Close to Destiny (A Magical Love Story)

Chapter 23

April 3, late evening

I'd cried myself dry. Salt-stained cheeks, puffy eyes and a stack of rumpled tissues were testimony to what I had been doing since I left Destiny's house. Thoughts raced through my head. I struggled to analyze the situation.

Was this some kind of dumb joke? Or was insanity involved? The first scenario seemed highly unlikely. Destiny wouldn't put herself through so much trouble over a period of months to fool some stranger. It wasn't as if she or anyone else would have much to gain from it.

Craziness could be an explanation. What if, slowly but surely, Destiny was losing her mind? But that scenario didn't make much sense either. It didn't explain Will's role or the fact that Destiny seemed to have a window into my soul. My mother, Blanche and Dr. Bell were the only ones who knew the details of my life and the mental turmoil that had sprung up out of nowhere.

There was only one option I couldn't accept or even consider: the idea that everything Destiny had said was true. The real world wasn't a place for fairy tales, time travel and magic wands. I wasn't a five-year-old, and I wasn't about to be treated like one. Destiny, by somehow throwing me some accurate information about myself, was expecting me to swallow an absolutely impossible story along with it.

These thoughts twisted themselves through my mind as I tossed and turned in the darkened room. I wanted the night to be over. The next morning, I would hurry to the airport with my return ticket and try to get on the next flight to New York. I would return to Paul and a somewhat normal life. And I would forget about everything that had unfolded at The Grand East Hotel over the past few months. With all my might, I would push away any and every thought of Will. He was part of this web of madness and nothing more.

Someone shaking me. Waking me up. I peered groggily out of bleary eyes.

"Katherine! We're going to be late!"

Destiny's voice.

She grabbed my hand and led me to the door. I stumbled after her. Trying to organize thoughts in my dazed mind. What had happened yesterday? Had it been a dream? No, wait a minute. Was this a dream? Destiny was supposed to be sick, weakened. Yet she stood before me with glowing eyes and a bright smile. She wore a pink, billowy dress that almost matched the color of her cheeks.

Before I could resist, we were in the hallway and she was leading me to the place that had become so familiar.

"I thought you were sick?" I called out after her.

"I told you this was going to be a good day!"

"But earlier, you were coughing."

"Oh, that's when I get too excited about something," she said with a wave of her hand. "No worries. It's nothing!"

"How do you know so much about me?" I asked.

"Then you do believe me."

"I didn't say that."

Destiny grinned.

"Katherine, it's either all or nothing. Once you're willing to accept the whole truth, we can talk about it. Until then, you're not ready."

I furrowed my brow as I hurried after her.

"What if I said I believed you?"

"Now I don't believe you! I've dealt with enough cases like you, my dear Katherine. I'll know when you're sincere." She laughed lightheartedly and led me up the ladder to our usual spot behind the bar.

The party was in full swing as we rose to our feet and stepped around the counter. The bartender handed us each a glass of champagne. I held mine gingerly between shaky hands. Destiny took a sip of hers, set it down on the counter and scanned the room. Wall-to-wall people. The disco balls reflected beaded dresses, tuxedo shirts and well-shined shoes. They danced to disco this time. Dancing Queen. A young woman wearing a sequined miniskirt stood on a makeshift stage with the band and shimmied to the music.

Although everyone appeared to be ignoring my disheveled appearance, I still felt uncomfortable standing there in bare feet and a nightgown. This is becoming a habit, I thought to myself, wryly.

Suddenly, the girl with the sequined miniskirt was no longer with the band and instead was greeting Destiny with a kiss on both cheeks. She had a round porcelain-doll face, accentuated by large blue eyes.

"Katherine, this is my best friend Audrey," Destiny said.

Audrey kissed me on the cheek and flashed a perfect smile.

"I hope you enjoy the party," she said. Then she turned to Destiny.

"I didn't know you were going to be able to make it."

"When there's a will, there's a way," Destiny said. "I think you should return to the band. They can't go on without you."

Audrey laughed and hurried away with more ease in her stiletto heels than most people in sneakers. Destiny had turned away from the musicians and was scanning the rest of the room.

"Who are you looking for?" I asked. "Why did you bring me here this time? Will's left, you know. There's no point in trying to find him here."

"If you want to see Will, you no longer need me, Katherine," she said, smiling. "I've done my part. At this point, it's up to you."

Before I could say another word, someone called my name. Sam. He left Gabriel talking with someone near one of the windows and was making his way in our direction.

"Poor Sam," Destiny said, shaking her head. "Why can't he learn to accept things the way they are and enjoy?"

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. I'll leave the two of you to talk while I visit with my brother. Sam and I don't mix very well."

"But I still don't understand why you brought me here."

She either didn't hear my words or chose not to address the subject.

"Don't expect answers from her," Sam said after kissing me on the cheek. "How've you been?"

"Not that well—mentally, I mean."

"I'm glad I ran into you," Sam said. "Listen, you have to get out of this place. Go home to New York and don't come back. That's what I've been trying to do, but unsuccessfully. It's not too late for you to return to a normal life. What's so great about these parties anyway? Surrounded by a bunch of bombastic fools who try to convince themselves that this is living..."

"Sam, I want to understand what this is all about. That's what's kept me coming back for more. Before Destiny dragged me back here, I was dead set on leaving first thing in the morning. But, my curiosity is starting to win over."

"You need to leave this party if you hope to have any clear thoughts. C'mon, follow me."

Sam took my hand, and in a matter of minutes, we were down the ladder, across the hall and running blindly through the maze.

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