La Petite Mardi Gras: Part Two
The Crowning of Lily and Jamie Potter
-1-
As I walked across the crowded ballroom, I noticed how polished the wooden floor looked. I could tell somebody had poured out a mint to have the floor waxed and polished. I mean you could comb your hair in the reflection. All eyes turned toward me as I strolled across the floor toward the refreshment table. The Benton orchestra had paused in their playing for a moment. I collected my thoughts as my eyes fell on Ben who was drumming his fingers on a crystal cup of punch.
“Hey.” He said as he eased his cup down and strolled toward me. “Have a good talk with my sister.” He asked as he walked toward me. “I know she can be a bit overbearing at times. So just that, I'm her only brother and I guess she feels she needs to look after me.”
“It's cool.” I said, smiling toward him. “Lily is the same way with me, she likes to look out for me sometimes. Other times she lets me fall down. But yes, it was a nice little talk. We talked about girl stuff.” I said walking toward the punch bowl. Without thinking I picked up the ladle and poured myself a good measure of punch. Slowly I lifted the glass goblet to my lips and took a sip. I frowned, the punch was spiked. We southerners have a proud tradition of spiking the punch at such gatherings. It loosen the tongues.
“So.” Ben said, smiling a little as he moved toward me, he had drained his glass and was on his second one. “Would Ms. Potter honor me with a dance?” He said smiling, he then tossed back the rest of his drink.
I blinked and tossed back the rest of my drink. It was Mardi Gras after all. And with only four hours left till midnight that meant to me at least that pleasure was on life support. And some phantom hand was about to pull the plug on its life support.
“It would be my pleasure Mr. Allen.” I said feeling the spirits going to my head as my cheeks started to fill with color. I eased my glass down upon the table and filled it up again. “But first let me refresh myself.” I said smiling as I filled the fine crystal goblet with a fruity red punch. I took a deep breath and knocked my second or was it my third drink back. Only thing I know is my head started to spin around as I slipped my hand into the awaiting hand of Ben.
The next thing I knew was the whole world was starting to spin around me. The music, oh the music started to fill the air and the orchestra struck up lively tunes as the ladies of the village started to dance with fine gentlemen. Soon the sound of laughter started to fill the air as ladies exchanged mirthless jokes with each other, using their colorful fans to shield their whispering mouths.
As I was twirled around the dance floor, my mind flashed back to long hidden memories. I started to remember that when I was James, I used to take solace in roleplaying on online forums. I belonged to a dozen such roleplaying communities that were based on the popular farming simulation game “Harvest Moon” where I often made female characters. It was fun to escape into a world of pure imagination even for an afternoon. A world where I was a struggling farm girl, who was trying to rebuild a run down farm. One were I had friends, and one were I attended colorful festivals and won wonderful prizes. Or fished, mined, and explored hidden areas.
But then I became Jamie and my life did a complete one eighty. I now had a host of friends who were loyal to me, a loving boyfriend, a loving family and I found myself attending all the colorful festivals and celebrations that our small town hosted throughout the year. I was living my best life. And for a moment all the doubts, depression, and melancholy that had haunted my every step just seemed to vanish.
And so as I was twirled around, I felt myself being swept up in the magic of the moment. The music seemed to swirl around, I found myself swept up and carried away by its enchanting sound. I can't tell you how long Ben and I danced, for time seemed to have no meaning. In fact, I would go as far as to say this, that time seemed to just slip through our hands. Then as quickly as it started it stopped. The music just stopped and a hushed silence fell over the crowded as a tiny man with a shiny bald head stepped into the crowd. He was dressed in a military like uniform, a scarlet jacket, one that had a row of brass buttons running down the middle and two golden epaulets one on each shoulder and form fitting white trousers. Following behind him were a troop of six men, they too wore the same military like uniform only without the golden epaulets.
The group marched toward the far side of the room and then the man with the tiny bald spoke, and when he spoke his voice filled the room and echoed off the walls.
“By royal decree of his lordship, Lord Rex of Benton.” The man started. “I've come to inform ye happy crowds that the following maiden has been chosen to be crowned Queen of Carnival.” He said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a rolled up sheet of parchment. He unrolled the sheet, held it in front of him, cleared his throat and in another loud booming tone of voice called out.
“By royal decree of his lordship, Lord Rex of Benton, and with the approval of the courts of all provinces that fall within his domain. And with the power invested in him by the council of krewe's. Its our pleasure to inform the gathered citizens of Benton that Lily Elizabeth Potter has been named Queen of this Year's Carnival.”
