Blood and Fire - Chapter Fourteen

“What are you two girls giggling about in the curtains?” asks Mrs. Bennett “It’s a beautiful day this morning and they need to be opened up to bring some light into the room”.

“They’re closed because we don’t want him to see us!” explains Kitty stifling her laughter between words.

“I think that makes 27 times now! I wonder if he will make 30!” delightfully exclaims Lydia and then in a sing- song voice “Oh Liz! You need to come here!”

Liz has been sitting at the kitchen table with her dad discussing the recent political events dispersed with satirical comments that have flashed on the yahoo news page on her phone over a hot mug of cappuccino. Liz rolls her eyes on hearing her name called for the millionth time from the other room. “I’ll be there in a minute!” she yells back through the swinging doors while her mother enters the kitchen to find some more toast.

“You’re not going to want to miss this!” yells Kitty throwing herself into fits of laughter back on the couch.

“What is it? You both look like peeping toms! Hopefully, our neighbors haven’t noticed!” rebukes Liz wondering what is causing her sisters annoying curiosity.

“You can sit here for a minute and take my place on the couch. You’ll see in about 37 seconds, I’ve been timing him” punctually remarks Lydia with a teasing tone.

Liz glares back in return. She believes that all the excitement is probably from something like their neighbor across the street who likes to water her flowers in her housecoat.

“Here he comes!” squeals Kitty punching her sister in the shoulder as the tension mounts for the stranger’s arrival.

Just then a large white van with a huge red shield slowly approaches the house going approximately three miles per hour and abruptly breaking with a jerk directly in front of their home.

Liz gasps. The van suddenly hits the gas and burns rubber on the road as it takes off around the corner.

The girls are laughing so hard, kitty accidently falls off the couch knocking her head gently on the floor.

Liz, however, is not amused.

“How long has he been doing that?” tepidly asks Liz not sure she really wants to hear a reply.

“This makes 29 times! He’s been going around for the last two hours!” giggles Lydia hugging her younger sister while helping her to stand up.

“Why is he doing that?” angrily asks Liz knowing the answer is probably on that she probably doesn’t want to hear.

“He likes you Liz!” Frankly states Lydia as if being liked by a boy is common knowledge and something that should be understood.

“Liz has a boyfriend! Liz has a boyfriend!” sings Kitty as if she is still in grade school dancing around Liz who is tempted to shake her in order for her to stop.

“He is not my boyfriend. Stop that! Ugghh . . .” growls Liz in return opening the front door and walking outside as the white van attempts to approach the house again.

The van slams on the breaks after being noticed a half a block from the house and sits in the middle of the street. A couple minutes pass. A car honks behind him because of being blocked in and unable to pass. After angrily shouting back at the van, the neighbor pulls into his driveway next door.

The neighbor looks over at Liz while getting out, “Is that one of your friends? You need to teach him how to drive!” before angrily stomping in his front door as Liz lies and gently shakes her head ‘no’.

The van begins to slowly back up down the street but stops time to time as it veers towards cars parallel parked along the sides of the suburban neighborhood. Afraid that Liz will lose more neighbors as friends if their cars are hit, Liz raises her hands and waves him to come towards her home.

Lydia and Kitty have taken their places at the front window and knock to get Liz’s attention. They are bent over in laughter at her. Liz scowls back.

The big white van with the large red shield slowly pulls into the driveway. Collins is grinning ear-to-ear as he stumbles out of the van having missed the first stoop. He is wearing a purple t-shirt that reads “In all the constellations –you’ve finally found a star” with yellow and blue plaid checkered shorts with black knee-high socks and plastic brown sandals.

“Hi Liz!” softly sighs Collins sauntering up to her on the front lawn as Liz patiently waits for him.

“Hello Collins. What are you doing here today?” politely asks Liz twisting a dandelion in her hand a little nervous about what might come next.

“I thought that I would drop by and see you. I’m sorry that I smell like grass. I’ve been mowing my lawn today when I thought that I’d take a break and come by and talk to you for a few minutes” honestly remarks Collins scratching his knee where some leftover grass remains.

“Come on into the house. I’ll get you some lemonade. Everybody is there except Jane and Mary who have gone to the library this morning” explains Liz hoping that the company will make things more comfortable between them.

“I’d rather talk to you out here by yourself, if you don’t mind” suggests Collins.

“Actually, it’s rather cooler inside. Why don’t we go inside with everyone else?” confidently offers Liz not wanting to have any private conversation.

“But I want to stay outside! I’ve noticed you admiring me for quite a long time” starts Collins.

“Uh, I’m going inside right now” interrupts Liz not knowing where Collins is headed with his comments.

