The next morning I was sitting on Aunt Cat’s front porch, sipping my orange blossom tea. I was so accustomed to mornings on my porch and Cruz’ veranda, this was where I did my best thinking. I looked up to see Marco sauntering up the walk. “What brings you out so early this morning?” I asked him.
“I’m just an early riser. I always go for a run in the morning. It clears my head. Gets me going for the day. Do you want to join me?”
“Sure. Why not. I haven’t been running for a while, since all this madness. I’ve missed it.” We ran for few miles and came to a small lake. I stopped to look around. Marco followed me. “This place is beautiful. Very peaceful. Does it have a name?” The crystal clear water reflected the azure sky. A white sandy beach made me immediately take my shoes off to feel the fine sand particles squish between my toes.
“Bel Lago. It means beautiful lake.” Marco said. “Lago tranquillo is too long.” He laughed. “Although I agree, it is very peaceful here. It is one of my favorite places to be. Did you bring your swimsuit?”
“Heck no. I really don’t feel comfortable in a swimsuit in public.”
“So you only wear a swimsuit in private?”
“No. I just don’t wear one often because I don’t feel comfortable in it. So I didn’t bring one.”
“I’m sure you could buy one. I can’t imagine why you don’t feel comfortable in a swimsuit. This lake has a reputation of bringing about whatever one desires.”
“Don’t tell me you have folklore about this lake.” I laughed.
“No. Not folklore. It’s real. If you are having a difficult time making a decision, the lake clarifies your mind and helps you to make that decision. If you want to know something about someone, it will help you to find your answer. If you are seeking wisdom of any kind, it will help you find it.” Marco informed me.
“You’re serious? How does it work?”
“No one knows. It just does. Someday you must try it to see for yourself.”
“Ya, like today. I’m going to buy that swimsuit and come try it out.” I professed.
“Do you mind if I come?” Marco asked me.
“Uh….like I said, I don’t like people to see me in a swimsuit. But I guess it can’t hurt. Sure, come with me.”
We ran the few miles back to Aunt Cat’s house, where I got my wallet and we headed to the store. There wasn’t a very good selection to choose from. Marco kept pointing out the two piece bikinis but I kept steering away from them. I really couldn’t find a one piece I liked so I ended up with a two piece. I bought a tank top to wear over it.
Once we changed into our swimsuits we drove out to the lake. I could have ran out there pretty fast but Marco did not have the ability for super speed. So we drove in his truck. “What do you hope to gain here?” Marco asked me as we were swimming.
“Where Pietro is, obviously.” I said.
“Okay. You won’t get the knowledge right away. It may take a day or two. Just keep your mind open.” He instructed me.
“Did you make this up just to get me out here?” I wondered.
“No. Although that’s a great idea.” He grinned at me. “No, it is true. You can ask around town. Everyone will tell you.”
Marco was always so serious and now I think I saw him relax a little. We swam for a while and then just sat on the beach and talked. The warm sun soaking my skin felt nice. This did feel peaceful, sitting on the beach by Bel Lago. I could feel a surge of energy slowly filling my body and mind. I didn’t know if the sayings are true, but I can see how people would think those things after being here.
“What do you hope to gain from this swim?” I asked Marco.
“I just need to find some peace with the situation with my mom. It’s hard to accept that she would do what she did. Sometimes the lake just provides peaceful feelings of something we don’t want in our lives.”
“Well if there is anything I can do to help just ask. I really am sorry you had to go through that.” I told him.
“Thanks. That means more than you know.” Marco took my hand in his and kissed it like an old fashioned fairy tale. I could get used to these people and their quaint ways.
We decided we better go home before people worried about me. We pulled up to Aunt Cat’s house to our welcoming committee. “Talli. You’re here, finally. We were beginning to worry.” Momma said. “I see you went swimming. That’s a surprise. I thought you went running.”
“Ya. That’s what I thought, too.” Cruz added.
“I did but Marco showed me the most beautiful lake I have ever seen! You need to go there. It is so awesome!” I told them about the lake and how it made me feel peaceful and what Marco said about it.
My dad looked at Aunt Cat but she nodded and confirmed what Marco had said. “We all should go out there. It will help us find these guys.” Aunt Cat said.
Cruz put his arm around my waist and pulled me close to him. “You know I will gladly go running with you any time you want. I can keep pace with you, you know.”
