Chapter Four

"Momma," I whimpered, "What are they doing?" I was so scared I was shaking.

Mom looked pretty nervous too.  Neither of us knew what to do so we just stood there looking back at the people who had started to lift their heads.  They were clearly expecting us to say something.  

A man wearing a very colorful robe emerged. He must have sensed that we did not know the protocol.  He greeted us with a booming voice, "Rise all, and welcome the long awaited Princess Katalea."  He spoke with such authority but his words make no sense.  Did someone tell him my nickname at home was princess?

"Please follow me, your damsire is waiting."  He spoke so formally that I immediately grabbed for my bag.  As I did a young boy was also reaching for it. He was dressed all in white, there was no color on him except his golden eyes and his incredible tan skin. I thought he was going to grab it and run so I put my hands on it too.  He shrugged and said, "I am honored to serve you while you are here, anything you need you have only to ask." 

I smiled at him and he lowered his eyes.  What is going on here?  I know this is a foreign country, but it's not a foreign planet.

I sent a mental message to Mom but she didn't respond.  She just kept walking after the man in the bright robe. As we left the beach area we were shown into a waiting car with tinted windows and a driver with a suit and cap.  He bowed low as we approached.  While he was bowing I could see a crest on his cap. I had seen that crest before, but I couldn't place it. 

We drove for literally two minutes before the car stopped and the driver was speaking out of the window to the guard in the guard shack.  He spoke in a funny language but I heard my name.  I couldn't understand him but the enormous gates opened up and we entered into a tropical paradise.  I have never been into flowers, ironic since I am named after one, but this was beyond beautiful. The flowers were enormous and so bright that I couldn't take my eyes off the gardens.

I was so entranced that I didnt notice the house, if you could a call it that, as we pulled up.  We got out and stood before it looking as tiny as ants in front of its massiveness. 

The thickest wooden door I have ever seen opened and a great big teddy bear of a man pulled Momma into a bear hug I thought would break her in two. 

"Daddy!" She cried and I thought I would faint. 

Daddy? This is my Grandpa? Last week, I did not know I had a Grandpa and I certainly never imagined one this big or this handsome.  He had a head full of curly salt and pepper hair and a great big smile. He wore white slacks and a printed white and blue shirt.  The blue in his shirt matched his eyes, and mine....

"And look what you've brought me?  I had almost given up hope.  Thank the goddesses you are here at last Katalea." He looked down at me with tears in his eyes and smiled. His smile was so welcoming I forgot to be afraid.

"I'm Katalea," I spoke softly, afraid I would not have a voice at all, "Are you my GrandPa?"

He threw back his head and roared with laughter.  "I am your Grandfather, and your biggest fan! I have so much to tell you, and so much I want to learn about you.  But first, let me show you to your rooms.  I am sure you would like to get settled.  We will have a sunset dinner on the terrace in one hour.  I had the cook prepare all your favorites!"

As we walked towards the grandest staircase ever built, we passed a library bigger than my old school's.  There was an indoor flower garden to the left, that had a koi pond in it.  I have never seen a pond in the house before.  As we began climbing up I could see a pool that started indoors and continued outdoors, until it looked like it just ended at the edge of the world. I don't think I'll be trying that out I thought. 

Mom and I were in separate rooms, connected by a door.  My room was all jewel tones with little shells for decoration. It looked very mature.  I am so glad it wasn't all done in baby pink!  Mom's room was all creamy white with curtains so thin you could see straight through them. Color was brought into the room with some fresh cut flowers. 

Mom saw the delight on my face when I realized I had a balcony all of my own.  My room overlooked the ocean, or the sea,or some body of water.  I really needed to find out where I was. 

I was left by myself to get cleaned up. To my amazement my clothes were all put away and my shower things were neatly placed in the bathroom. The bathroom in this place was bigger than my room at home! There was a temperature gauge outside the shower that Mom had come in and set for me.  As I opened the shower door it just popped on, already warm. A girl could get used to living in the lap of luxury.  I took a quick shower and changed into a white dress.  White clothes seem to be very popular here.  I was done in ten minutes. That left me with plenty of time to spend on the balcony.  