The gathered crows expressed their approval by a loud round of applause. A moment later I saw my sister step out from the crowd. With her back straight back she strolled toward the little man and bowed toward him. The man nodded and made a motion for another man who was dressed in a similar manner to come out. The man held with both hands a velvet pillow. Sitting upon the pillow was a crown of gold. The bald man reached over and took hold of the crown and gently placed it upon my sister's head.
“Behold the queen of the Carnival!” He shouted as he watched Lily rise up. “Now, also by royal decree of her ladyship, Lady Muse of Benton.” The man said again as he reached into his coat and pulled out another sheet of rolled up parchment, “By royal decree of her ladyship, Lady Muse of Benton, and with the approval of the courts of all provinces that fall within her domain. And the power invested in her by the council of krewe's. It's our pleasure to inform ye gathered citizens of Benton that Jamie Sarah Potter has been named Princess of this Year's Carnival!”
I felt my jaw drop open. I looked around and all eyes had turned toward me. I felt my face flush with color as I marched toward the front to join my sister. The bald man made a jester with his hands and another man produced a beautiful rhinestone tiara. The man took the tiara and handed it to Lily.
“As is tradition. The Queen of the Carnival, shall crown the Princess of the Carnival and then both shall select one young gentleman of the village, for the royal dance. This dance shall close Carnival, and usher in the death of pleasure. Midnight is close at hand.” The man proclaimed. “We shall now crown our Carnival King and Prince. Whom shall share the last dance of Carnival with the Queen and the Princess. The King with the Queen and the Prince with the Princess.”
At this moment I can't tell you what I felt, my heart felt light as a feather as I approached the stage and bowed down in front of my sister. Smiling, she reached over and picked up the rhinestone tiara and gently placed it upon my head. This was the second time I'd been crowned princess, the first had been at homecoming a year ago. I still remembered that night, it was one of pure magic and it seemed that tonight would be the same. Once the tiara was placed firmly on my head I stepped aside and stood next to my sister.
“Its with great pleasure, that the council of krewe's supported by Lord Rex of Benton, inform ye gathered crowds that we've seen it fit to name.” He called out. It seemed no paper was required for the naming of the king. Instead the man seemed spouting all of this from the top of his head. “Robert John Shoemaker, King of Carnival!” He shouted at the top of his lungs and once more his loud voice seemed to echo off the walls. A roaring applause filled the room as a young man with short black hair and the prettiest baby blue eyes I've ever seen stepped up and received the crown.
Once the crown had been placed upon his head he stepped back and joined my sister and I. I could tell Lily was enchanted by him because she couldn't take her eyes off of him. In fact, I'll go as far as to say she was mentally undressing him with her eyes. I could only roll my eyes, I rolled my eyes for one reason and one reason only, Lily often scolded me for being something of a boy crazy teenage girl. But here she was, looking like a moonstruck calf in front of the whole town.
“Now, for the Prince of Carnival.” The man said. “Its Its with great esteemed pleasure, that we the council of krewe's support by Lady Muse of Benton, inform ye gathered crowds that we've seen it fit to name.” He paused for dramatic effect. “Benjamin Franklin Allen Prince of Carnival!” He shouted and the crowd burst into a loud applause.
Now it was my turn to look like a moonstruck calf. My eyes fell upon the willow frame of Benjamin as he moved through the crowd. He had the good graces to blush and act bashful, as received the crown and walked up beside me. I took a deep breath and peered toward the heavens. I then breathed a silent prayer, it seemed somebody up there had seen it fit to bless tonight. Because tonight I was living, I was living the harvest moon dream.
“Ladies and gentleman.” The man with the shiny bald head called out once more in his loud booming voice, that once more seemed to fill the whole room and echo off the walls. “Its with great pleasure that we give you the Royal Count of the Carnival.” He said, stepping aside as he pointed toward us four.
“Now as tradition.” He said, taking a deep breath. “The king shall dance with the queen, and the prince with the princess and when their dance ends. Pleasure would have passed sadly into the shadows and we will usher in the season of Lent.”
A moment later the music resumed and Benjamin walked up to me, I smiled and he returned my smile with one of his own. He then held out his hand and I slipped my hand into his and without a second thought he guided me onto the dance floor. For one last day, one last day before the start of Lent. For Pleasure was to die at the stroke of midnight it seemed.
