Book 1: Lost In Translation (Another Reason To Cry) (Izzy Stradlin FanFic)

Ch. 8: Lost In White Marble

As I stepped into the room, I was hit by the scent of cleaning products and flowers in a spray can. The floor was white marble, and there was a double sided staircase towering above me. A slender woman with the body of a model was slinking down the stairs, her bony hand sliding along the banister with her scarlet nails clicking along the wood. Her lips rested on her face like blood red rose petals, they were parted into a smile as she looked down at her daughter, who was practically a spitting image of herself except younger and at a healthier weight.

"Darling!" Her voice was soft and calm, but in an eerie way, almost as if she had a devious side bubbling just below her surface.

Melody strode up to her and I watched as they kissed each other on both cheeks in some strange, foreign greeting. Only, her mom didn't even kiss her. She didn't even touch her.

"Who's your friend?" Her mother's voice dropped to an icy tone as she looked me up and down. I suddenly became very aware of every little hole in my jeans. I shuffled uncomfortably.

Melody began signing things as fast as her hands could go. Her mother held up a hand to stop her.

"Oh, please, darling. Don't start with all of those crazy hand gestures," she groaned as though Melody was an annoyance. "Sandra is here."

Melody sighed and waited patiently as her mother called for Sandra. A blond woman that looked to be about in her thirties came out from the doorway in between the two staircases. She trudged over to Melody's mom and stood by her side, signing to Melody before waiting patiently for her response.

Melody glared at Sandra before continuing with all of her signs.

"Uh...she says that his name is Izzy...he's also a regular at the café...he's in a band...writes his own music...."

Her mom laughed at that. "Music? Oh, how scrumptuous."

I bit the inside of my cheek at her sarcasm as she watched me the whole time Sandra spoke. She still seemed to be checking me out, and I'm pretty sure I was looking worse and worse in contrast with this polished, marble room.

"She says that he already met her father...she wanted him to meet you too...she thinks he's...great," Sandra finished finally, turning to Melody's mother to prepare for her response.

I caught Melody's eye and she smiled sheepishly at me, blushing slightly. I grinned back and winked.

"So...he's met your father, has he?"

Sandra started to sign to Melody, but Melody ignored her and nodded her head quickly.

"Yes," Sandra said, seeing as Melody's mom wasn't even looking at her daughter long enough to even see her response.

"What'd your father say?"

" 'Good luck'," Sandra responded.

Her mother laughed, sending chills down my spine at how sweet and sour it sounded. How could she seem so cruel, yet look so beautiful? She smiled at me wickedly.

"How completely-ahem-humble, you look, Mr....?"

"Stradlin," I finished for her, wincing at my own raunchy name in this ritzy setting.

She quirked an eye brow.

"Stradlin," she repeated, her voice dropping as though she had lost any ounce of respect that she might have had for me a few seconds ago.

"Thank you, Mrs. Swanson," I nodded to her politely. "I don't need much."

"That's apparent," she muttered, giving my outfit a disgusted once-over. She turned on her heel and began to head towards the stair case on the left where she had descended from earlier.

"Come, Sandra. I wish to speak to my daughter in private."

Melody looked to Sandra for help and Sandra signed to her. Melody rolled her eyes and turned to me. She argued in sign language with Sandra for a moment before Sandra finally turned to me.

"She wanted me to tell you that she'll be right back," Sandra said hurriedly, obviously not too keen on having to associate herself with me.

"Sure. No problem. I'll be right here."

I knew Sandra wouldn't have the courtesy to send my message Melody's way, so I made sure I said it clearly myself while Melody was watching.

A grin slowly spread across her face and she gave me a quick hug before Sandra dragged her away, off towards the stairs, to follow her mother wherever she had gone.