Nocturnes

The bedroom was beautiful - large, high bed; thick, wooly rugs; dim lights and candles softly glowing. I was struggling to hide the evidence of Steve's visit, cigarette ashes carelessly flicked on the old plank floor, cooled wax. The party would be starting soon and I hadn't even gotten the decorations for the spiral staircase that the kids would use as a play area. Of course the booze was already awaiting the arrival of the costumed guests. As I rushed over to the adjoining complex, I saw that Mom had already done the decorating... all was in readiness.

Suddenly I was in the midst of our party, children clambering, adults marvelling at the interior decor and gushing over my Mom. I felt alone, small and silly. I wanted to shout about my achievements, my successes, my talents, but I knew it would all fall on deaf and charmed ears. After most of the revellers retired for the night and I was a bit high on the booze and my self-righteousness, I cornered my Mom. Intensely, but not loudly, I reminded her that I was valuable, not like one of her turn of the century chintz plates but as a person, a daughter and an individual. She wept but I remained arid. Maybe I had gotten my point across.

An Indian friend noticed our exchange and soflty approached. She invited us to her house for the following day to relax with her large family in their new home. As we arrived she offered us warm chai tea and calmed our frazzled emotions with her soothing banter. Feathers were smoothed and accusations were withdrawn, status quo regained.

While wandering the house I noticed a new ability to move objects, make them appear and disappear, happening only when I wasn't concentrating or wishing but when I just knew it should happen. Each time I used this gift, it grew, becoming easier and more bold. I went outside to play with the dog, throwing a stick and making it disappear/reappear to the dismay of the Lab. I conjured simple things, natural things, things that might be there anyway. Delighted with my treasure, I returned inside to make the ice cubes in drinks appear and vanish. No one seemed to notice.

Later that evening I went out and was delighted when I was approached by Matt Damon and Ben Afleck, the younger versions just off their success with "Good Will Hunting". Ben already had the beginnings of the swagger that would wear thin with fans and keep him in sub-par movies, but Matt still radiated that innocent intensity. Ben had a brazen dark girl on his arm and Matt asked me to join them back to their hotel. First we stopped at a manufacturing plant, laser-machined parts and other metal fabrications were the products made there. Matt demonstrated his skill with a precision metal laser while I watched with fascination. Ben and his woman squirmed in the dark corner urging us to hurry up.

Arriving at their hotel, a grand Las Vegas style affair, we headed up to the penthouse suites. The other couple practically engaged before the locks and doors were thrown. Matt and I retired to his rooms and our encounter was slow, sweet and delicious. He revelled in my experience and I was overcome with his youth and energy - the fit was perfect. While we lay together. Matt confided to me that he thought Ben was somehow spying for the Russians and sending the information from the fabrication plant to their government, but he couldn't be sure how the information was being gathered. He asked me if I would spend some time alone with Ben, try to suss out the means for the deception. God, I would do anything for Matt's angelic face!

Wouldn't you know, Ben was carrying around a small Russian spy, named Fyodor, in his navel.