“You’ve been quite attracted to me and it has been obvious to me. It’s time we discussed our true feelings towards one another” continues Collins anxiously grabbing her hand.

“I don’t know about that. I think some lemonade might help cool you down. It’s been pretty hot today” counters Liz not wanting to hear anything more.

“No, Liz. It’s time that you tell me all that is on your heart and expose your undying passion for me!” sincerely gasps Collins and he pulls Liz’s hand towards his heart.

“I think you might be just a little mistaken” states Liz not sure how to counteract this last statement.

“You’ve been so obvious. Everyone has noticed that you can’t keep your eyes off of me!” intensely explains Collins “I know that I’m good looking and that many women find me attractive but I have succumbed to your verdant infatuation and find myself thrown into the squalor of your love!”

“What squalor? If I had love, it certainly wouldn’t be lost in some pit of darkness and filth!” angrily states Liz trying to shake Collins lose from his grasp on her hand.

“But I’ve told everyone how much you admire me and that I’m defenseless against your ardor!” mercilessly explains Collins as he tries to grasp at least one hand while Liz attempts to keep her hands away from him.

To Lydia and Kitty watching inside it looks like a girlish hand fight that they might have had in second grade. They look at each other unable to contain their laughter at the hysterical silent performance in front of them.

“Lt. Collins, you have been terribly mislead and mistaken. I do not share you affection or interest. I really think that you will find someone else that will meet what you are looking for” offers Liz not wanting to hurt his feelings but feeling repulsed by his confession at the same time.

“Liz – you have thrown yourself at me. Everyone has seen it! How can you deny it? Are you playing hard to get? I know girls like to play hard to get with the man they love. I’ve seen it in the movies before” rationalizes Collins as he places a hand on each of Liz’s shoulders.

Liz pushes his hands away. “I’m not playing hard-to-get. I’m being straight forward. I’m not playing any type of game with you. I am not interested but there is someone who is and you need to find her.” Liz hopes that he will have noticed Mary’s interest by now.

“There’s never been anyone but you. You have published your affection for me in your statements, the clothes you wear, how you behave towards me!” rebukes Collins offended that Liz could even suggest that she wasn’t dying with love for him.

“I didn’t do or wear anything that suggested anything other than friendship towards you!” yells Liz appalled that he would suggest such a thing.

“Your costume matched mine! It even had a white cape just like mine! I sang to you and you listened!” counters Collins “We are a duo! A pair! A half of each heart!”

Liz is silent for a moment at a loss for words. She looks down at her feet trying to find something worthwhile to say that will not hurt his feelings but will give him a clear message.

“Collins, I’m sorry if I mislead you but there are other women who are interested in you and they would make a much better match then me. You like to be the center of attention and I would get in the way. I think you are much better off without me” kindly but firmly offers Liz not wanting to continue this discussion much longer.

“You are trying to make me tell you how wonderful I would be for you. I’m an outstanding preacher and you could proofread my sermons but I would then also have Major DeBourgh read them as well she is one of the best proofreaders I know; I’m related so you can be promoted in the Army quickly because of my name because no one knows your family name; I’m an excellent singer and will be invited to a lot of territorial events that you can tag along as well even though uninvited; you’ve might not be aware but I’ve met all the generals and I can introduce them to you but you’ll have to remember to be polite and let me speak first . . .” arrogantly rambles Collins to Liz’s dismay.

“Collins, listen to me. I’m not doing anything like that! By the way, I know how to write and do not need anyone’s help – that’s my job! You need to go home!” yells Liz from feeling insulted by his rationale as she stomps off and slams the front door.

Collins stands in front of the bushes staring into the large front window and vindictively yells “Liz Bennett! You’re not good enough for me! You’ve lost your chance and it will only come around once in your lifetime!”

Inside tears are forming down Liz’s cheeks in anger and slight hurt fearing that he may be right with his forecast about future love in her life. But then she shakes off that momentary discouragement and whispers under her breath, “He’s a moron!”

Mrs. Bennett comes running down the stairs on hearing the front door slam. “Liz! I heard the good news! Collins came over today just to see you! Your sisters say he is proposing! You can be an officer now and won’t have to be single!”

“First off, I don’t need to be married to be an officer. Secondly, he did not propose to me. Thirdly, I wouldn’t have accepted him if he had. I am NOT interested in Collins!”

“Yes you are!” shouts Mrs. Bennett “He’s the only man that has been interested in you in a long time!”

“No, I am not! I will wait for the right man if he should come along. I’m not marrying anyone I am not in love with!” incredulously argues Liz.

“But he’s in love with you, isn’t that enough?” replies Mrs. Bennett “Beggars can’t be choosers”.