There were palm trees as tall as the sky all over the property. The grounds were amazing and I was wondering if i would be able to sneak out at night and explore. As I stood contemplating my chances of getting caught, I saw a drone circling the house. I watched it until it was nearly in my face.  I went back inside quickly, not knowing what a drone would be doing outside my bedroom.  I guess security here was pretty tight here. That sure answered my question about a midnight stroll.

Dinner really was all my favorites.  Momma had told me that I had to be polite and eat whatever was offered, so imagine my relief when fried chicken and tuna strips were both being served.  there were French fries, and peppered corn, asparagus, and biscuits.  Nothing really went together but I couldn't get enough.  I wonder what meals are like on a regular day.  When we were all through, a giant chocolate cake was wheeled in. It had three layers and each layer was seperated with a raspberry sauce that tasted like heaven.  They were really pulling out all the stops to make us feel comfortable. 

The dining table on the terrace was big enough for a party of twelve, but we only had eight.  My mom and me, Grandfather and five of the most beautiful people ever to grace the earth all sat down to enjoy the feast.  As I looked around, servants came and went everywhere.  They brought our plates and refilled any glass that looked empty.  They cleared plates as if they sat on edge for you to take that last bite.  We don't have servants at home, but these folks acted like they were so lucky to be doing their job.  

Before dinner got started introductions were made.  The graceful older woman to Grandfather's left was his wife.  She looked like a movie star, was there something in the water here? Everyone is so beautiful.  She had dark hair similar to mine, but her eyes were the same mesmerizing green that my mother had. She did not speak much, but there were tears in those amazing eyes and she smiled a lot.  

Two of the other five turned out to be Momma's siblings.  An Uncle, named Peter with curly dark hair like Grandfather's and amber eyes that were so intense.  I felt like he would burn a hole right through me when he looked directly at me.  

Momma's other sibling, Aunt Pria, looked exactly like her.  Was it possible that Momma was a twin too?  They both shared the same green eyes that looked back at me from Grandmother's  face.  She did not look as pleased to see us as the others.  

The younger three were my cousins.  Two boys, Kareem and Ali, who looked just like Uncle Peter. the girl's name was Jade, I am assuming she was named for the incredible green eyes she shared with the other women in the room.  

Although my cousins were older than me, I couldn't wait to hang out with them and find out what was really going on, as only kids could tell it. 

I found myself having a hard time sitting still, but manners here seem to be very important. I tried very hard to make Momma proud.  With so many questions running through my head I thought it just might explode.  

When dinner finally ended, my Grandfather invited everyone into the great room.  The sun had set and it was getting cold. A fire had been built and the glass walls in this room that turned out to be doors had been pulled open so we sat looking out at the water. 

Momma had cautioned me to be very quiet and let Grandfather lead any talks, but the silence was getting to be too much.  

"Thank you for the lovely dinner." I said as Momma had taught me.  

Grandfather looked me over and winked. 

"Come here child, let me get a good look at you," he bellowed as if I wasn't just two feet from him. 

I stood, shaking llife a leaf through my body, and looked him directly in the eyes. I wasn't as much scared as I was excited.  I just wanted some answers!

"I am proud that my Granddaugher can look me directly in my eyes while practicing patience.  That is hard for a grown cat," He began.  "I have a lot to tell you and I want to get to know you.  Let us relax our manners and speak freely this night."  He spoke words that made me almost as happy as the dinner.

"May we all speak freely Grandfather?" My cousins Jade spoke unsurely.

"Yes, Jade, do you have something you wish to say?" Grandfather asked.

"Yes, Grandfather." Turning to me she said, "We have heard stories of you all our lives.  It is great to finally get to meet you."

That was not what I was expecting.  I had no idea how to respond to this.  I smiled at her and turned to my Grandfather, "Maybel you could start at the beginning?"