La Petite Mardi Gras: Part Three
A kiss ushers in the season of Lent
The crowds parted like the red sea as Ben ushered me onto the dance floor. The orchestra struck up a gentle waltz and slowly I wrapped my arms around Ben's shoulders as he wrapped his arms gently around my waist. This was the second dance we shared, and memories of our first dance at homecoming started to flood into me as we started to move across the polished floor. The lights started to dim and soon others joined in the dance, the last dance of the season, the last fleeting moments of pleasure before all the church bells in town would toll the death of pleasure and call the faithful to prayer and penance.
“Jamie.” Ben whispered as he held me tight. “It's been fun.” He said as he pulled me closer to him. I found myself turning to jelly in his tight embrace. I could feel every muscle in his arm starting to wrap tightly around me. It was such a warming embrace. It made me blush. It also caused me to crave his touch once more. A powerful desire to take him and hold him and to ride him overcame me. I quickly pushed those thoughts from my head. Not tonight, maybe another night.
“Its only getting started.” I said smiling as pulled my face away from his shoulder. “Valentine's Day just around the corner.” I said with a giggle.
“Of course.” He said smiling as we danced a little. “You know I'm so glad you're here with me right now. I thought I was going to lose you, you know a few months ago. So glad you pulled through, your really strong.” He said as he wrapped his arms tighter around me. Instead of fighting the embrace. I leaned into it. A happy sigh escaped my lips.
“Lets not talk about that.” I said at last. “I want to focus on our future together. That was scary yes, but you never left my side. And that showed me that you really cared about me.” I said choosing my words with care. I'm normally prone to putting my foot in my mouth if you will, but right now, I found myself thinking over my words before I spoke them.
“Okay.” He said smiling as he wrapped his arms a little more tightly around me. “And of course I care about you. You were cherry.” He said in a low whispered tone voice. “You were my first.”
I felt my cheeks flush with color. It was romantic in its own way, and once more memories of that night started to flood into my mind. I don't remember much, just a sense of giggling anticipation as we climbed the ladder to the hayloft and then bliss. Pure bliss, all the colors of the rainbow seemed to swirl around us. All my senses were heightened and every touch seemed to send shockwaves through my body. At the height of it, our very souls seemed to fuse together and become on.
“Hey, you were my first too.” I said giggling a little.
“We should do that again sometimes.” He said, giving me a little smirk that caused me to giggle. I wanted to do it again, I really did, but I was just saving it, saving it for a moment that seemed right. Saving it for the right time. I thought about sweet talking him into tonight, but it seemed off, like I would rushing things. All I wanted was to be held by him, held tight by him.
“Sometimes. But not tonight. Let's just cuddle and kiss tonight.” I said blushing as I stood up on my tip of my toes to plant a kiss on his lips. Ben then leaned down and a moment later our lips touched and interlocked. And then the real fireworks started.
Colors bloomed before my eyes, sparks of passion ran through my body, my body seemed to become ridged and still and my breathing shallow as we locked lips and kissed. It was the kind of kiss you see all to often in teen movies, the kind of kiss that takes your breath away and leaves you wanting more, yes the kind of kiss that leaves you wanting more, the kind of kiss that makes you forget about yourself for a moment, the kind of kiss that makes you want to dive head first into a sea of lust.
It was the kind of kiss that made me want to pull that dress over my head, drop my bra, lower my panties and mount that boy and ride him long and hard. Thankfully we were in a crowded ballroom, because I'm sure if we'd been along I'd given into that powerful temptation. Lust is one hell of a drug I tell you what my friends.
“GET A ROOM YOU TOO!” Two voices cried in unison. “JAMIE SARAH POTTER,” The first voice cried out in a loud booming tone that echoed across the room. “BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ALLEN!” The second voice cried out. And well that stopped our kissing cold.
A moment later, Ben and I pulled apart and both of us started to blush as all eyes had focused on us. A good number of old church ladies were whispering behind paper fans. No doubt shocked beyond belief at the loose display of morals being displayed in front of the. The sight of the ladies whispering behind their paper fans caused me to blush, my blush only deepened when Lily and Joan came rushing up to us. It seemed it had been those two who had called our names out.
“What in the world!” Bellowed Lily. “Jamie, mom raised you better than that!” Lily scolded. “A kiss is one thing, but you were eating that poor boy's face. I heard you groaning and moaning all across the room. Mercy girl, have a little self control.”
“And you Benjamin Franklin Allen.” Joan chimed in. “You were eating the poor girl's face. I mean Jamie has to breathe too! And you were groaning and moaning up a storm. Jesus, get a room for you two.” Joan said with a roll of her eyes. “On second thought, don't get a room, there is a broom closet right over there.” She said hitching up her arm and pointing with her small index finger toward a small closet that was tucked into the corner of the room.