“I’m not begging. I didn’t ask for him to like me. I didn’t lead him on. I’m not desperate!” angrily states Liz.

“But you’re getting so old and you need to find somebody soon! Collins is perfectly fine. Yes, he is a little weird and eccentric at times, but you can change that!” replies Mrs. Bennett not understanding why her daughter would give up so quickly on this chance at love.

“I’m not. Someone will come into my life when the time is right” defends Liz knowing that she has prayed for a husband for many years now believing that God will compassionately bring about that moment.

“You need to give up your daydreams. You’ve always been so full of such nonsense. You liked too many fairy tales as a young girl. There are not princes or heroes in this world. You need to settle for what is in front of you. There are plenty of good looking men around. Collins could be the right one for you. You’ll never know unless you give him a chance!” replies Mrs. Bennett.

“This discussion is over! It is my life!” snaps Liz not wanting to continue the argument any longer.

“I’m going to see if your father can talk any sense into you. Really, Liz, you are impossible!” slamming the bathroom door behind her with sounds of huge fake moans from behind the door.

Liz is already headed toward the kitchen where she suspects to find her father still reading his morning paper as he does every Saturday morning with his coffee.

“Liz, you’ve made your mother cry and have broken her heart so that it will never be recovered” starts Mr. Bennett with a smirk but with his eyes dancing.

Fussing with great excitement, Mrs. Bennett enters the kitchen and stands beside Liz “I suppose you have already heard. Liz has told Collins that she is not interested in him and has given up her last hope!”

“Ummm . . . I suppose hopes are in limited supply. Because I for one am glad that she has surrendered this hope even if it be her last one. Perhaps she can borrow one of mine. Because I hope she finds someone else to match her heart and spirit to love instead” states Mr. Bennett with a smile to the absolute annoyance of Mrs. Bennett.

“Men just do not understand!” Mrs. Bennett huffs under her breath and then walking away “He never takes my side!”

“Thank you dad!” as Liz hugs her father “Thank you for understanding!”

“I don’t see him making you very happy Liz. It is rather a selfish thing I would rather have happy grandchildren where their parents will come visit me often. However, I don’t think that I would invite him much to my home. I would like to keep our neighbors as my friends.”

Blood and Fire - Chapter Thirteen

“I see it! Hurry Liz! You can park in front of that blue car!” anxiously demands Lydia bouncing in her seat with excitement in anticipation of seeing her friends.

“She needs to wait her turn. The guy over there is trying to back up and parallel park correctly, but he doesn’t appear to be doing a very good job of it” observes Mary watching the white van with the large red shield take multiple unsuccessful attempts to adjust the dimensions of the oversized vehicle into the tiny space available. “I think that is Lt. Collins”.

“Why are we waiting for him? He’s taking way too long!” pouts Kitty “This tail is uncomfortable to sit on because you’re crushing me and I want to get out of here!”

“It will just be another minute” hopefully states Jane sighing as the white passenger van backs up yet again at a even more peculiar angle after its fifteenth attempt.

“Ohhh! He’s going to hit that car! Back up Liz! Hurry! He’s heading towards us!” screams Lydia in fear that they will soon be demolished by a silver metallic bumper.

The van then rams the gas forward immediately coming to an abrupt stop about an inch from the nearest post office box with a raised red flag for outgoing mail.

Out of the driver’s side jumps Collins in tight wide flared polyester pants with flashy rhinestones and matching high collar cape with large gold chains for accessories. His pasty chest is offensively exposed meeting up with a square diamond crusted belt. He hides behind large gold trimmed shades. He wears greased back hair with rather large side burns grown this week for special effect.

Collins struts up to the passenger window where Liz is in awe of the spectacle in front of her. Liz slowly rolls her window down as Collins channeling memories of Elvis begins to speak “Little Darlin’, oh where are you? Walla, Walla, chipa mocka, mogga, oh my lover, oh just for you, only you!”

Liz stares at Collins in disbelief. Mary sitting just behind her blushes with great enthusiasm at his profound words.

“What are you doing?” asks Lydia laughing through her words.

“Don’t criticize what you don’t understand, son. You never walked in that man’s shoes” earnestly replies Collins speaking out of the side of his mouth like his familiar celebrity mentor.

“You nearly hit that mail box!” warns Kitty trying to shuffle out of the minivan sliding door just before Mary shuts the door on the tail of her Barney dinosaur costume.

“I gave a letter to the postman, he put it in his sack, bright and early next morning, he brought my letter back” quips Collins with a burst of intensity and twist of the hips.

Jane throws her head back laughing because it is too much to hold back.

“Rhythm is what you have or you don’t have, but when you have it, you have it all over” explains Collins with an air of authority on the subject with a shake and a shiver.

