Category: fantasy

The Pilfered Pearl

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A search for one perfect pearl,

Pilfered.

Under the bed? No. Perhaps a jumping spider’s

Prize? No.

Buried like a squirrel’s acorn behind the Gardener’s shed? Also,

No!

Finally found.

Dust bunnied, cobwebbed. Under a ghost vanity long ago forgotten.

Lovingly polished.

Added to a small bowl of smooth, burnished copper.. with one beautiful blood orange,

Sliced.

Beside the bowl.. a summer ripe, juicy plum.

A love note, penned on the palest blue

Parchment –

Also, a little gold box, containing two salted caramel truffles.

A still life painting?

A scene set for a vintage film?

No.

A love potion for two.  A white tie tuxedo.

A flowing red silk gown.

Scent of gardenias, illuminating a poem –

Pleasure at midnight, under whispering pines and oaks.

Orion’s bow, abandoned. A violin, chosen.

A Prague waltz, played.

Ecstasy, reached.

One blooming red rose. Love.

Spider’s Silk

~ bookstrong ~ 3 Comments

House spider tucks in.

Clean laundry, warmth,

Juicy fly dreams –

Setting up house

It’s all about location –

Window, door, wall,

Or ceiling.

I, also, sleep.

I dream.

My web needs work.

My silks, purchased.

Her silks trap meals;

Mine, comfort, beauty.

When Spider wakes, she asks to weave a set

Of curtains with her silk.

I can sketch flowers for your windows, says

Spider.

She works.

She works days and nights.

I marvel.

Roses, dahlias, periwinkle, hyacinth –

A set of curtains, a canopy for my

Bed…

She is exhausted, proud. She beams.

I want to embrace her.

This wonder of eyes, silk, and friendship

I let her rest in my

Sweaters.

I hear her tiny heat beat. Her softest

Breathing

She sleeps. She dreams.

I sleep. I dream.

Softness. Comfort.

Not silk flowers, but the home a few spiders, I’m sure of it.   🙂

Sing the Words

~ bookstrong ~ 2 Comments

Woman with pen

And lined notebook.

Maybe I’m that woman.

So far, only the lines –

No words. Pen waits for

Movement.

Tree frog, impatient.

Lands in its midst.

He says.. I. I am your story. Me. Me and the trees,

The beetles. The flies. And this paper, once part of

A tree. Maybe a fir, perhaps a pine.

Write us, he says.

Me, the birds, and see the forest for the trees.

Go ahead. Write me.

Write my singing with your words.

Take your words to the forest.

Read them aloud.

Sing them to the firs!

Trees along the Piscataquis River, Dover-Foxcroft, Maine

Daisies

~ bookstrong ~ 3 Comments

I awaken,

My room full of daisies,

Five feet tall –

Blooms, ten inches.

Around.

I dreamed this.

Room full of ideas,

From my mind, planted.

Growing, but with roots.

Deep.

Difficult to pick –

And so many.  Varied in weight. Choose which one first?

One a symbol of a lonely glacier. It says, pick me!

I need friends!

Another, a simile. Like a single red rose meant

For a lover.

I choose that one. Rose disguised as daisy –

Love disguised as decisive.

I need both hands for strength to harvest my heart’s desire. It’s big and strong, this daisy/rose.

This idea, this feeling, runs deep.

True beauty

Floral

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Lions’ manes seek springtime

Sunshine

Tulip forests in

Red, yellow, purple, and pink

Coats shed, packed deep away.

Camellias, red

Maple buds, chartreuse –

Aphrodite appears; love season arrives.

Desires tire of their winter weather timeouts

Red merry widows, pink satin Freudian

Slips

Flushing faces and blue silk swirl

Come waltz a floral fairytale

With me.

