A Legacy of Hope: Chapter 1

Slide 1: 

In the prologue, Maria Hope Mendez told the story of her rough childhood. She had just bought her own small island for herself and her future family, and planned to found her own legacy.

Slide 2: 

I was pleased to discover that even in my tiny island the mail and paper got delivered at the front door. Well, I didn’t exactly have a front door. Islands are expensive, and I’d barely had enough money left for the bare necessities.

Slide 3: 

Apparently a few people travelled here from the mainland, too. I met a charming young man, named Kennedy Cox.

Slide 4: 

OK, so maybe he wasn’t that charming. He pulled the lamest prank ever, but I was more annoyed at myself for falling. Kennedy got lucky that I had already called a cab to take me to the mainland. I might not get along with Lydia, but I’ve still got that Donovan temper.

Slide 5: 

I needed to find someone to help me get this legacy going, and I had decided to check out some places downtown. I was looking for some hot redhead, and I wouldn’t settle for less. “Lulu’s Lounge,” I told the driver, reading from a list that I had found online.

Slide 6: 

“Whoa, babe, nice caboose!” whistled someone behind me. Ick, I hated it when they did that. “Look me up, the name’s Mayhew LeTor--” Whatever he had been saying was cut off by the slam of the door in his face.

Slide 7: 

I ordered a drink, and considered letting the bartender be my cofounder.

Slide 8: 

I decided against it. He was a redhead, but he didn’t quite fit in the “hot” category.

Slide 9: 

He did let me juggle with his glasses, though!

Slide 10: 

He was pretty mad when I dropped one, so I wandered out and saw the dance sphere. I loved these! I ran up and got in position.

Slide 11: 

I hadn’t been on one in a while, and it showed. The guy who had been whining about me hogging the sphere stopped yelling at gaped. Blushing furiously, I scrambled to my feet and pulled my skirt as far down as it would go.

Slide 12: 

I forgot my supreme humiliation when I reached the dance floor. This was my favorite song! I started smustling.

Slide 13: 

My friends, the few that I had, always joked about my “fashion radar”. I guess they were right, because I knew there was a fashion disaster right behind me.

Slide 14: 

“Hey, there, princess!” He was dressed in a cowboy shirt and plaid shorts. I offered a polite smile and tried to be discreet while I ran away.

Slide 15: 

I wandered around the lounge, and eventually found a hottub. Luckily I had brought my swim suit. I changed and climbed in. Too late, I realized that the Mayhew dude was in, too. And he was naked.

Slide 16: 

I arrived at home feeling dejected. I’d had fun, but the only people I had seen were either women or black-haired men. The only redhead I had seen was the bartender, and he wasn’t quite easy on the eyes.

Slide 17: 

I was very annoyed to find Kennedy still there, and eating my food. I didn’t have that much to start with, and who knows how much he ate while I was gone. After I got him to leave, I took a quick nap.

Slide 18: 

I was woken by someone hollering. I don’t usually use the term “holler” but that’s exactly what the girl was doing. She quieted when she saw me approach, still in my pajamas. “Hey there! You must be the new girl! Maria Hope Mendez, I believe?” She paused for a breath as I nodded, but before I could open my mouth she continued. “My name is Maenad, but you can call me Mae!”

Slide 19: 

“Nice to mee--” I began but the barefoot girl hadn’t stopped yet. “It’s so nice to have a neighbor! I live on the island, too, over there!” she gestured wildly over her shoulder. Hands on hips, I narrowed my eyes at Mae. “That can’t be, I was told this island is uninhabited.” “Oh, it is!” cried Mae, beaming. “But you live here.” “Yep!”

Slide 20: 

It’s very hard to be upset with someone who ends every sentence with an exclamation mark. I sighed in resignation. Mae was still babbling about something, waving her arms around. I waited for her to take a breath before speaking.

Slide 21: 

“So, Mae, how did you end up on this little island?” She laughed heartily, “It’s kind of a funny story! See, my parents were shipwrecked, and they never found a way to get off the island!”

Slide 22: 

“That wasn’t really a funny story, Mae.” She considered this. “Hmm, I guess not! But that doesn’t matter!”

Slide 23: 

“I hear you’re starting a legacy!” She leaned closer to me. “Is it true?” Talk about a quick change of subject. “Where’d you hear that?” “Oh, word gets around quickly on this little island!” “But I haven’t told anyone...”

