Especially Gifted

12 **Family Turnout**

        I walked out and headed straight for Grey's. I was so happily and worriedly distracted that I hardly noticed when I ran smack into Xander. I shook myself and mumbled and apology and began to start walking again when a hand grabbed my arm. After three good yanks, I finally realized the pain that now shot through my arm and the hand that was clutching it. 

        "Hey sis, what's up? You going on a date?" I winced when he said the word date. I thought that Xander wouldn't find out for a while, but I guess I just blew that. I tried to respond, but my voice cracked and I couldn't finish. I attempted at clearing my throat before I tried again. This time my mouth moved but no sound came out. Just little squeaks and clicking when it would happen but still be muffled. I stood there staring at him like an idiot.

        "I'm really late bub. I'll see you later. Oh! I also have a surprise for you so we have to hang out tomorrow." I finished in a rush. I took off down the hallway throwing a "goodbye and love you," over my shoulders. Hoping that he wouldn't follow me, my brain finally started turning its gears. I walked a little more, after passing Grey's door just in case. When I thought I lost him, I rapped on the door. Grey opened slowly, then jerked it open when he noticed it was me. His hand grabbed my arm and he tugged me inside. The tug was a little bit harder than he intended and he almost put my arm out of socket. He kicked the door shut as I lost balance and flew toward him. Thankfully the door was shut, but I still landed on top of Grey. He winced a little, but smiled an amazing smile shortly after.

        "I'll always catch you when you fall Cassia. I promise." His smile let me know that he was genuine, while his eyes told me he was serious. His warmth and sweet scent enveloped me as I breathed in deeply. I got up to my feet after almost falling again. He led me to his bed before we spoke. "Xander seen you. He texted and asked if I knew who your date was. I told him that I had no idea." I nodded, worried about what Grey was thinking.

        "I finally got away from my mom. I was so happy and worried I didn't even notice that he had a hold of my arm until it was practically throbbing." I tried for a laugh, but failed at the attempt. "By the way, tomorrow I have to reintroduce him to my mom. She'd love to meet you if you wanna join." I watched him as his eyes changed. They went from glossy to understanding. He shook his head not long after I mentioned the idea. Before I could protest, he held up a group of movies. I pointed a couple of them out and he turned one on. As I got comfy on the comforter, Grey went and got popcorn and some Peanut M&M's (my favorite). We settled in and was about to start when there was a knock on the door. We shot each other a worried glance. I motioned to him to wait so I could see who it was. As I adjusted my eyes while the ability kicked in. Slowly, a silhouette of a woman came into view. After a second or two, I could clearly see the person on the other side of the door. My mom. I switched it off and groaned.

        I walked to the door and opened it up for her. She walked in, and sat right on Grey's bed, making herself more at home than either of us would have liked. "Sweetie, there is something that I need to tell you. It couldn't wait any longer and it involves Grey too so he should know about it." We sat in an awkward anticipation waiting for her to continue. Finally when she got the idea, she started up again. "There's something in our families book of shadows that I never told you about. It's a secret that I wanted to tell you, but didn't want you to be afraid of dating." She shot a quick glance over at Grey before continuing. "There is a page that I ripped out a long time ago....,"she started fishing through the purse I didn't notice that she was carrying. After a piercingly quiet ten minutes, she handed over a wrinkled up paper. You could see the tear lines where it was ripped out of the book and kept hidden all these years. I took a peek over at Grey. He looked like there was a self riot going on in that head of his. He looked scared and terrified, but I also noticed that he was trying to act cool to seem like a nice young man infront of my mom. That's really sweet of him, especially since he's petrified of her. I looked down at the paper in my hands and began reading to myself:

        "The Blake family ran into one of the higher and more powerful enemies today. He was furious, for he had tried countless times to court the Blake lady down the aisle. But every time he was rejected and shoved away. For she loved someone else. He claimed that it was their destiny or fate to fall in love. "It's written in the stars. The path is already set," He would claim. No one believed him. After a year of failed attempts, he came to the young lady's house to say goodbye, and that he was giving up. So she agreed to meet with him one day while her beloved husband was at work.

      This young man had kept a secret from her though. That night when they met he explained to her about his feelings and how he knew they were supposed to be together. He then showed her a page from his father's father's diary. " Today while I was cleaning out the attic I found the page and knew that I needed to record my findings. I thought that this was all a tall tale, but after seeing the page I know that it is the truth.------G.L.B.  1968

        We have come to find out in the past few years more information about the curse. Three young men will all fall for the young Blake woman. But she is only destined to be with one of them. The other two will lead her down a path of betrayal and sadness. If she falls for one of the jokers, she will have a terrible life. The jokers were not just made to be with her, they are also people and do not know that they aren't meant to be. These jokers have no known traits, so it will be hard to tell which is her true love .She will have to find out which of the three men she is destined to be with. All three of them will love her, and she'll also fall for all three. But one of them is truly meant to be.

        They will each appear in her life around the age of 17 and will meet her within weeks of each other. No matter how she meets them, it will all be within a time span of three weeks from each other. She will know the time when she is of age and will fall for someone. The other two won't be far behind the first. It is a tricky process, but you can tell who the Jokers are and who the knight is. Only she will be able to tell and only when she is ready to accept the fact that two of the men she loves is purely out of a curse that happened long ago. But beware, the lady Blake must choose one of the three men within a year of first meeting them. If not, all three men will die. She shall follow and arrive with them in death not long after.

         Marianne Blake just passed away of a broken heart a few weeks ago. For she couldn't choose whom it was within the year. They all went on a boating trip, and while the boys were too distracted trying to get her to choose between the three of them, the boat hit something causing it to sink. She miraculously lived, but the boys weren't so lucky. She has passed within three months of the boys' departure. Just know that each of them are appealing to the woman. She will fall for all three men so it is harder for her to choose her true love. And that if she doesn't choose, they will die. Along with her not too far behind. Choose wisely and carefully. And good luck to the woman of the Blake before you..... ------- R.D.B.  1979