Monarchy of Roses

Chapter 3

Nika stood in front of the mirror in the guest room and watched her reflection in the mirror as she played some scales on her clarinet. Her slim fingers manipulated the keys over the holes and she blew into the mouthpiece, the reed vibrating with every blow. The familiar feels of the dense black wood under fingers soothed her nerves as she finished the practice scales and played All the Things You Are.

"Zoe did the same thing whenever she was feeling anxious", said Maria as she entered the room.

"It's better than biting my nails or smoking", she quipped.

"Is something bothering you, Nikasha?", she asked kindly.

Nika sighed as her fingertips manipulated the keys on her clarinet. "Sort of. I don't want to lose control and I'm not sure what Dad would think", said Nika with a sardonic smile.

"Let me guess, you fancy a boy. There's nothing wrong with that, Nikasha. You are a beautiful young woman and you ought to have a boyfriend", chided Maria.

"Boys are a distraction, after I finish my BA I'm going to work on my Masters. I must keep up the Lacroix family tradition", Nika protested.

Maria just shook her head. "Nika, that's exactly what Zoe said, then she slept with your father and fell pregnant. I'd want you to have a boyfriend, then I can be a great-grandmother", said Maria with a smile.

Nika blushed guiltily as her cheeks turned bright pink. "There is a guy I like, but I'm concerned about Dad", she whispered.

"Is he a college boy?", asked Maria.

"No, he's Josh. He's Dad's friend and musical collaborator, they did some albums together. He's at the house a lot, working with Dad or hanging out. Since I'm living in the dorms, I haven't seen him in a long while but he was at the house last Saturday and while I was there and he looked so hot. Dad and him are so close, and I'm afraid Josh will think I'm still a kid. He's known me since I came to live with Dad when I was ten", said Nika ruefully.

"Why would he? Is he that old?", asked Maria.

"No, he's only thirty but I'm nineteen. And he's a nice guy, and very talented. Him and Dad have written great songs together", said Nika.

Maria chuckled at her granddaughter's pink cheeks and sparkling eyes, the purple highlights in the dark blue orbs glowing. "Ah, a musician. Is he handsome?", she teased.

Nika blushed an even deeper shade of pink as she set aside her clarinet and took out her phone, searching Google and showing her grandmother a picture. "He is very good-looking, but he needs a haircut and he's skinny", she replied.

"I like his hair, it gets all in his face when he's playing. And he's just thin, Dad says when they go out for dinner Josh eats a lot", said Nika with a laugh.

"It's good to see you acting like a woman your age. When you go back to Los Angeles, you ought to ask Josh out", teased Maria.

"Grandmere!", she exclaimed.

"I am 66 years old, I want to see my oldest granddaughter have a boyfriend and perhaps give me great-grandchildren. Zoe only had that little affair with John and never had another relationship. She seemed happy with her work, but one never knew with Zoe", said Maria with a sigh.

"Mom was very reserved, I'm not the most outgoing person either. I just don't want to get Dad upset, it's been him and I for the last ten years", said Nika.

"And John ought to find someone, it's just the two of you in that big house", said Maria.

"Dad is celibate, he acted the role of the crazy rock star as a young man and got addicted to drugs. He lives for music, Grandmere. I don't think any woman can compete", said Nika ruefully.

"You never know, now help me in the kitchen", said Maria.

Downstairs the speakers still played Charlie Parker as John told Pierre about the new album. "I'm really proud of the new album, Josh is an amazing guitarist and musician. He's always coming up with different ideas for songs, sometimes completely different ones than something I would have done. We just have an amazing musical chemistry", said John.

"Excellent, even if your music is not to my taste. Perhaps my grandchildren would like it, I stopped listening to current music in the 50's after bebop mutated in that free jazz nonsense", said Pierre.

"Great-Uncle Jack is still driving you crazy with Coltrane", teased Nika.

"Yes, nothing but honking and squawking. I prefer my music to have a point, not just go on endlessly with so much honking and squawking", said Pierre dismissively.

"You and Flea can talk about jazz for hours, he's a bebop lover himself. Perhaps next time I'll bring him over and you can nerd out about jazz", teased John.

"One day, perhaps if I feel well enough to come to Los Angeles. He is a fine young man, but I still cannot believe a grown man answers to Flea", said Pierre with a chuckle.

"Yeah, I think only his mom and his wife call him Michael. And you did like the last show at Staples Center", said John.

"Yes, I was expecting something dreadfully loud like the rock music most of my grandchildren like. You really ought to play more ballads", said Pierre.

"Um, okay. Actually, this is going to be my last tour with the band. Josh is joining us on the next leg and he's coming with us for our Far East and Antipodean tour in December. Nika, you could join us since your semester will be over by then", said John.

Nika was outwardly calm but inside she felt giddy as a schoolgirl squealing at an NSYNC concert. "Um, all right. Are Clara and Sunny coming along?", she asked.

"Clara is coming, Sunny is too young. It'll be fun for you girls, you work so hard", said John.

"How lovely, too bad we're too old for that sort of trip. We just talk with Jack and Tessa on Skype", said Maria.

"I know, but we're not getting any younger", teased Pierre.

"Of course please talk with Tessa and Jack", said Maria as she led Nika towards the kitchen. 

"This is an opportunity to finally be with your young man", teased Maria as Nika helped her get the pot and knives.

"Grandmere, this is only a short tour. Not a holiday", she protested.

"A lot can happen in two weeks. You do know that Jack and Tessa got married after two months of knowing each other", said Maria.

"But people were more mature back then", she protested.

"That was another problem with Zoe, she was always so reluctant to do anything silly or impulsive. She never learned to follow her heart and do something for fun, she died unfulfilled. You are a beautiful, intelligent young woman, Nika Sophia Lacroix. I want you go to on tour with the band and try to have a relationship with Josh", said Maria.

"But my studies....", she stammered.

"The school term ends in December, just as they go on tour. You really ought to travel more and date boys and just have fun, like girls your age", said Maria.

"Boys and parties are a distraction", Nika replied.

"Only if you let them be, Nikasha. If you don't let yourself have fun in the little things, you'll lose control over the big things", said Maria as she began to chop up vegetables.