Slide 24: 

“So it’s true?” the girl beamed. “Did you find a husband yet?” I felt like I was admitting defeat. “No. I went hunting this morning, at the mainland, but I didn’t find anyone remotely acceptable.”

Slide 25: 

Mae clapped her hands together in glee. “This is gonna be so fun!” Her joy was contagious. “Do you know any good places to find guys?” “Why don’t you try the local gypsy matchmaker? I know her!”

Slide 26: 

“Oh, I was going to avoid the matchmaker,” the smile disappeared from my face. “Maria Hope Mendez,” Mae’s voice took on that patronizing tone that I hated. “Somehow I doubt that you’ll find your dream man at the places you’re looking.” “I’ll take my chances,” I answered somewhat haughtily. Mae gave me the gypsy’s number and left.

Slide 27: 

I wondered if I had hurt Mae too badly with that last snippy comment, but I quickly forgot about it as I attempted to make myself lunch. As much as I had hated living in Lydia’s house, I had to admit that it was a good way to live. Servants had waited on me hand and foot, and I had never made any kind of food in my life.

Slide 28: 

I managed to prepare a half-decent sandwich, which was tasty but not quite what I was used to. With Lydia, every meal consisted of a few dozen courses, and even a ‘light snack’ was turned into a gourmet meal.

Slide 29: 

I finished my sandwich and called up the taxi. I pulled the list out of my pocket. Where next? “The Hub.”

Slide 30: 

The Hub wasn’t really as spectacular as it claimed to be. It’s couches were bouncy enough.

Slide 31: 

It also had a few dartboards.

Slide 32: 

There weren’t really that many people. I did see Kennedy Cox again. Could he be stalking me? Had he developed some secret crush? I finally decided against it.

Slide 33: 

I checked out a gaming place next door, but it was empty. I played pinball for a bit before heading out.

Slide 34: 

It was dark when I finally found a really cool looking place. While I waited for some hot redhead to show up, I managed to earn a few cents bartending.

Slide 35: 

Even though I had taken a nap that morning, it wasn’t long before I started feeling sleepy. As I handed the apron to the bartender, he suggested that I try roasting a few marshmallows on the fire jets outside.

Slide 36: 

They were delicious.

Slide 37: 

I called the taxi and went home. I had been to so many different places, and I hadn’t found anyone I liked. With a sigh, I found the phone number Mae had given me.

Slide 38: 

“Hello, you must be Tina Anderson.” The gypsy matchmaker was exactly what I had expected. “Yes, my dear. You wanted to see me?” She seemed nice enough. “I met a girl this morning, she said her name was Maenad...” I paused in my story and she quickly filled the silence. “Yes, I know her. She doesn’t strike me as your type, but I can get you some love potion.”

Slide 39: 

“What!?! Uh, no, that’s not what I meant.” I stumbled over the words, my face as red as my dress. “Actually she said you could find me a guy.” “Yes, I can do that. Especially for a friend of dear Mae’s.” “Really?!” “Yes, for a price, of course.”

Slide 40: 

Grumbling, I handed over a few small bills. “Yes, but is this it? You might not get exactly who you are hoping for, dear.” “I’ll take my chances,” I answered for the second time that day.

Slide 41: 

I heard a thump behind me as I shook Tina’s hand. The look on the gypsy’s face made me dread turning around to see who she had dropped for me.

Slide 42: 

It was another black-haired man, this time in a bowling shirt. Could I not escape these fashion disasters?

Slide 43: 

I half-heartedly shook his hand, but we agreed that we weren’t really what the other was looking for, so we parted ways.

Slide 44: 

“Yes, my dear, do you now see why it is best to pay larger amounts of money?” Tina rubbed her hands together in anticipation. “All right, but you had better give me someone who’ll make my heart skip a beat or two.” “Yes, I have someone who can make your heart stop for good, my dear.” I decided to ignore that odd remark.

Slide 45: 

I ran into the house and returned with almost half of the money I had left. I was feeling desperate. “Yes, that is so much better.”

Slide 46: 

“Yes, his name is Dawson Collins.” She paused for dramatic effect. “Count Dawson Collins.” Count? That could only mean one thing. “He’s... Is he a vampire!?!”

