Mila's Men

The Party

It was a magnificent spring morning. Mila Furthington opened her eyes, and stared at the ceiling fan above her bed. Mila lived in a yellow brick cape cod, that set back into the woods. She rolled to her side and look out her window, at the giant magnolia tree; that towered over the yard. Mila sat up and stretched her arms over her head. It was a very special day for Mila - her sixteenth birthday. She jumped out of bed, and opened her bedroom door; which was plastered with her drawings. She stepped out into the hall. There was a 'Happy Birthday' banner hung across the stairwell. Mila smiled as she ran down the steps into the foyer.

She turned the corner to see her family. They were standing around the dinning room table. Mila walked closer - her grin beginning to grow. On the table sat a large cake. It had hand piped flowers, and purple edging.

"Happy Birthday!" everyone screamed.

"No - do I have to do this?" Mila moaned.

"It's your Sweet Sixteen!" her father said. "Your uncle Ned came all the way from East Liverpool!"

Mila saw her mother and Aunt Clarice leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Make a wish!" everyone cried.

Mila leaned over the cake and puckered her lips. She was about to blow out the candles; when she stopped. From the corner of her eye, she saw her older brother knock over the candles with his hand.

"What did you wish for?" he said snickering. "

That you would go away!" she said -shoving a piece of cake into his ribs.

"Time for presents!" their mother said gleefully. The family gathered around Mila; setting in the middle of the living room floor. Mila felt embarrassed - everyone staring at her. She looked around the room for a present to open. The more she looked; the more difficult it was for her to decide. "Open mine!" Aunt Clarice said, handing Mila a wrapped box.

The box was flat and light. Mila open the box, and held up a pink skirt.

"How foolish could you be? Mila's mother said firmly.

"Well it's about time that 'tomboy' of yours, gets her head out of the clouds, and into something a little more 'revealing'!" Clarice demand.

"Alright - that's enough!" Mila's father said. "You do remember, that you two are sisters?" He said jokingly.

Mila folded up the skirt, and placed it back away in it's box.

"Here's three wonderful gifts for my neice; the young 'renaissance woman'!" Uncle Ned announced proudly.

Mila unwrapped one. Her big brown eyes opened wide. "

Wow!" she exclaimed.

It was a watercolor set. Mila put the paints down, and reached for a pyramid shaped present - her eyes still gleaming. It was a metronome.

"Tic-Tock! Ned witted. Mila pushed her hair behind her ears, and grabbed the final gift. Ned smiled proudly. Mila unwrapped a small tome.

"Thanks, Uncle Ned" she shouted.

"My pleasure!" Ned boasted.

Mila continued to open up her presents. She eventually opened all the gifts. Everyone began to talk amongst themselves. Mila grew bored, and crept upstairs to her room. She locked the door behind her, and flopped down on her bed. Mila opened up the daybook that Uncle Ned gave her. She jotted down a Poem:

Touch - the touch of a loved one's hand, on our shoulder; so gentle - something that evokes a feeling - it grabs you, and shakes you involuntarily - there is something unmistakable about it - such a power can only be Divine - a supernatural calling...

Mila closed the book, and tucked it under her pillow. It was night now and all the guests had returned to their homes. There was a knock at the bedroom door.

"Come in!" Mila called.

Her father walked in to the ornate bedroom.

"I hope you had great birthday, honey!" he said kissing her on the head. His mustache tickling her forehead. "Sorry we couldn't afford that sports car you wanted" he chuckled. 

"I wish that my life was more exciting; like in those action movie!"

"Well, I think your life will get more exciting as you grow up." said her father.

Mila sighed "I don't want to wait!" she grunted.

Her father walked  towards the door - he turned around and said "I love you!"

"I love you too!" Mila said with a smile.

Mila pulled the covers over her face as she heard the door shut. Her cat Shoes jumped up onto her bed. She curled up at her feet. Mila fell into a deep sleep. Her mind drifted into a comatose state - then she awoke.

Mila opened up her eyes to see something close to her face. She flinched. It was a pine branch. Mila realized she was lying on a bed of pine needles, in a dense forest. She began to sit up. There was rustle in the woods. Mila turned her head. A young man in an old tee-shirt and blue-jeans approached her.

"Shh..." he whispered "...were safe!"

"What's going on!" Mila snapped.

"Ah, so you thought you could ditch us!" A voice cried from behind her.

Mila sat up. There were three men dressed in colorful Arabian garb.

The young man chimed in "I don't know what your talking about - me and my girlfriend are just camping for the weekend - now you woke her - leave us alone!"

"I'm not your girlfriend!" Mila exclaimed in an angry tone.

"The jig is up!" one of the men shouted.

The men reached into there baggy clothes, and pulled out three black hand-guns. The young man put his hand in the air. The three men came closer. Mila laid back down in fear. Suddenly, the men jerked forward. The guns went flying from their hands - landing in the brush.

"I warned you!" The young man said pulling a long knife from his pocket. He began to slash at the men...

"Mila! Wake up, Mila!" her parents yelled shaking her bed.

Shoes got up and ran out the bedroom door.

"Is it time for Church already?" Mila uttered. "

There's something waiting for you in the driveway." her mother said.

Mila perked up

"You got me a car!" Mila screamed.

She jumped up, and ran down stairs to the foyer.

Her parents ran after her."Mila - wait!"

She opened the door, and ran down the brick path. There, parked in the driveway; was a limousine. Her parents caught up.

"Mila, this is your surprise present from Uncle Beauregard."

"You mean the 'great Boris Beauregard'?" Mila asked.

"Yes, that Uncle Beauregard." her parents answered.

"Is this my own personal limousine?" said Mila in a curious voice.

"Well, honey..." her father said "...your going on a little trip, and you will be learning a lot about grown up things."

"What things? Where am I going?" Mila blurted.

"You'll learn all about it; when you get there... me and your mother want to tell you that we will miss you, and to stay safe."

"Do I have go?" Mila questioned

"You'll be ok - you can come back home anytime you like!" Her father assured her

"When do I leave?" Mila asked.

"You leave now." Her mother said in a solemn voice.

Mila hugged her parents. She strolled over to the limousine. She was unsure about of this clandestine trip. A driver in a beefeater suit, opened her door. Mila thanked him, and stepped into her seat. She waved to her parents, as the car drove out the drive way; and down the country road.