Gabrielle Demonico (37 page)

Anabelle imagined that most humans would be terrified of their tigers. Hell, the way
that Armin had made his entrance had certainly scared her – even now it didn’t seem completely real. But it was real,
they
were real, and it was as if the magical world she’d always dreamed to inhabit really did exist. Anabelle had always been a lover of fantasy as a child but over time, life and circumstance had forced her to put away those childish thoughts.

But they
’d given new life to them and a new energy to her soul. She wanted to run in their rooms, kiss each of them and tell them how truly grateful she was.

But which one first…
?

They seemed perfectly fine with sharing their affections toward her but for Anabelle it was something completely new. She
’d never considered being
shared
by two men, especially ones like this. She pulled the sheet up close to her chin and tried to get accustomed to the thought of it.

That would have to suffice
–
for now…

***

When Anabelle woke up, she looked around and for a moment, had completely forgotten where she was.

“
Hello?” she called out. “Armin… Tanner…?”

Suddenly, a female voice yelled back to her from down the hallway. “
Hello? Anabelle? Are you up?”

She immediately recognized the voice as that of the band
’s road manager, Cassie.

“
Cassie?” she called out.

Anabelle could hear her footsteps coming towards her down the hallway. After a moment, Cassie craned her neck around the corner. “
Hey you!” she exclaimed. “Awake at last I see…”

Anabelle stretched and said, “
Yeah. What time is it anyway?”

“
A little past five in the afternoon.” Cassie said.

“
Jesus! I’ve been asleep for nearly twelve hours!” Anabelle replied.

Cassie laughed and said, “
Well, you must be well rested then. How are you by the way? I heard you guys had a late night last night…” she said.

“
We did, yeah… It was pretty crazy. Did they tell you everything that happened?” Anabelle asked.

“
Only that they’d gotten split up with you backstage at the show and that they had a hard time finding you later. You know, because you didn’t have your cell phone or anything…” she said.

Phew! They hadn
’t told her… everything.

“
Right…” Anabelle lied. “It all worked out though. Are they around?”

“
No, they had to get down to the venue… You know, sound checks… stuff like that. We’ll head down a little later.” Cassie said. “Are you hungry? Would you like to order some room service?”

“
I’m freaking starving…” Anabelle replied. She then located the room service menu and placed her order.

Anabelle really found Cassie
’s company to be very pleasant. She was someone that she could see herself becoming close friends with quite easily. They sat and chit chatted until Anabelle’s food arrived about thirty minutes later. Anabelle ate and as she did, Cassie texted on her cell phone. After swallowing a bite of her food, Anabelle said, “Cassie?”

“
Hmm?” Cassie replied.

“
Last night, when you hugged me and told me happy you were for me, what did you mean?” Anabelle asked.

Cassie placed her phone down on the table and said, “
Uhhm, I’ve been with the guys since… well, since the beginning really. There’s a lot of things, most actually, that are said about them that just
aren’t true
. I’ve seen women come and go with them. That’s certainly not a big deal, it’s just the way it is for guys like that. But, as soon as they’d met you, I heard all about it.”

“
Really?” Anabelle asked.

“
Yeah. And for them to talk about
any woman
to me is rare, like it has literally
never
happened.” She said.

Nervously, Anabelle then asked, “
And the fact that
both of them
said they were interested… That’s not weird to you or anything?”

Cassie laughed. “
No, not at all. I’m sure it goes without saying that there are plenty of women that would love to have a
problem
like that, Anabelle.”

Anabelle smiled softly.

“Listen, Anabelle, they’re great guys. I’m a very good judge of character and I can tell that you are a wonderful person as well. That’s why I said what I said to you. I meant it then and I mean it now.” She said.

“
That’s very kind of you Cassie. Thank you.” Anabelle replied.

“
You’re welcome.” Cassie said. After a brief pause she said, “Hey, listen… After you are done eating, why don’t you grab a shower and we’ll head down to the venue? There’s someone there that I think you are going to want to meet…”

“
Who is it?” Anabelle asked.

“
Ah, ah! It’s a surprise…” Cassie said.

“
Oh, come on.” Anabelle pouted. “Just give me a hint.”

“
Nope. Not gonna happen…” she said.

“
Grrrr…
Okay
.” Anabelle said.

And so, after Anabelle had finished her meal and showered, she and Cassie headed down to the show. Upon arrival, the
first thing that Anabelle noticed was that the crowd was decidedly younger as in, lots and lots of children.

As they walked from the limousine, Anabelle nudged Cassie and said, “
Why are there so many kids here?”

Cassie stopped and looked at her. “
I thought they told you… It’s a benefit concert, for the orphanages?”

“
Oh my gosh, yes…” Anabelle said as she raised her hand to her mouth. She’d completely forgotten about it and pretty much felt like a complete idiot.

“
Speaking of that,” Cassie said, “Wait right here for a second.”

