The Butterfly House by Lori Meckley Page A

glued to my seat ?” I asked laughing.
    Sam tossed a thick folder in front of me. “I thought you'd never ask!”
     
    Ava
    I couldn't help feeling happy one minute and sad the next as I sat with baby Miles. He was getting stronger each day but Angela was not doing so well. They still had not brought her out the coma. I prayed for her – for all of us. I was a basket case when they asked me about her family. I honestly didn't know if she even had family but it felt safer for her and the baby to continue my silence. I would continue holding onto my story of being his guardian and her only family – for all purposes it was true from where I stood.
    I left baby Miles to see Angela before leaving for work. I held her warm hand wondering if I'd ever know the real story that brought her to my door in labor, so scared out of her mind. Until I knew that I was going to protect her and baby Miles with my life if I had to.
    After last night I knew I would have to talk to Nolan about the situation. I thought about him so much today that I barely got my homework done. I couldn't wait to see him tonight after work. I was also excited to see his shop. I didn't know anyone who worked with glass.
    As I left the elevator and headed to the side exit doors of the hospital my cell phone vibrated. I had a text.
    “How's my beautiful girl?”
    I texted back.
    “ Hey I'm good! I was just thinking about you!”
    A few minutes later.
    “I can't wait to see you, I've been thinking about you all morning!”
    I replied.
    “Was it dirty?”
    It went about five minutes then he replied.
    “It might have been...”
    I stopped walking. I laughed out loud. People were staring at me but I didn't care.
    “Really? Only might have been dirty? Are you coming to watch me work tonight?
    He replied.
    “Will it be dirty if I come?”
    He was cracking me up. I texted back.
    “It will be if you're coming...”
    I started walking when he didn't reply right away. As I waited at the crosswalk for the signal to change to walk when he replied.
    “I'm definitely coming then...” and then a few minutes later he sent me a huge kiss. I sent him one back.
    Call me crazy but I felt something serious for this man I had only known for a short time but I wasn't about to let that something make me question it to death. Feelings were real and this felt real to me. I walked happily across the street and headed to The Butterfly House . I had a dirty show to put on for him. I skipped merrily along I had a plan to make Mr. Nolan Walker hope he wasn't wearing tight jeans tonight.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Becoming Lotus
    I dressed with care. I had wanted to do a spin on Yanni's album Voices we had listened to. I pulled on black stretch pants that were low waisted but were boot cut. The waistline of the pants were cut and shaped like lotus petals. People would see my belly and its piercing as I moved. My blouse was a thin gray silk wraparound. It's hugged my breasts tightly but was loose enough for them to bounce a little. Last I chose to dance barefoot.
    It was so nice to have my own dressing room now. Mr. Rayburn was a mover and shaker at getting things done fast. I was putting on my makeup to fit the intense feel of the music. Dark grey eyeshadow lined my eyes and then deep gunmetal gray to fill in the eyelid area. With the mix of the two colors it made my blue eyes stand out. I had my hair in hot rollers, then selected a pile of antique hair pins I had found at the local street market, they had deep purple lotus flowers on them.
    After fifteen minutes I removed each roller gently. I put my hair up, winding it around and sticking pins in to hold it, leaving a few pieces fall around my face.
    I heard a knock at my door.
    “Come in,” I said.
    It was Sam. 
    “Ava how are things going for you?”
    “ Actually they are going great Sam. Thank you for asking.”
    “ I understand you'd like the piano moved out to the stage for your routine