Seeping Wounds

XXVI-Addison

I stare at myself in the mirror.

I've never had a reason to care much about my looks except on certain days. This is one of them.

On Christmas Eve. I always try to look good. This is the celebration of the birth of the most important man in all the world.

Nick is going to meet my mom and I at the church. It means a lot to me that he is willing to keep an open mind to this part of me. I don't want him to change his beliefs because of me but I do want him to accept that I won't change mine for him.

I'm glad he does.

My hand smooths out my skirt. I love this dress. It's a deep ruby red, slim fitting in the bodice but fluttering and silky in the skirt. When I walk the skirt flutters behind me like butterfly wings.

I remember this one Halloween costume I had when I was maybe six? It was this black suit with beautiful monarch butterfly wings. That fabric wasn't as nice as this but I still felt as though I was beautiful, something incredible. Not damaged. I hate that feeling, that I was a mistake or an accident.

I slide my feet into the simple black flats that sit on my rug. They aren't spectacular but they are more comfortable than what a lot of girls wear.

My hair is usually as straight as a pin, long and blonde and boring. Today though I have put the effort in to curl it, it is Christmas Eve. after all.

Mia will look stunning, she always does. For once though, I feel pretty.

This time my backpack remains in my room. My mom and I made a deal a while ago that if there were supplies at the church I didn't need to bring my backpack. Bandages, the clotting factor, everything is stored at the church.

For some reason I feel lighter without my backpack. If a stranger passed me they might not notice my ugly pale skin that shows my veins, or question why I'm not wearing heels. If a stranger passed me they wouldn't know that I have Hemophilia. They wouldn't know.

"You look beautiful Addison." My mom says smiling when I reach the bottom of the stairs.

I smile at her, true to her word my mother has let me live my life. I think now that she has seen that I'm not going to run around doing stupid things she agrees that it is good for me.

She would never admit it though.

We arrive early at the church, giving us time to visit.

Nick arrives not long after we do.

"Come with me," He says, "I have a surprise for you."

"What is it?" I ask.

Nick thinks for a moment, "Okay, I don't want to spring this on you with no warning so I'll tell you."

I wait, watching a grin spread across his face.

"I convinced my family to come tonight, they're here." He says, "I've met your mother so I thought it was time that you met my family."

I smile, "Lead the way, I want to meet them."

Nick and I weave our way through the people up to a group of three people.

"Dr. Shantz?" I gasp.

Dr. Shantz looks just as surprised to see me.

Of course! I never thought about it. Nick's last name is Shantz. His mother he said was a doctor. Dr. Shantz said she has two sons Nick and Vick. I saw a picture of them in her office the last time I was there.

How did I not see it before?

"Addison?" She says, "Nick you've been dating Addison?"

Nick, Vick and Mr. Shantz are standing there looking confused.