“I’m so glad you’re coming tonight too!” shouts Mary running around the van to meet him.

“Let the world call me a fool, let it. Things are right with me and you that’s all that matters and I’ll do anything you ask me to” replies Collins with a side smile and wink.

As Char attempts to climb out of the van in her platform boots, Collins offers a hand to help her with a comment “Your troubles I’ll share, let me know and I’ll be there. I’ll stay close to you any place and any where. Shake a hand, shake a hand, shake a hand if you can” taking her hand and helping her step down.

Char and Collins share a sweet smile and Char responds, “Do you know who I am? Have you any idea who I am? Yes, it’s been quite awhile and it’s so good to see you again!”

Collins blushes “Smile an everlasting smile, a smile could bring you near to me. Don’t ever let me find you’re gone, because that could bring a tear to me.”

Mary looks at the two of them a little perturbed at the interaction and decides to participate in the lyrical conversation “To have a happy warm smiling place, start believing in believing, let your address be sunshine place” pleased with herself and ending the moment with a nod.

Collins looks over at Mary but then decides to head towards Liz who is willingly attempting to avoid the nonsense while walking down the pathway to the entrance of Bingley’s home.

Intentionally bumping into Liz’s shoulder, Collins assumes that she feels left out of the banter. But Liz looks at him as if he is an alien from a foreign planet.

Collins begins “I know what it is like when you feel left out of the game little one, but if you take this helping hand that I lift then we can smile together. Let’s be friends.”

Trailing behind them, Kitty waddles to the door dragging her swaying tail behind her. She sneers while looking over at Lydia who is practicing her “Marilyn Monroe” walk with her shoulders thrown back and hips that appear to be knocking bowling pins over with a slight limp.

Not knowing how to move the conversation to something else besides quotes of Elvis, Lydia offers as if anyone would care “Do you know that Marilyn Monroe wore one of her heels a half inch shorter than the other so she would have an ‘original’ walk?”

“Lydia, did you cut the heel of one of your shoes? Why you would do that to a good pair of heels is behind me!” remarks Mary disgusted with the idea.

“No. I like my shoes just the way they are. See, aren’t these pretty?” stretching her leg out for the girls to admire her recent mall purchase.

The door bell rings and Bingley answers. He is wearing black jeans, brown leather belt, printed oxford shirt and a smooth grey vest with matching fedora.

“You look hot!” impulsively exclaims Lydia “Who are you?”

Bingley throws his head back standing straight in pleasure “I’m Usher”.

Mary looks a little puzzled leaning her orange hair to the side as she tilts her chin.

“Who are you, Mary?” excitedly asks Bingley liking everything that is in front of him “I love your costume!”

“I’m Elton Johnette tonight” smiles Mary feeling that Bingley is one of the nicest people she knows.

“Come on in! Darcy and Caroline are already downstairs in the family room. Just follow me and I’ll show you where to go” states Bingley grabbing a couple of soda bottles from the kitchen on the way.

Liz clings to the stair rail trying to balance her self while stomping on each stair. “Don’t push me!” as she turns to Kitty who can’t seem to balance either in her dinosaur costume.

“I’m sorry. My tail gives me a bit of velocity” replies Kitty while Mary annoyly waiting behind her is surprisingly impressed with Kitty’s vocabulary this evening.

As they enter the room, Liz is unnervingly disappointed in what she sees. Caroline is standing with her hand on Darcy’s shoulder. She is wearing a burgundy velvet form fitting evening dress with a low cut front just-to-there. She is wearing perfect jewelry with every coffered hair in place.

Darcy makes a spectacular image beside her in a midnight blue suit, pristine shirt, and shimmering matching tie.

“Wow! You look fantastic, Caroline! I love that dress! Who designed it? I wish that I had one like that! Would you let me borrow it sometime?” gushes Lydia in awe of Caroline’s fashion powers.

“Darcy and I decided to go as Michael Buble and Celine Dion” smirks Caroline “It’s so difficult to find anything to wear that was suitable. It took me all week to come up with these costumes”.

Liz looks down at her unflattering shapely outfit and sparkly costume. Somehow this doesn’t seem quite fair. She blows some air to remove some errant hair from the large curly wig out of her face.

Slightly irritated in contrast to her personal effort, Char leans over to Liz and whispers “That wasn’t much of a stretch and it didn’t take much creativity either.”

Feeling some tension in the room but uncertain as to the cause, Collins decides to get the party started with his own physical antics “So, Rock and roll music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can’t help move to it. That’s what happens to me. I can’t help it!