“Yup, I know that. I didn’t plan a run but when Marco suggested it I realized how much I missed it.” I told Cruz.
“Marco suggested it, huh. Were you here this morning, Marco?” Cruz asked him.
“Yes. I was out for my run and seen Talitha sitting on the porch. I just stopped to say hi and then asked her to join me.”
“How thoughtful of you.” Cruz sounded sarcastic. “Did you know that Talli and I are betrothed?”
“No. I didn’t know that, actually. Isn’t she rather young to be getting married?” Marco countered.
“Yes! I am! Too young to marry, that is. The betrothal was an arrangement between our fathers when I was born.” I explained. “I don’t plan on marrying anyone for a very long time. And when I do I don’t know who it will be with. That’s too much for me to worry about right now.”
“I’m confused.” Marco said. “Are you betrothed or not?”
“Like I said, my father made the agreement. I didn’t. It is a Teletrian custom. However, I did not grow up around Teletrians. I grew up in the United States where people don’t do that to babies.” I was tired of people talking for me. However, I felt bad now about saying that. I didn’t want to hurt Cruz. I really liked Cruz. “I’m just too young to make that kind of decision at this point in my life. Cruz and I kinda like each other. For now, that’s all it is.”
“I see.” Said Marco. “I am sorry, Cruz. I didn’t mean anything. Next time I’ll invite both of you. But I need to get home. I need to check on my sister, now that she’s back. I did leave my aunt with her but I still need to watch out for her until she gets deprogrammed.”
Cruz just muttered something under his breath.
“Okay, Marco. Thanks for the run and for introducing me to Bel Lago. If you need anything for your sister let me know.” I said.
“I gotta go too.” Cruz said and left. That was odd. He must be mad at me now. I guess I hurt his feelings. But he would just have to deal with it. I’m not going to act like I’m engaged to him right now. I’m too young for that. But I didn’t want to lose him either. I did like him, a lot. I texted him: wanna hang out later. He texted back: call you later. Uh oh. He was mad. I need to call Lis. She would know what to do.
“Lis, can you come over for a while?” I asked her. I explained that I was afraid I had hurt her brother’s feelings. She wasn’t able to come over for a while but we planned to get together later. I decided to get my mind on something else. I asked my parents if they wanted to ride out to see Bel Lago. They thought that was a great idea and wanted to bring Tio and my grandparents and have a family picnic. We were trying to incorporate Tio into the family and help him feel at ease. This sounded like a good way to start. We also invited Aunt Cat since she was our host.
Momma and grams loved the lake as much as I did. It was just so beautiful and pea
ceful. They all could feel the tranquility that radiated from it. We went swimming first since no one was hungry yet.
Tio was an amazing swimmer. He had been trained for competitive swimming by the TEC. It seems they had spent all his time training him in everything. Tio was smart and could do a lot of things. It was just hard to relate to him because he had never socialized with kids. He talked more like an adult and wasn’t familiar with anything kids talked about. I could teach him that though. I could get him back home and take him to the mall with Brielle and educate him on how to be a teenage boy.
Tio and I were racing laps across the lake and back. He always won but I was getting better. I just needed to practice more. We finally got out of the lake and dried off. I was helping grams and Aunt Cat set out our supper. My parents were still swimming. I looked up and seen Marco’s truck parked over by our car. That was odd. I wonder what he was doing back here. We just left this place.
Marco and his sister walked over to our table. “I guess you probably think I’m following you, huh?” He said as he approached.
“Well, as a matter of fact I was wondering.” I chuckled. “I guess you couldn’t get enough of this place either.”
“Something like that. There was something I couldn’t get enough of.” Marco said. “I wanted to bring my sister Dena out here to help her acclimate back to our village. I thought the lake would help her.”
“That’s a great idea.” I told him but I wondered what he meant by his first comment. “Dena, Marco, would you like to join us for dinner?”
“If you think it’s alright with your family.”
“Of course it’s alright, Marco.” Grams told him. “It’s probably a good idea for Tio and Dena to talk with each other. Only they know what each other has gone through.”
Dena was a few years older than Tio and had a life before she was taken by the TEC. However, they both had been held in a controlled environment and kept away from the world. They were lacking significantly in social skills. Maybe it would be easier for them to talk to each other. Marco had taken his sister to see extended family members and old friends. He thought that would help her remember and readjust. It wasn’t going as well as he had hoped.
