They heard a thunder in the distance and moved further under the sequoia tree, which incidentally also brought them into the close proximity to each other. Suddenly, Elizabeth felt an unexpected urge to kiss Christina, especially because that desire had been on her mind since Alicia first mentioned the word kiss a week ago.

As if in slow motion, Elizabeth leaned forward and slightly touched Christina’s lips with her own, still looking directly into her eyes. For the first time in her life she experienced the sensual feeling of the soft and warm lips of another woman, and not just any woman, but her Christina.

The feeling was mutually overwhelming for both of them as they stood under the tree, their lips pressed gently together, their arms pulling their bodies closer. They were so engrossed in that first sweet kiss that they were absolutely oblivious to the forces of nature that came crashing down on everything that was standing in its way. It was as if the power of one simple kiss was able to stop the rain and the lightning from harming them.

They were soaking wet but completely unaware of their surroundings and of a lonely figure that was hiding behind the tool shed, intensely watching their every move.

Meanwhile in another dimension

Place: Los Angeles, CA

Year: 2005

(Previously) Tina turned off the light, and was sitting in the dark with her head resting on the sofa’s cushion, watching glowing flicker of the candle light. She couldn’t see the miniature in the coffee table, but she didn’t need to. Each detail of the painting was carved in her eyes and on her mind.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” Tina said out loud, thinking of the painting. “I always thought I was straight but now I have feelings for not only a woman but also a woman who happened to be murdered 120 years ago.”

Tina decided to sleep the remaining hours before she had to go to work. The exhaustion took over her and she drifted away as soon as her head touched the pillow.

Work was really slow and everything and everybody seemed annoying and irritating. Tina couldn’t keep her eyes open but it was mainly her mind that kept messing with her. All she could think of and all she could see was that beautiful face that she would never touch, caress, or kiss.