“You’re right, Collins! It’s time for Karaoke!” chuckles Bingley explaining the rules “The first round is solos. The second round will be split into two teams. One team draws from a hat for a partner, and the other chooses the song for the duet. The program rates pitch and lyrics. It averages the two scores together for a final score. For the duet, the couple must ‘share’ the same score for each of their teams. Is everyone ready?”

“Darcy, you have to be on my team!” Demands Caroline pulling his arm to sit on the couch next to her.

“I want to be on your team too!” excitedly jumps Lydia hoping to earn points with Caroline so she will let her borrow some of her clothes in the future.

“Liz and Char are on my team!” announces Collins standing between them and wrapping his arms around their shoulders even if Liz looks a little dismayed at the prospect, to keep in character Collins adds in a deep throat voice “I believe in the Bible. I believe that good things come from God. I don’t believe that I would sing the way I do if God hadn’t wanted me too”.

Mostly ignoring him, “Who’s going to be with me?” asks Kitty but before thinking Bingley responds “You can be on my team.” Kitty throws herself on the floor laying down next to the couch and leans on her arm, not wanting to sit on her long tail.

“I guess that means Jane and I are on Lydia’s team” sulks Mary wishing that Collins had chosen her for his team finding a spot next to Lydia.

Jane is disappointed not to be on the same team as Bingley but knows the teams need to be fair and have the equal amount of players. She sits in the lounge chair which no one seems to have noticed yet is still empty.

“So it appears the teams have been set” states Darcy staring directly at Liz sitting across from him but uncommonly wishing she was next to him instead of Caroline “Team One is Jane, Lydia, Caroline, Mary and me. Team Two is Liz, Bingley, Kitty, Char, and Collins. Who wants to go first?”

“I do! Where are the songs?” asks Lydia browsing through the CDs on the coffee table “Here it is!”

Standing up ready for her big moment, Lydia begins “Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind wanting to start again?” She adds some amusing choreography while raising her arms and twisting with an over the shoulder back look to “Firework” and does a fairly decent job with an average score of 87.

“I’ll go next! I already know what I am going to sing” confirms Kitty picking up the CD cover she has been admiring for awhile. “Britney Spears is one of my favorite singers” and begins her rendition of “Baby, hit me one more time”.

Her tail moves and jumps while banging into the entertainment center and whacking Mary on the head when she does a guitar play split that she learned in cheerleading practice. She ends her performance with a score of 74 missing a few of the lyrics from being out of breath.

“It’s my turn” declares Mary hoping to impress Collins as she spies him moving in closer to Liz sitting next to him on the couch appearing slightly uncomfortable with the arrangement “I’m singing “Dancing with Myself” by Billy Idol.”

Liz and Jane share a quick glance wondering what this will be like and if there will have to be any intervention. Mary conscientiously stands in the middle of the room as if poised for a ballet to begin. She starts to jump with the beat of the introduction but doesn’t miss a syllable of the lyrics to her original movements in her plaid pants and purple suspenders throwing her arms in front of her moving side to side. She keeps her concentration focused on Collins to everyone else’s delight but unfortunately he remains oblivious to her intent.

“Very good, Mary!” claps Bingley with his natural encouragement and support in spite of the score of 62 because of pitch, however, lyrics reached a score of 100 percent.

“When I was a child I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero of the comic book. I saw movies, and I was the hero of the movie. So every dream I have ever dreamed has come true a thousand times” seductively states Collins in his mock Elvis voice as Lydia giggles at him wondering how he can take himself so seriously.

Before the music begins, Collins bends down on one knee in front of Liz in sincere reverence with a deep vocal tone begins “Are you lonesome tonight? Do you miss me tonight? Are you sorry we drifted apart? . . .”

Kitty and Lydia are laughing so hard they are falling over each other. “Go Elvis! Tell her like it is!” encourages Lydia as Liz squints and narrows her eyes back at her.

“Just say it!” eggs Kitty enjoying the moment of embarrassment of her older sister “Use your words, you can do it!”

Darcy is amused at how uncomfortable Liz appears to be in the situation but feels completely unable to rescue her from Collins amorous attentions at the moment.

As the song closes pleased with his efforts of encouraging potential affection, Collins states “I’ve learned how important it is to give people entertainment and give them a reason to come and watch you play”.

In contrast, Jane nervously glances through the music and finally decides on “Need You Now” and does a wonderful job with a score of 97 percent. Jane has a lovely smooth voice which everyone enjoys listening to.

“It’s your turn Liz” announces Collins hoping that she will pick a fantastic song specifically for him.

Not sure of the available song election, Liz looks through the music and chooses “Love Remains the Same” by Gavin Rossdale and earns a score of 92. Darcy admires her voice and sincerity while singing as Collins feels inspired to broadcast his true affections.

