Feeling happily attractive and ready to declare it, they came up with a plan. Actually it was first Livia's idea. She had always been happy to be in the camera eye, and she wanted a portrait to commemorate this new stage in her life. However, the camera eye had an unfortunate tendency to render them as lifeless wax dolls. This would never do. They needed an artist's eye.
''If we're going through THAT much trouble, why not make it a FAMILY PORTRAIT?'' Golden suggested. ''And while we're at it, let's get festive clothing for the occasion!'' Gwen further ventured. ''Oh, do! Let's!'' Livia's fierce eyes sparkled.
So off they were. The ladies took quiet delight in new clothes, compared to Michael and Golden's great excitement. They ran all over the formal shop, trying this and that on, looking in the mirrors, appraising the effects.
When Micheal saw the maroon tapestry jacket, with the black satin lapels, he kept trying each size until he found the perfect fit, a 37 short. He posed before a mirror, and smiled at himself, ''I like this! I am such a proud peacock!''
Despite his preening, he noticed the coat had an unusual smell, owing to its man-made polyester fabric. Cotton fibers have no such odor. Still, Michael smiled at his new-found fussiness, and thought, ''It beats the acrid evildoer stench I've endured for years.'' No matter how many times he'd washed those used garments, the nasty smell of the nasty human that had sweated in them would not leave. And then he smiled again at his reflection, even jutting his chest out a little.
Meanwhile, Golden, in a ruffly and lacy poet's blouse, twirled round and round, singing, ''I feel pretty, oh so pretty . . .'' The actress who played Maria in West Side Story didn't swirl or sing any better. The amused store clerk, who watched his whole performance, thought so, too.
All he'd ever worn were baggy sweats. ''Oh, and that horrid suit for graduation . . .'' The navy pinstriped monstrousity did not flatter him at all. Golden chose a cobalt blue tapestry vest, with rounded black satin lapels, similar to the lapels of Michael's coat. The size wasn't similar, though. He needed a 52 long to encompass his tall girth.
Still, Golden smiled broadly at his mirror reflection. Fortunately, the clerk was in the right angle to not notice his revelation of fang teeth.
For their family portrait, done by an understanding artist, he'd not worry about such things, either. He finally had reason to smile, and he was going to smile, unrestrained in exuberant joy.
Golden was not the only one who joyfully displayed fang teeth for the portrait. Livia's teeth were also clearly visible, as well as a rather fierce look in her eye. Michael looked lovingly at his new family, meeting Gwen's eyes, who returned the gaze with a gentle triumph. The artist captured all of that, so they didn't mind that some of the proportions were a little off. They'd display the portrait proudly on a wide wall in their apartment.
go to Chapter Twenty-Two, Darkening Shadows
return to Chapter Outline