.

“The portrait is stunning Son. You transformed the subject into a majestic being.”

He gently placed his palm at the small of her Tori’s back to reassure her. He also came to her defense.

“Well Mother, Victoria really didn’t need much of a transformation. She is already majestic.”

His mother picked up on the disdain in his voice and discerned the look in his eye as one of embarrassed fury. Her face did not change in color but she feigned embarrassment by placing her gloved hand to her cheek.

“That was not what I meant at all. Of course she is. She is just…”

Michael’s father interrupted, “She trips all over her tongue when she is excited.”

Michael mumbled his interjection into Tori’s ear, “Or has had too much champagne.”

Tori giggled outwardly, and Michael’s mother became embarrassed or annoyed; one could never tell the difference. Her own interjection followed.

“We have taken in the majority of the festivities.” She turned toward her husband, “Shall we have dinner now?”

“That sounds like a good idea; I’ll have the car sent around.” Michael’s father replied. Tori and Michael lingered behind as his mother pretended to window shop sculpture while she drifted towards the door of the gallery. In actuality, she was trying to time her steps so she wouldn’t have to stand outside in the cold.