“I give in. I know you all are waiting for me since I do have one of the better voices and talent in the room” smiles Caroline with her hand rubbing Darcy’s shoulder and lowering to his arm as she stands up in front of the group for her performance “I’m singing “Gravity” by Sara Bareilles”. She finishes with the highest score of 98.

“I only have a three note range and really don’t sing anything” replies Char feeling a little uncomfortable singing after ‘Celine’.

“Don’t worry about it! I’m sure you’ll do a great job!” encourages Bingley.

Char suddenly has an overwhelming sense of confidence and begins with “On the Floor” with great dance moves in her white spandex and platform laced boots. Bingley, Lydia, and Kitty, stand up and join her as backup dancers. Her final score is 71 which she is content with.

“Darcy, I believe it is your turn next. What are you going to sing for us? I’m sure we will all be impressed” teases Caroline.

“I really like Keane. They are one of my favorite groups. It looks like I’ll try “Somewhere Only We Know” which hopefully won’t be too difficult” modestly replies Darcy.

As he sings, Darcy glances over to Liz surprised at his own feelings and secretly hoping she likes what he is trying to explain in the song.

Liz feels him watching her while Darcy sings but believes that she must be making up his intention that this song implies anything having to do with her.

“It’s now your turn Bingley. You’re the last one of Round One” instructs Mary “What are you singing?”

“How about “Lost in Your Eyes” by Debbie Gibson?” asks Bingley as everyone else but Jane in the room giggles.

Sincerely and devotedly Bingley bellows words that pour from his heart in Jane’s direction, “I get lost in your eyes and I feel my spirits rise, and soar like the wind. Is it love that I am in? . . .” Jane blushes with each phrase in the song feeling mutual fondness and affection. Bingley scores with a 99 percent.

“It’s time for Round Two! I’m going to go first. Bingley pass me those names in your hat! I pick . . . ‘Kitty’!” slightly disappointed at the random choice of her partner.

Team Two considers for a moment and then chooses “Defying Gravity”. The girls sound very good together as their voices blend in harmony.

Char then picks out of the hat and finds that Mary is her partner. They both look at each other unsure that this will work very well. Mary chooses “Love Shack”.

Stepping out of character for a moment, Collin shouts “That’s my favorite song by the B-52s! Can I join you? My points won’t count!”

The girls agree and Collins joins them taking the male lead “ . . .Baby, Love Shack that’s where it’s at!” Final score is 74.

“Who is next? If no one wants to volunteer, I’ll go. Let’s see. Oh no. Collins you are my partner” sulks Caroline obviously disappointed with her chosen partner.

Never wanting to lose a competition, Collins chooses “Something Stupid” because she admires Nicole Kidman and puts her full effort into singing. To everyone’s surprise they sound very good together.

Bingley takes one of the two names that are left in the hat. “Jane! I get to sing with Jane!” Jane smiles and blushes thrilled that he chose her.

Lydia jumps in “You have to sing this one Jane. It’s one of my favorites from Boys like Girls!” placing the CD in before Jane has a chance to refuse.

“I remember what you wore that first day . . .” begins Bingley in a beautiful tone looking at Jane joining him with “maybe it’s true . . .”

After the song closes everyone is contemplative, feeling the chemistry between the two of them.

Mary trying to get Collin’s attention but not sure what to do, “I think it is Liz’s turn to sing next with Darcy. They are the only ones left.”

It is Liz’s turn to choose but she seems a little overwhelmed at the choices at the moment.

Lydia yells over at Kitty “Have them sing this one!” Kitty giggles and announces “You have to sing “Lucky” that Colbie Caillat sings. Liz rolls her eyes totally annoyed at her sister.

They sound very good together even though Liz tries not to look at Darcy while she sings because it unnerves her. Darcy likes all the different expressions Liz makes while she sings and adds his own flare to the song. He smiles sweetly at Liz when they have finished singing. Liz can’t help herself and smiles back feeling an attraction for him that she hasn’t felt for anyone else before.

“I think we should have a bonus round! Liz and Char, did you see what they have here? You are wearing the perfect outfits for it!” giggles Lydia and Kitty looking over her shoulder at the title. “I remember you and Char use to do a dance routine to it!”

“Liz, we have too. It’ll be fun. It’s “Waterloo”, let’s do the routine from “Muriel’s Wedding! – but not repeat the fighting” enthusiastically suggests Char thinking that it would be a lot of fun. Liz finally agrees after much prodding.

When they finish, Caroline crosses her legs and her arms feeling that this isn’t exactly what she planned for the evening. “I’m tired. I think that it has been a long evening and we need to end the party.”

