The Visitor Chapter 1

Sera came to the party, invited by her dear friend Janie, but didn't quite know what to do. Not having many experiences with parties. She had the look of a 'babe in the woods' or 'a deer caught in the headlights'. She was new in town, coming from a place far, far away. She was a peculiar woman that not many people knew anything about except Janie, and she didn't know all that much. Sera had child-bearing hips, blonde curls like Aphrodite and lips like Nefertiti. She attracted mature men. But she was not interested. She was focused on the flora of the home that was decorated so beautifully. And the critters for whom the hosts shared their abode with. They had three dogs and two cats. The cats would not leave Sera alone. They saw her as a kindred spirit, the dogs were leery of her but did not bark. They just kept an eye on her, as if she was going to explode into another animal. But Sera learned quick by observing others and followed suit. She eventually made the rounds and caught up with the hostess.

“Are you having a good time?” she asked.

”Yes, wonderful, I love your home.” Sera said

.”Thank you, we do too.” She said.“And who'd you come with?” she asked.'

“I came with Janie, I'm sorry I haven't been to many parties.” Sera said.

“That's alright, just make yourself at home.” the hostess said,”And my name is Sohpie.”

“Thank you, Sophie.” Sera said.

Sera found the white baby grand piano that she saw when she entered the foyer upon arriving, and sat down to play. She started playing Shostakovich's symphony #5. She only meant to hear if the piano was in tune. It was and she got carried away. People from the party heard the haunting tune and went to see whom was playing. Sera was consumed with the music and didn't even notice. She had her head down and hands pushing down on the keys like she was part of the instrument. The crowd gathered in the doorway, with their Bloody Mary's, Martini's and Whiskey Sour's. The crowd leaned on each other, intoxicated by the notes emanating from the thick cords inside the piano. And intoxicated by their drinks. They were holding each other up, saving one another from the humiliating feat of falling down. But Sera was sober as a monk, getting drunk off flowing music she was creating. The crowd applauded when she was finished, everyone was there except for Sophie who was trying to clean up as the party went on, and a few new couples that were getting acquainted with the aid of Champagne.

The party went long into the night and whispers started going around that Sera was eccentric. Fueled, no doubt, by Janie's drunken lips. A small group of people were taking turns talking to her, each time prying a little deeper, then reporting back to the group with their information. Sera's naivete protected her from the pain of realizing what was going on. And her naivete kept her disengaged from the group. She was riding home with Janie, to her boyfriend Bob's house and was growing tired of the party.

“Are you OK?” a tipsy Janie asked.

“Yeah, just getting tired.” Sera replied.

“We won't be much longer.” Janie said, fighting not to slur her words.

“That's fine.” the ever gracious Sera said

After Janie walked away, Sophie approached Sera.

“You really tickle the ivories nicely.” Sophie said. Sera looked puzzled. “You play piano fantastically. Look, I overheard you telling Janie you were tired, we have a room upstairs where you can lay down, if you like.” a gracious Sophie said.

“Yes, I would like that.” Sera replied.

“Follow me.” said Sophie, abandoning the party for a minute.

“I studied piano since I was 7 years old and I cannot play Shostakovich like that, you'll have to show me sometime.” Sophie said as they mounted the arched stairwell going to the second of three floors in the house. They gabbed about music while walking Sera to the room.

“This is it.” Sophie said, “Like I said before, make yourself at home. There's a bathroom over there.” Sophie pointed to the far corner of the large room. “And use the covers if you want, we have a housekeeper.”

Sera woke the next morning still in Sophie's bed. She didn't know what happened to Janie. Just as she woke up Sophie entered the bedroom with a breakfast tray