“
Okay.” Anabelle replied. As she watched Cassie walk off, she looked at the children milling about. Anabelle was all too aware of their plight and the struggles that lie ahead for them in life. She only wished that she could find a way to give back like Armin and Tanner had. Of course, they’d been lucky enough to have a man like Professor Wilkinson in their life. She hadn’t, and she knew that most of the kids here wouldn’t either. As she waited, she wondered how differently the Vossler brothers might have turned out if it wasn’t for the Professor…

Suddenly from behind, she heard Cassie
’s voice call out, “Anabelle!”

She turned back towards her and as she did, her eyes boggled when she saw who Cassie was walking alongside.

“Professor!” Anabelle squealed. She ran over and gave him a huge hug.

“
Goodness!” he exclaimed as Anabelle collided with him. “The last time we spoke you were so angry with me… a
hug
is the last thing I would have expected!”

Anabelle pulled back from him and said, “
I’m sorry… I am just excited to see someone I know for a change.”

He smiled and said, “
Well, I am certainly glad to hear that. By the way, how’s that interview coming?”

Anabelle grinned sheepishly and replied, “
Good, I’ve made a lot of progress in the past few days.”

“
Mmm, hmmm…” he said skeptically.

As they spoke, Cassie
’s phone started to vibrate. She looked down at it and said, “Guys, I have to run for a few minutes. I’ll be back a little later. I’ll find you after the show.”

They both nodded and she took off t
o put out another fire somewhere.

After she disappeared from view, Anabelle said, “
Professor, what are you doing here?”

“
Well, as I’m sure you know by now, I have a history with Armin and Tanner. For that matter, my wife and I have a long history with all of the orphanages in the area. You see Anabelle, we were never able to have any children of our own and one can only own so many dogs and cats and birds in life. Although we weren’t blessed with kids, we were blessed with economic means and so, we spent a good deal of the time that we lived here fostering kids.”

“
That’s… amazing. I had no idea.” She said.

“
No, we don’t talk about it. That’s not why we did it. We love all of the kids we fostered but Armin and Tanner, they were
special
.” He said.

“
What do you mean?” she asked.

He paused for moment and then said, “
Actually Anabelle, that’s why I’m here. I need to speak with you about them… in
private
.”

She had no idea what this could be about but she knew the Professor to be a man that chose his words carefully. He obviously had something important to tell her about them and the fact that he needed to do it privately made her…
nervous… to say the least.

“
Okay…” Anabelle said somewhat reluctantly.

***

They walked in silence for most of the next few minutes, only idle small talk occasionally filled the air. It was an awkward shift in tone from the friendly conversation they’d had only minutes ago. The concert was being held at an outdoor venue. Not too far away was a park that ran alongside the Clackamas River. Professor Wilkinson spotted an unused bench about fifty yards from where they walked.

“
How about that bench? Look good?” he asked.

Anab
elle nodded and said, “Sure.”

They arrived at the bench and sat down. “
I love the view from here. It’s so relaxing. Wouldn’t you agree, Anabelle?”

She nodded. “
Yes, it’s really pretty.” But, there was more to the area than just beauty. Anabelle couldn’t explain it but something was very familiar to her about the whole place.

After taking in the scenery for a few more seconds, Professor Wilkinson turned towards her and said, “
Anabelle, I’m not really sure how to begin this discussion with you so I will just get right into it.”

“
Okay.” She said.

“
I have spoken to Armin and Tanner. They told me that you’ve seen their tigers. Is that the case?” He said.

“
Yes. I have. Well, only Armin’s so far.” She replied.

“
Alright. Now, and this may be a bit uncomfortable for you to answer… But, they also told me that you’ve kissed them both. Is that true as well?” he asked.

Anabelle hesitated for a moment and replied, “
Professor… I…”

He cut her off mid-sentence. “
Anabelle, there is no time to waste. Please answer the question…” he said firmly.

“
Yes, I did kiss them… both of them, actually.” She said.

“
And… anything else?” he asked.

“
Nothing else Professor, just kissing.” She said.

“
Good… good. Very well then, we may still have enough time.” He replied.

Confused, Anabelle replied, “
Time? Time for what?”

“
To save your life…” he replied.

Anabelle was so caught off guard that she laughed and said, “
Professor, I have already seen Armin’s tiger. I feel completely safe and protected when I am with it. It would never hurt me.”

“
I know.” He said. “It’s not Armin’s tiger I am concerned about Anabelle.”

“
I’m confused then… do you mean Tanner?” She asked.

“
No, Anabelle. I’m not concerned about either one of
them
.”

“
Well, if not them, then… who?” She asked.

“
You
, Anabelle.” He said.

Baffled, she replied, “
Professor, what in the world are you talking about?”

“
Give me your hands, Anabelle.” He said.

She placed her hands in his and he clasped them gently between his fingers. He then looked at her and said, “
What I am going to tell you may seem crazy to you but you have to promise me that you will give me your full attention. I can assure that it is in your best interest to do so. Will you promise me that?”

“
Yes, of course…” she said. “But, Professor, I’d be lying if I said you were starting to scare me right now.”

He replied, “
Being a little afraid is not a bad thing right now Anabelle. Sometimes fear can be your best ally. It focuses your attention on what you must do to survive. Do not run from your fear. Sit with it, listen to it just as you listen to me.”