Everyone looks at each other not ready to move but this is her home.

“Caroline, I think that our guests could stay a little longer” suggests Bingley not wanting to end the evening with Jane.

“I have things to do before work on Monday and tomorrow is a busy day. I’m sorry everyone, but I’ll see you later” instructs Caroline as she picks up the snack bowls and heads towards the kitchen.

Jane and Bingley look at each other not sure what to say. Bingley without warning hugs Jane goodbye and immediately leaves the room. Jane is left standing there a little puzzled but glad that he hugged her even if he didn’t’ say anything and left.

“It was good to see you tonight” offers Darcy “I’m sorry that the party is ending rather earlier than I thought it would. Will you be at the corps tomorrow?”

“Yes, I’m there every week. Will you be coming too?” asks Liz.

“I’ll see you then in the morning” smiles Darcy feeling lighter and happier at the opportunity of seeing her again so soon.

Liz smiles back feeling that perhaps she may be wrong about what Wickham has told her about Darcy’s integrity and heads out the door behind Collins.

Still in character as Collins walks out the door, he impulsively grabs the hand of Liz, “If you say goodbye, I know I would cry, maybe I would die, because I don’t have a wooden heart. There are no strings on this love of mine it was always you from the start. Treat me good, treat me nice, treat me like you really should, because I don’t have a wooden heart”. He then waves goodbye to the Bennett girls and heads towards his van.

“What an evening!” remarks Lydia sighing as she limps to the minivan “We didn’t even find out who won!”

Blood and Fire - Chapter Twelve

“Mary! Someone’s at the door!” calls out Mr. Bennett relaxing in his favorite chair reading current political news the newspaper with random side comments to himself out loud so that no one who is listening can hear.

Slightly perturbed Mary stops practicing at the piano the song she has been playing for the last fifty-seven minutes. She has been working on for three straight weeks so with a “humph” and walks towards the front door.

Standing in front of her is Liz, Jane and Char. “Why aren’t you dressed yet? We’re here to pick you up?” asks Liz is a rather nagging tone to her younger sister as she shuffles in her costume through the door.

“Is it that time already? I nearly forgot! I’ve got my outfit ready it will just take me a minute!” hurries Mary in a very anxious state off to her bedroom to find her latest creative material invention.

Mr. Bennett peers over his paper at the three young women standing in his living room, not completely sure how to absorb what is being cast in his vision. “Is this is called fashion nowadays? It reminds me of something I use to wear when I was younger. Perhaps I have the opportunity of being in style again” curiously wonders but slight excited by that potential experience states Mr. Bennett.

The women giggle and Liz replies ‘Dad, I didn’t think about it, but the black patent leather one inch heeled zipper ankle boots in your closet that you refuse to throw away might actually have worked with my outfit.”

“Char, did you have something to do with this? I remember Liz wearing something similar last year that you dragged her to that conference in the name of fun” remembers Mr. Bennett amused at the memory “I was disappointed that you didn’t invite me too. I wanted to go as a Klingon.”

“Oh, you do remember! Yes, I revamped Liz and my costumes from the Sci Fi Convention last year. Liz wasn’t exactly that excited about going, but even she had a great time” looking over at Liz smiling who returns a large grim remembering the different aliens and galactic creatures that she meet and became friends with.

“Who were you girls? Char, it looked like you had large Cinnabons on your head as I recall” chucks Mr. Bennett knowing exactly what person she was trying to portray.

“I was Princess Leia and Liz was Wilma from Buck Rogers. We wearing the same white lycra pantsuits which I added the silver lame capes too. We just had different weapons. I painted a white motorcycle helmet with a red stripe for Liz’s outfit though” explains Char proud of her accomplishment.

“What are you this year and why?” curiously asks Mr. Bennett thoroughly enjoying the conversation.

At that moment screaming can be heard from upstairs “You can’t wear that!” shouts Kitty.

In response Lydia yells “Yes, I can! I can wear what I want! I’m not going to look as ridiculous as you!”

“I look fine! She isn’t a singer anyway! You look stupid!” angrily shouts Kitty as everyone in the living room hears stomps of footprints on each stair.

“So, I was asking why?” stunned looks Mr. Bennett as Marilyn Monroe and a purple dinosaur enter the room.

“Dad, tell her that Marilyn Monroe is not a singer! She can’t go dressed as her!” whines Kitty hoping to gain some support for her argument.

“Yes, she was!” returns Lydia in her blond wig, red ruby lips, and white fifty styles dress with a soft breathy and barely audible tone with an identical lip shiver and twitch “Hap – py Birth-day, Mr. President!”

Trying not to interfere, Char and Jane try to hide their giggles but don’t do a very good job of it.

