Dana sat on her bed staring out her window. As far as she could see there were nothing but trees. Not normal trees like everyone else, but lemon trees. At one time she had though that to be a good thing, but now she hated the uniqueness of the land.
Dana sighed as the sound of her brother's harmonica floated up to her. It sounded like love and laughter and reminded Dana of how things were before.
Before was a place filled with lights and scarves. Before were Dana and her mother making dresses and dancing to music played by angels. Before was a family with a mother and not just a father. Before was joy.
Dana waited for her brother's song to end before getting up and going downstairs. Her father sat at the table drinking hazelnut coffee and eating toast. Dana's brother came in as Dana was finishing her apple. The three ate in a silence that was broken only by Dana's feeble attempt at conversation.
"Dad, can Scott and I go to the market to sell fruit this time?" She paused. "You know, like we used to."
Scott looked sharply at Dane, but her father didn't even seem to hear the question.
Instead of going to school Dana decided to go to the record store and visit Camille. Camille was old and gray, but was wiser then anyone Dana knew. Besides she also made great lemon squares. The record store was about a mile away and was the only store that had pink and blue curtains hanging from the outside windows. It was the only place Dana loved in the town.
"Dana," called out Emily, the girl who sat at the desk. Her hair was fire red and today was braided into tiny braids and wrapped up into a silver scarf. "Camille said you would be by today. Go on back she's expecting you."
With that Emily waved her off with her silver dragon nails and went back to her book. Dana walked past all the records and through the Moroccan beads that hung over the entrance leading to Camille's apartment."
"Camille," she whispered. No matter how many times she went into the apartment she never felt quite comfortable in the hallway.
Dana continued walking, looking into rooms until she saw Camille pouring drinks in what she called her lounging room.
"Come in Dana, I've been expecting you," Camille set the pitcher down and sat on one of the large purple chintzy chairs. She gestured for Dana to sit down in the other one.
"How do you always know when I'm going to come?" Dana asked as she sat down.
"I just know, drink your lemonade then we'll talk," Camille leaned back and fixed her gray hair.
Camille was a small woman with her gray hair in a bun and wrinkled on her face. She had glasses with a jade chain but even they did not diminish the sparkle in her blue eyes. She wore robes made of silk, gold rose patterns intertwined with dragons, kimonos from far away.
"I made chocolate cake today instead of squares. I hope that's all right,"
Dana nodded the lemonade was too much lemon for lemon squares as well, besides Camille made great chocolate cake.
"Dana you've changed so much," Camille sighed. "Look at those clothes."
Dana looked at her black jeans, they were nice. Her black T-shirt wasn't tight or low cut and her boots were comfortable with only a two-inch heel.
"What's wrong with them?"
"They're so dark," Camille cut another slice of cake. "You always wore colors and long flowing skirts. What happened to you?"
"Well," Dana took the slice of cake offered to her. "I grew up, graduated and am at a new school."
"No, it's not that," Camille tilted he head so she looked like her parrot Jimminy did when he inspected a new person. "Just because your mom is gone doesn't mean you have to stop living."
"I have to go now," Dana stood and pushed her plate away. "Thanks for the lemonade and cake Camille. See you around."
Dana walked out the door ignoring Camille and Emily's calls. She walked out of town in the opposite direction of her house. She walked past her schoolyard, paying no attention to the cry of her sole friend Chris. Dana walked into the forest heading toward the lake. When she got to the lake she sat down and cried.
Dana cried until she was empty and there was not enough water in her to form even one more tear. So she fell asleep. As she slept she was attacked by nightmares. Nightmares that caused her to toss and turn until she reached the rim of the lake. Then continue rolling into the crystal blue.