“Tio and Dena, how about a quick swim before dinner?” I offered hoping they would go along. They hesitantly decided to go for a swim since that is what they were here for. Marco went with us. The four of us were swimming laps across the lake. I wasn’t trying, but I heard a voice I knew was thought and not spoken. Talli, you belong with this village, not a Teletrian. You are a healer. This is your destiny and responsibility. I stopped swimming and looked around to see where the voice came from. I had a good idea but I wasn’t sure. I thought it was Marco.
I swam over to the shore that was opposite of where the family was except for Tio and Dena who were still swimming laps. I leaned back on my arms and was enjoying the sun caressing my skin. My eyes were closed, of course to keep the glare out. I was considering what the voice had said. Is that really why I am a healer? Is it my responsibility to stay here now? I love this place and I love being here, for now. But I don’t want to stay here forever. I can’t be with Cruz if I stay here. Would I be wrong if I left? Would that be selfish of me? There is a healer here already, so I don’t really need to be here. There was a lot for me to contemplate.
I felt a shadow over my head and a presence of someone. I opened my eyes to see Marco standing in front of me. “Hey you’re blocking my sun.” I joked with him.
“Sorry, I didn’t think you were the tanning type.” He stepped over to my side and sat next me.
“You don’t think I could use some color? I’m pretty white next to all these Italians around here.”
“I don’t know. You look pretty good to me.”
Okay, time to change the subject. “So how’s it going with your sister? Does she know about your parents’ involvement? Is there anything I can do to help?”
“I know you heard me. Back there in the water. You left as soon as I thought it.” Marco admitted he was the voice.
“So I was just thinking about it. I am giving it some thought.” I told him.
“You know there is only one healer at a time, right?”
“Well, yeah, but there is already one here. Why would they need me to stay?” I disputed.
“I don’t know. I just know that if you are a healer, there is a reason. And you owe it to your people to help them.” Marco argued.
“Oh, now they’re my people? They were calling me an outsider. A lot of people here do not accept me as one of them. They resent that I even exist.” I said.
“That is their problem. You are chosen to be a healer. No one can deny that. You belong here.”
“Marco, I promise I will give this some thought and I will speak with my parents about it. But you should know…I still like Cruz, and I make up my own mind.” I stood up, jumped in the lake and swam back to the other side. I didn’t look back but I knew Marco had followed me. I also knew he would not give up easy.
As soon as we finished dinner I texted Lis. Can u talk?
Sure. My house or yours?
Mine.
K. B right there.
I told my parents I was running home and would see them when they got back. They didn’t feel good about me being alone until we settled all the uncertainty around the kidnappings. They decided to let me go if I took Tio with me. Marco offered me a ride but I told him I really wanted to run and burn off some anxiety.
I got home just as Lis got there. I must be getting faster and Tio definitely could keep up with me. I think they must have had him training for a long time. He was giving me a run for my money and he was only twelve. He wasn’t even finished growing. I could just imagine what he could do when he is full grown. I could see why these people had gone to such great lengths to create these super Teletrians. They were devious and evil and needed to be stopped.
As Lis and I sat on the porch I just came right out with it. “I’m afraid I was too blunt and hurt Cruz’ feelings. I’m not sure what to do about it. I really wasn’t trying to hurt him. That’s the last thing I want to happen. ” I confessed.
“I’m sorry. You seem distressed about it so I’m sure you didn’t mean to. Don’t worry. He will get over it. Did you apologize?” Lissandra asked me.
“Oh dang. Not really. I should have done that. Maybe I should do it in person and not text. What do you think?”
“I think you’re right. It should be in person. He wasn’t home when I left. As soon as he gets home I’ll let you know. Or do you just want to come over and hang out until he gets there?”
“No. I think I’ll go shower and clean up first. Then I’ll come over. He should be home by then. Where would he go around here?” I said. Lis went home and I went and showered. I looked for something special to wear. I wanted to look hot but not scream “easy.” That’s not me and not what I was trying to portray. But I did want to get his attention in a subtle way. I left my hair curly and natural. I found a baby blue tank top. Cruz’ favorite color. I threw a white ruffled blouse over the top of it and put on my favorite AE skinny jeans.
