BACK IN FLORIDA

The last couple of hours have been steady with the flow of customers coming in the gallery. The day is about to come to end and of course, Bette is feeling a little nervous. Feeling nervous about the impending phone call she has to make to her attorneyand maybe to her sister, Kit. She decided to put it in the back of her mind for the time being. She was after all still at work and needed to concentrate on the customers. Bette has always taken pride on the way she interacted with customers. She made sure they felt they are the most important person in the room. When she spoke to them, she was definitely just talking to them. She gave them her utmost attention, a quality that did not go unnoticed by Lexa. Bette had a way to make people feel special whenever she spoke to them and gave them her attention. Bette was making her usual walk around the gallery making sure she introduced herself to everyone and asked if they had any questions. She wanted them to know that they didnt have to buy anything. She did like to know what feelings the paintings evoke in them. She just loved the way people shared their most honest and unguarded feelings that was brought on by a painting in front of them. She came to a young woman, looking at a painting of a man and a woman. The woman was on the bottom part of the painting while the man was towards the top of the painting. The man was walking towards the light like going to the heavens. The man was turned around with a slight smile looking at the woman while the woman eyes were full of tears. Her right hand was stretched toward to the man as if to try to grab for his hand.

Bette walks beside this woman and asked, Where do you think he is going?

The woman answers without turning to her, I think he is going to his next journey, maybe to heaven since he is walking towards the light. Of course, he is not 100% sure if he wants to go since he is looking back to her looking or maybe asking for reassurance if it is ok to move on.

I definitely think he is unsure. If he was, he would have kept going without looking back and taking the chance for her to ask him not to go. I think he is torn and is looking for strength to go on from her. Bette adds. Do you think she is asking him not to go with her hand out to him?

Not necessarily. Maybe she just wants one last touch before she lets go of him. I think it is always difficult to let go of a soul mate no matter how short or how long the separation is. The young woman finally turns to Bette and shares her opinion.

So you think they are soul mates. So I think you believe in that stuff. Do you believe that everyone has a soul mate, someone who is meant just for you? Bette asks curiously.

Yes, I do believe in soul mates but not in the way that most people do. The young woman answers back.

Bette finally takes the time to look at this woman. Shes petite, about 54, black hair down to her shoulders, with brown eyes. She is Asian but not sure specifically from which country. She doesnt think she is a foreigner since she has an American accept. She thinks she grew up in the United States. She is intrigue by the direction of where this conversation is heading to. Bette thinks she seems so young to have such an insight in the human complexity and she eagerly continues the conversation.

I do believe that everyone is meant to be with someone, someone they are meant to grow old with. ButI also believe that we have more than one soul mate. For each journey or say troubled times in our lives, someone comes along to help us through it. Sometimes they stay and sometimes they dont. Their main purpose in our life is to help us get through that particular rough time. It would be nice to have all our soul mates to remain in our lives everyday but that is just not possible. When you do meet one of your soul mates, you just have to take it for what it is. Enjoy and be grateful that they come into your life even for such a short time. Its not the quantity of time they spend with someone, its the quality of that time. Im sorry I must seem like am rambling on. The young woman apologizes.

Oh please, dont apologize. I never thought of a soul mate in that aspect. I am so used to thinking of that one person you are meant to be that I never even thought of the other people that comes into your life to enrich in other ways. Do you have a philosophy degree or something? You speak of such deep inner thought that I find it hard to believe it is coming out of your mouth. Im sorry. That didnt sound rightI dont mean to offend you. What I meant is that you seem really young to think in that path. I meanI am so much older than you and you seem to be a lot more in touch with the meaning of life than myself. Bette explains.

Dont worry. I dont offend easily. Im very sensitive but I dont take things so personal too easily. By the way, dont let my look deceive you. I am a lot older than you think.

Oh come on, you cant be older than 25, 26, or even 27 yrs old. Bette guesses.

The young woman just laughs and admitsJust ad 12 more years to the 25 and you have my age correct! You can blame it on my Filipino genes.