“Joan!” Lily said with a sigh. “Don't give my little sister any ideas..”
“That's the problem.” Joan said with a smirk. “She is your little sister, and the apple never falls far from the tree. You forget that your dad and my dad are best friends. And I've heard plenty of stories about the stunts your dad and his brother got up to growing up.” Still smirking, Joan peered toward Lily with a look that made my blood run cold. “And I've been your friend since middle school too, I know a thing or two about you.” She added.
“OKAY!” Lily hooted as turned around and folded her arms across her chest. “That's enough! Jamie Sarah Potter, I expect a little more self control from you in the future young lady.” She said, turning her head around and peering over her shoulder. “One more stunt like that, and I can promise you, I will turn you over my knee, flip your dress and petticoat and tan that bottom of yours. And don't pout, I'm your older sister, I have that right.” Lily threatened as she started to stalk away.
“And Benjamin Franklin Allen.” Joan said as she peered toward Ben. “Try to control yourself too. And remember, you gotta give Jamie a chance to breathe. Just have fun, and have a good time. But don't get too carried away. And if you get carried away, please guys, go somewhere private.” And with that Joan floated away.
In the aftermath of that little outburst, Ben and I could do nothing but stand there. I felt totally embarrassed both for letting my emotions get the best of me and for getting called out like that by my older sister. Ben on the other hand seemed prideful and wore a smirk on his face. Slowly he turned around and winked at me before saying.
“So, round two in the broom closet?” He said in a teasing tone of voice. “Or want to get some sweet revenge and go hog wild in Joan's bed?” He suggested with a wicked grin upon his face.
I had to blink at that, part of wanting to know what in the world was going through that boy's head at this very moment. First he was suggesting a broom closet and now he was suggesting that he and I do the deed in his big sisters bed, in her bedroom. I mean I have a twisted sense of humor too. But lord have mercy, Joan would have a running duck fit if she found out. Heck she might even burn her sheets if we got too wild. I'm not going to lie a wicked little smile formed upon my lips as the mental image of Joan raging her little head off as she stripped her sheets and tossed them into a furnace entered into my head.
And yes, that little devil girl that normally sits on the right side of my shoulder started whispering sweet words of encouragement. The angel that normally sits on the left side of my shoulder started to scold me and lecture, saying that I should be ashamed of myself for even entertaining such ideas. In the end the voice of that little white robed angel won out and silenced the devil. Its a shame too, sometimes that little sexy clad devil Jamie has some really fun and neat ideas. Maybe I should start taking note of what she says instead of the white robed Jamie with the flickering halo above her head.
“Maybe another time. Besides, I don't want to get in trouble with my future sister-in-law yet.” I said, sighing. “Maybe we could do that on prom night or something.” I suggested.
“Well. How about this.” Ben said, still smirking. “Since we can't kiss here on the ballroom floor. Why don't you follow me upstairs? There are a number of balconies up stairs, we can see all of Benton from up there. And it would be romantic. I can't think of a better way to usher in the start of Lent than kissing you once more under the starry heavens.” Ben said as he leaned over and whispered those words into my ears. They made me shiver. The idea was so romantic that before I could help myself. I started to blush.
“That sounds fun.” I said blushing as I leaned in. “But I want to kiss you once more here.” And with that we kissed. I'm not sure how long we kissed, but all around us others were kissing too. Even Lily and Joan. Then it happened, the big brass bells of All Saints Catholic Church started to ring and soon the brass bells of St. Mary's Episcopal Church joined in. And before long all the church bells started to chime. The party was over, Carnival was over, now the season of Lent had begun.
“A kiss ushers in Lent.” Ben said, smiling as he peered down at me. “Ms. Potter, one day, I promise you, I'll make you Mrs. Allen.” He said with the most handsome of smiles. Looking at that smile made my heart jump into my throat and caused me to feel choked. It only lasted a moment though.
“Jamie Sarah Allen.” I said, smiling sweetly. “I like the sound of that. Just don't make me wait too long.” And with that another chapter in my life comes to an end. It seemed I was keeping my word after all. I was doing my best to give Jamie the best possible life she could ever have. A life that was totally different from the life James had lived. And yet a small part of me had to wonder, where would my life have been if I'd never discovered Jamie? I guess something will remain a mystery forever.
But stick around, there is more to come.