I walked over to Caio’s house where the DaMonicos were staying. I texted Lis to give her a heads up. She texted me back and said that Cruz was there. I was nervous but I wasn’t going to back out now. I knocked on the door. Lis answered it. She pulled me inside and hollered for Cruz to come to the door. A quick look in the hallway mirror let me know I had picked the right outfit. I still felt nervous. I had never felt nervous about talking to a guy before. But I usually talked to friends and not guys I liked more than a friend.
I was sitting on the sofa trying to act casual, reading a magazine that was sitting there. “Hey.” Cruz said when he walked in. He remained standing next to the sofa. Ugh. He didn’t sit next to me.
“Hey.” I said back.
Then I gathered my courage and continued on to what I was there for. “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings today.” What else could I say? I was lost for words. Me, miss talkative lost for words. Then he sat next to me. That was a good start! I picked up his hand and threaded my fingers through his. Yup, it was still there! The zing went through my body. I was so relieved that it wasn’t gone. Listen to me. I do want to be with him. Why am I so confused about it?
“Look, if you don’t want me to hear your thoughts, you shouldn’t hold my hand. It’s really hard for me to ignore them. I was going to say if you want me to back off and give you your space, I will. And then I hear a thought like that and I don’t know what to say. So what do you want me to do, Talitha?” He used my full name. This was still not good.
“I don’t want you to back off. I want to…I don’t know. I want to spend time with you. I love being around you. I know we are good together with our abilities and it feels right to be with you. I just am….” I was trying to convey my feelings but I was struggling. Cruz interrupted my talking by pulling me close to him and planting his lips on mine. I instantly melted and kissed him back passionately. It was electrifying! I felt so connected to him at that moment. My whole body was on fire. How could I think clearly when he did that? Maybe that was his goal.
He pulled away just enough to look into my eyes. “You are the single most beautiful creature in this world. Can you understand why I am jealous when you are with another guy?”
“But I wasn’t with him. Well not like that. We went running and then swimming, like friends.” I said.
“Talli, being friends was the farthest thing from his mind.” Cruz said.
“Why would you think that?”
“I don’t think it. I know it. I’ve read his mind.”
“Oh.” I realized he would be able to do that, and would. “Cruz, have you ever had feelings for anyone?”
“You mean have I ever liked another girl? No. I knew you were mi amica before I ever met you. No, that’s not why. I don’t know, I’ve probably flirted with girls a little but no one caught my interest. I had friends that were girls, but not any girlfriends. Why?” He asked.
“I just feel like you were forced on to me and never considered anyone else. What if one day you meet someone and realize you never had a chance to like anyone else?”
“That wouldn’t happen.”
“How can you be sure?”
Because I know how I feel about you. I am not going to look for anyone else. I’m happy with you, as long as you are happy with me. That would be the only thing to change me, if you aren’t happy with me. You are beautiful, intelligent, fun, caring, strong….what more could I ask for”
“That’s just it. There are more beautiful girls out there than me. I’ve always considered myself average.”
“That’s one of the things I love about you the most, Talli. You don’t know how beautiful you are. There is no one who can compare to you.”
I could tell he was sincere. That meant a lot to hear his true feelings and know they were real. It just didn’t seem right that people betroth their children. I couldn’t see how a good relationship could come out of that. It seemed to me that if they hadn’t made the choice themselves that they wouldn’t be making a good decision. That’s what was bothering me.
I thought about the things he had said. Maybe he did know what he wanted. Maybe Cruz was just led to me and the rest just happened naturally. I was starting to lose my fears. Maybe his feelings for me where genuine and would have happened even if we had met another way. Maybe I was ready to make a commitment to him. Not marriage, but a small commitment. “Cruz, I think, no I know I’m ready for a relationship with you. I don’t want to see anyone else either. When I thought I might lose you I felt physically sick. Like a part of me was missing. I don’t want to feel like that again.”
The biggest smile emerged on his face and then it disappeared as he kissed me again. I heard his mind tell me. Neither do I. I think this is a good place to be. I know what I want and I know how Cruz feels towards me. I know that this relationship was not forced onto anyone. It just happened naturally, even though the way we met was unconventional, the feelings are very real.
Whatever happens from here on will be okay. Whether we find Pietro and his gang or the ones who kidnapped me and Cruz, won’t really matter. It would be nice to find them but if we don’t, I’m good right here with him.