You got to be kidding me! There is no way you can be the same age as me. Can you prove that? You havent had surgery or anything, have you? I mean you dont have any wrinklesIm sorry again. I must sound like a complete idiot.

Dont worry. You dont sound like an idiot. I just hope you dont give all of your customers the same third degree how the number of wrinkles or lack, they have. But seriously, I hope you are this open and friendly with all your customers. You seem to get a lot of visitors. You have a lot of nice paintings. Youre very approachable so thats very helpful. The young woman admits.

Thank you but I cant really take any credit for the gallery. Lexa, the owner is the brain behind this place. She has magnificent taste and has a very keen feeling of what touches people.

A few moments of silenceThe young woman turns to Bette. Well I better let you go so you can check on the other customers. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me about this painting. I appreciate it. I guess I better get going. Our conversation has made me feel so good that I think I will treat myself with an ice cream.

You’re welcome. Im glad youve enjoyed yourself. Youre going to celebrate with an ice because of our conversation? Bette asked.

Yes, I know it seems weird but I meet a lot of people and its hard to have an intelligent conversation sometimes. Some people dont have any opinions on the meaning of life and what is happening around us. To some, its easier to talk about non-issue things like entertainment or sports. Dont get me long. I love sports but it doesnt quite stimulate my brain in the same way as talking about religion or social issues. Since I feel really good and its been a really good day, Im going to treat myself with an ice cream, to somewhat savor the moment.

Throughout the conversation, Lexa has been keeping an eye on them. Shes curious on who this young woman that Bette is talking to. She has never spoken to any of the other customers for this length of time and her body language was different. She seems at ease with her but yet Lexa is sure she is a stranger to Bette.

As she walks away, she turns around to face Bette and ask, I know you are busy but you wouldnt want to get some ice cream with me, would you?

As much as I like the sound that, I cant really get away right now. I cant even remember the last time I can ice cream. Bette smiles as she remembers the times when Tina and her used to eat ice creams together.

Lexa overhears and cuts in, Oh yes, she can. Go ahead and go with her, Dran. I can handle it on my own, only if you promise to bring me some back.

Lexa turns to the young woman and offers her hand, Dont let her forget. Hello, my name is Lexa. Hope you are enjoying the gallery?

Hello, Lexa. Nice to meet you. Im R-Leen and yes Im very much enjoying your gallery. Its great!

Bette finally introduces herself, Hi, Im Dran the 3rd degree questioner.

Well you two better get going. I dont want to have this ice cream for dinner. Dont forget, I want a scope of butter pecan. Lexa orders.

Let me grab my purse and we can go. Bette runs to the office to retrieve her purse.

Bette and R-Leen starts to walk to the little Mom & Pop ice cream place. They placed their order and decided to take a sit at one of the tables outside. It was a nice day. It wasn’t too hot and the wind was cool.

Bette asks, So are you from around here or are you passing thru just like everyone else?

Im just passing thru. Im on vacation visiting some family and friend but I needed a vacation from the visiting of the family and friends. R-Leen answers while laughing.

Let me get this straight, Bette tries to keep her laughter in. You need a vacation from your vacation?

Yep, that about sums it up. I try to visit my family and friends whenever its convenient with my job but I still get to the point that I need time to myself. Dont get me wrong, I love them. I just cant live with them, thats all.

I can relate to that. Sometimes, the people that you love the most drives you the craziest. You cant live with them, but you cant live without them. So where do you live?

I live in England right now.

Wow, why do you live there? What job do you do? Bette ask more questions than she usually do from strangers.

Im in the air force stationed in England. Ill be there for a couple of years so I have to commute to the States to visit and re-Americanize myself.

What, I would never have guessed that. Actually, everything I have learned about you today I would never have guessed in a million years. Bette confesses.

Thats why you dont ever judge the book by its cover. You can say I am a walking contradiction. I am nothing what I look like from the outside.

So you like being the military?