Slide 47: 

I tried not to squeal or do anything embarrassing as I shook his hand. A real, live vampire! Wait, were vampires alive? They were undead, and that would be the opposite of dead, which is alive... Who cared!? I had always wanted to meet a vampire.

Slide 48: 

I managed to keep my cool during our conversation. Tina left after making sure that I wasn’t going to want another date, leaving Dawson and I to get to know each other.

Slide 49: 

Way too soon the sun came up and Dawson had to leave. As I watched him run off, I knew I had found the right man. Not only was he a redhead, he was smokin’. Literally.

Slide 50: 

The next few days went something like this: Call Mae to discuss relationship with Dawson.

Slide 51: 

Work out for a bit - got to look good for Dawson.

Slide 52: 

Call Mae to discuss relationship with Dawson.

Slide 53: 

Practice juggling. Take a short nap.

Slide 54: 

Wake up. Practice juggling.

Slide 55: 

Call Dawson.

Slide 56: 

Try not to burn dinner.

Slide 57: 

Call Dawson. Pretend I didn’t call an hour ago.

Slide 58: 

Make an airplane before recycling newspaper.

Slide 59: 

Call Dawson. Eventually all that talking to Dawson payed off, and he agreed to stop by. I was so excited, I ran all over cleaning up my few possessions.

Slide 60: 

I invited Dawson into my house and watched as he glanced around. “It’s not much, but I’m working on it,” I said, waving a dismissive hand.

Slide 61: 

“Count, I’ve got to admit that you’re the hottest vampire I’ve ever seen.” “I’m sure you say that to every vampire. But please, call me Dawson.”

Slide 62: 

As we talked I noticed he seemed a bit tense. “What’s wrong, Dawson? Are you uncomfortable? Do you want to talk about something else?” “Don’t worry, Hope. It’s just that my back is a bit stiff from lying in the coffin all day.”

Slide 63: 

“I can fix that,” I offered, rubbing his back.

Slide 64: 

“Thank you, Hope, I feel so much better.” He pulled me into a hug and I eagerly inhaled his scent. I will never forget it, he smelled of age. I knew vampires lived a lot longer than humans do, and I couldn’t help but wonder how old he was. I sniffed again. He smelled so good...

Slide 65: 

Dawson was really quite the gentleman. It drove me crazy and attracted me at the same time. Because of this, our relationship proceeded slowly. He came over every night, and after what seemed like forever we had our first kiss together.

Slide 66: 

Once he loosened up a bit he was quite romantic.

Slide 67: 

He didn’t even mind when I occasionally flung myself into his arms.

Slide 68: 

Each night we would part just before dawn. The car pool driver always had a new question. “Omigod, is that a real vampire?” “Omigod, is he really wearing a cape?” “Omigod, is he your boyfriend?”

Slide 69: 

But I eventually grew tired of all that Woo-ing and no Hoo-ing. “So, Dawson, we’ve known each other for a long, long time.” “And I wish that time was even longer, dearest.” I offered an condescending smile. “That’s sweet, Dawson, but you know what would be even sweeter?”

Slide 70: 

“Uh, Hope, I think I see where you’re going with this...” He drew back. “And isn’t it a wonderful place to go?” “I don’t know about this, Hope...” He took another step away. I took two steps closer. “I know you want to, Dawson. You know it, too.” “Well...” It was time to get out the big guns. “Don’t you love me, Dawson? I thought you loved me.”

Slide 71: 

With that, he caved in, somewhat reluctantly. After saying goodbye, a thought suddenly hit me. What I had done, it was a Lydia move. I was just like Lydia. I sat back against the garbage can and sobbed. Dawson didn’t deserve someone like me. -..-..-..-..-..-

Slide 72: 

“So what did you want to tell me, Hope? I was worried, you hadn’t called me in a long time...” I could see it on his face; he thought I had used him and thrown him away. “Don’t even think that, Dawson.” I took a deep breath. I had never done this before. “I want to apologize. Firstly, for my... despicable behavior.” “I am also at fault. What we did, it takes two, no?” “Please, let me finish. And secondly, I need to apologize for...”

Slide 73: 

“...making you a father.” -..-..-..-..-..- Dun dun dun dun! A mini cliffhanger! How will Dawson react to this news? Will he be thrilled? Will he get mad? Keep your eyes open for the next chapter!