“Interesting Lydia, where did you get that idea?” mockingly concerned asks Mr. Bennett intrigued with his daughter’s superb mimic abilities.

“We’ve been learning about JFK in my government class and watched a video this week about his life. Did you know that Marilyn Monroe was his mistress?” asks Lydia enamored with the whole idea of celebrity gossip.

“Yes, I think that I’ve heard that before. So did you learn about the Bay of Pigs, Civil Rights movement, and his assassination in Dallas?” asks her father.

“I remember something about Camelot and a guy named ‘Crush You!’ which sounds like a wrestling guy from WWF” honestly replies Lydia.

“I think you mean Khrushchev, not ‘crush you’. Seriously Lydia, do you ever pay attention in school?” incredulously asks Liz dismayed at her sister’s lack of knowledge of historical events that shaped the country.

“Whatever . . . I really liked Jackie O’s fashion sense. I think suits are coming back in this year. Besides who are you to talk with those outfits? Who are you trying to be, ABBA?” annoyed asks Lydia.

“Well, actually yes. I found the sparkly silver metallic lace up three-inch platform boots with the matching belts at the Thrift Store last week. I think they look rather good with the outfit and capes. What do you think?” asks Char knowing that Lydia has a keen eye for detail.

“Now that you mention it, Char, your costumes are excellent! I like the wigs as well. Liz, looks quite surprising good with blonde hair and I like your brunette wig as well” honestly observes Lydia.

“Thank you” acknowledges Char.

“However, you need to help Kitty out” disgustingly states Lydia shaking her head looking over at Kitty in the corner “I’m afraid she is going to embarrass us all in her Barney outfit.”

“I like it!” smirks Kitty piercing her lips in defiance “I think Barney is wonderful!”

“Where did you get the costume?” asks Jane a little curious herself.

“It’s from the day care where I work. I have to have it back on Monday for Hayden’s birthday on Monday though. I think it is rather cute, don’t you?”

Lydia rolling her eyes “I don’t think he should count as a singer.”

“He sings as much as Marilyn does” Kitty proceeds with squeaky a cappella rendition of “I love you, you love me, we’re a happy family . . .”

“I think that I have missed something. Where are you going so I can give my fatherly permission to unleash my divas on to the world?” asks Mr. Bennett.

“You see, it was my idea. Collins asked Liz who invited Char over to his house for Karaoke because he likes to dress up as Elvis while he sings. I thought it would be more fun to have everyone go and have a costume party dressed with each of us dressed as our favorite singer. I talked to Bingley and he offered to have the party at his house because he has more room than Collins’ apartment” explains Lydia proud of her scheme.

“Oh, this makes some sense to me, I suppose. Jane, now who are you? I see the white apron and the blue dress with black flats. Are you Mary Poppins? She sings from what I hear” kidding asks her dad.

“No, but you are close. I’m going as Maria Von Trapp from “Sound of Music”. Julie Andrews is my favorite singer and she is in one of my favorite movies” smiles Jane “I even brought a guitar but it’s still in my car.”

“I seem to still be missing one daughter. Last I checked I still had five. Of course, Char, you are my ‘adopted’ daughter too. So, I guess I have six if I am counting correctly. Five plus one still makes six the last time I counted” smirks Mr. Bennett with a grin pleased with his joke.

Lydia looks at him a bit confused and then shrugs it off. She yells from the foot of the stairs hoping to obnoxiously reach Mary’s room, “Mary, where are you? We’re all waiting on you!”

The room is silent in disbelief as Mary enters. She is wearing a spiky orange wig with red plaid pant, orange t-shirt, purple suspenders with a man’s matching purple jacket, and large oversized blue tinted shades with one long dangling earring.

“Whooo are you?” asks Lydia barely recognizing her sister while the others stare in silence.

“I’m Elton John, can’t you tell? Although I’m considering changing my name and calling myself ‘Elton Jonette” frankly replies Mary in a no-nonsense tone.

“Come on Elton, we’re going to be late” states Jane motioning everyone towards the door. “Dad, can we borrow the mini-van? I highly doubt all of us will fit in my car.”

“Yes, let me get the keys. I haven’t moved it since your mother last parked” states Mr. Bennett looking out the large window at the minivan whose right rear tire is still hanging from the curb leaving the van parked mid-air at an angle and then shaking his head “I think she left the keys on her dresser.”

After he returns with the keys and receiving hugs from his daughters, Mr. Bennett shouts after the troop “Qapla’! Just in case you don’t know, means “Success” in Klingon!”

While the girls wave back and giggle, ABBA, Elton, Marilyn, Maria and Barney head towards the minivan for an evening of adventure and fun.