For now but I am ready to retire and move on. Ive served my country and now its time to move on to the next adventure in my life. Two years cannot get here soon enough.

What? Bette blurts out. Youre retiring in two years?

Yes, Ive been in for 18 yrs and you only need 20 to retire so that is all I am doing. Im ready to have a normal life. Im getting tired of moving. Ive moved 7 times in the last 18 yrs. I feel like Im always living out of a box or a suitcase. I would like to be able to live in a place long enough for me to memorize my address and phone number. R-Leen jokes but of course, is very serious.

I take it youre one of those people who doesnt like to talk about themselves or doesnt like to share info about themselves? R-Leen interrogates.

Yes, that would be me. Thats really not much to share about myself. I just moved here about a month ago from West Hollywood. I was here on vacation and Lexa offered me a job. I needed a place to start a new job so I took her on her offer.

I see. Mending a broken heart, arent we? Well, weve all been there. Time and sometimes places help us to heal.

Thanks! Bette offers.

For what? R-Leen asked.

Just for talking. Aside from Lexa, you are the only other human being that Ive had a long conversation with in months. Its nice to have to just chat without losing control of my emotions. Besides, youre pretty funny and unique.

Why, thank you. Im glad that I amuse you but you know, its a medical condition. R-Leen says with a straight face.

Oh my God! What condition do you have? Bette a little confused.

Im a menopause baby. My mother was going thru menopause when I was conceived. Its the main reason why I am so special and unique. R-Leen tries to say without bursting into laughter herself but of course, Bette had tears in her eyes already.

Bette couldnt help say, Youre so silly!

R-Leen gave her a look and Bette already knew what was coming. I know I know its because you are a menopause baby!

They were just laughing when both of them realized that they should probably get back so they got up and started walking back to the gallery.

Thanks again. This is the best ice cream Ive had in a very long time. Ill remember you each time I have an ice cream now. Bette admits.

I enjoyed myself too. I usually dont talk to anyone when I go on my private vacation. Most of the time, I really dont want to be bothered. I just want to do my own thing and relax. R-Leen confesses.

They were just 10 yards away from the door of the gallery when Bette realizes something.

*****, I forgot Lexas ice cream. Ill be right back. Can you tell her Im getting it right now. Shes going to fire me if I walk in the gallery empty handed. Thanks. Ill see you inside. Bette runs back to the ice cream place.

As soon as R-Leen walked into the gallery. Lexa greeted her and asked where Dran was. R-Leen explained that she is on her way back with her ice cream. As soon as she had finished her sentence, they both heard a screeching sound and a slam. They both looked at each other with a horrific face. They ran outside to look what had happened. The teenage driver of the van was yelling that he didnt see the woman. She was running across the street and he was going too fast to stop. Lexa and R-Leen both pushed their way into the crowd and noticed the ice cream on the ground. Their eyes started to water with the fear that it could be Dran. Their fear was confirmed when they finally saw the identify of the woman laying on the ground.


BACK IN WEST HOLLYWOOD

Hello? a woman on the other line answers back. A voice that did not seem familiar to Kit.

Yes, can I help you? Kit asked.

Yes, I am looking for KitKit Porter I think is her name? Lexa unsure.

Yes, Im Kit Porter. How can I help you? Kit sounding a little confused.

Im a friend of your sister, Bette. Im sorry to have to tell you this over the phone but shes been in accident. Shes in a coma and I think you should come as soon as possible.

Oh my God! Yes, Ill be on my way as soon as I can. Where is she? Kits voice starts to shake.

Shes in St Augustine, Florida. Heres my cell number. As soon as you get your flight information, call me back and Ill pick you up at the airport. Again, Im sorry. Oh and Kit, please hurry. I dont know if she will make it pass 24 hours. Lexa starts to sob.

Kit ends her call and she had to lean on the table where the gang is sitting.

Kit, whats wrong? everyone asked.

Its Betteshes been hurtbad. I need to go to her. I have to make reservations. Can someone drive me to the airport? Kit asked in a daze.