Jonathan McKenzie was everything Bette had ever hoped for in a man.  He shared the same zest for life and was also driven to excel at an early age. Success was engrained in both Bette and Jonathan from birth and ran freely through their veins.  Doting parents authored their stories long before they loved their children into existence.  Jonathan and Bette were destined to be great in whatever they did.  And indeed they were.  Jonathan was an accomplished civil rights attorney and just as radical as Bette. A sought after representative of those whom society looked down.upon.  He was always willing to give of his time.  That is until it impeded the window he so diligently set aside to spend with his wife.   They made a striking couple, often being mistaken for brother and sister.  Jonathan was a shade darker than Bette yet reflecting mixed heritage as well.  His very light brown eyes totally contrasted those of his wife.  He embraced himself as a person, celebrated his individuality and prided himself on being a non-conformist.    As soon as Jonathan graduated from high school, he let his hair grow into shoulder- length, well-kept dreadlocks. His brothers tagged him with the nickname ‘Ziggy’ after one of Jonathan’s favorite singers Ziggy Marley.  From that point on, almost everyone (except his father) started calling Jonathan ‘Ziggy’. His father, (Jonathan Sr.)  claimed that his boy could never get into college, much less law school with dreadlocks.   Ziggy thought otherwise.  He placed a bet with his father and collected $300 from his dad on graduation day from Stanford Law. He collected an additional $500 on his wedding day when his father didn’t believe he could not only date but marry Bette Porter, the upcoming mover and shaker of the art world.   Ziggy loved telling that story and his wife loved hearing it. They loved each other immensely.  Or, so it seemed.

 Bette’s thoughts were interrupted when two soft hands covered her eyes from behind causing her to jump.

 “Guess who sweetums?”  the melodious voice sang .   Bette inhaled the fresh, clean fruity scent of her roommate.  

“Um, let’s see Spongebob Squarepants?” Bette asked sarcastically.

“That horrid little yellow creature who lives in the sea?”  “Ah, no indeed. It is I , your wonderful friend and roommate” the anonymous woman sang while sweeping a hand graciously up to her chest and revealing a perfect smile.  “And”she hesitated while wrinkling her brow “I’m going to be tardy for work if I don’t hurry up.”