Softest pink slip of love

A Couple and Their Kitty

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Veronica has apple pie in the oven

It’s for her lover not for her coven

Sharko will be home slightly soon

Later they’ll dance under the January half moon

Then after pie and wine they’ll have them some lovin’

They have a favorite spot under a big oak

After they finish they each three cigs smoke

Ronni says Sharko that was the best ever

Sharko says at fifty I’ve been better never

She says you’re better than at twenty and that’s no joke

Ronni likes Sharko’s pecs more than his money

Days that are rainy are as great as the sunny

Ronni gifts Sharko with a library card

He loves to read the comedies written by the Bard

They read to each other in bed and the night turns to honey

During cold winter they both crave sun

They travel to Santorini to have some sexy fun

Ronni wears a blue and white bikini

Their favorite room service snack is ouzo, olives and fried zucchini

Ronni is grateful she didn’t become a nun

Sharko and Ronni return to their ranch on Spruce

In their suburban neighborhood there’s a giant house cat on the loose

She’s seven feet tall and a gorgeous grey tabby

She’s perfectly coiffed and not at all stray shabby

Ronnie loves her and feeds her special carnivore couscous

Sharko wants to adopt her but can they afford her?

And how many brushes for all her silky fur?

And so they build an addition to their house

They name her Artemis after the hunter goddess

But instead she befriends Lorraine, a tiny mouse

She keeps away annoying neighbors with her loud sing purr

The three of them make a family content

The neighborhood comes to love them though the Association’s rules are bent

No cat has ever needed a litter box so big

To scoop her poops, deep they must dig

A backhoe is required, but barely makes a dent

—– More stories of Sharko, Ronni and Lorraine to come. 😊

Change Is In Store For Aphrodite

~ bookstrong ~ 2 Comments

I order a dirty martini, and my lunch partner orders an old fashioned. We have a deal to make. I want my way, and he wants his. We need to compromise, and really, who wants to do that? Goddesses don’t compromise. At least that’s what I like to think. This situation is different. Honesty is required. Not one of my virtues. Neither does it come naturally to Scorpio.

Scorpio is mischievous. His sting is something else, and I’ve been stung by the Scorpion before; thrice. This time he’s come down from the sky with a purpose, and I have to be nice. He wants Millicent Monday, one of the Gemini twins, to fall madly in love with him. But if I get what I want, I’ll lose the power to make that happen.

He downs his old fashioned, and I sip my martini. Neither of us says a word. We size each other up. Our server comes, and we order lunch. For me, chicken marsala. For him, a big serving of halibut and chips. We both decide to lay off the alcohol and drink iced tea, though it’s February and 25F outside, it’s cozy in here.

He says, I’ve missed having Love in my life. It’s good to see you. To what do I owe this invitation, Aphrodite?

I think you know. I’ve met a man. A man I think I could love for real. But in order to know for sure, I have to live as a human for a year. What I mean, dear Star, is that I’m tired of loving so many and having so many fall at my feet. It gets tiresome after these many years.

Well, you get right to the point as always, but how could you possibly get tired of being so loved? And why on earth would you want to lose your Goddess aura and be, god forbid, human for an entire year? I mean, human, Aphrodite? You might be happier as a rabbit, or some other furry creature. I mean, humans are so.. flawed.

I laugh out loud at that, and say, Scorp, we goddesses, gods and constellations are far more messed up than people. How can you say that? I’m the most flawed of all, and I can’t take it anymore. I need a break. I want to live in a house in the suburbs of Portland. I want to make sticky toffee pudding for the holidays. I want to wear jeans and sweaters and watch cat videos sometimes. Maybe a crummy Netflix show with Geoffrey, and drink Chianti from the grocery store instead of the best from Tuscany.

Geoffrey? Is that your crush’s name? Does he make a lot of money? Enough to support you in the style to which you’ve become accustomed?

I respond, he’s a builder. And I don’t need him to support me. I can get a job.

And I can tell the Scorpion is trying desperately not to laugh out loud. His eyes twinkle just like they do before he stings. I told myself I have to be honest with him, and much of what I’m saying is the truth. Some of it isn’t, but can he tell? I think he’s on the verge of saying yes, but he’ll want something from me first. So far, this seems easy. Will he want to meet Geoffrey? There really is a Geoffrey. I’m not making him up. And I do want a romance with him, but that’s not all I want.

Scorpio clears his throat, eats his last fry and piece of halibut, and stares to our right for a minute. He knows what he has to do to make this human year possible for me. He has to sting me once, but painlessly, to make sure this is a good outcome. Not something he enjoys. He always stings to punish, with a painful result for his target. What will I have to compromise if he agrees?

I get my answer. He smiles and says, okay, Love. You can have humanness for a year. Try not to enjoy it too much, or let it get around the grapevine, or the next thing you know Apollo and Eris will want to join in. We can’t live without at least some Discord in the world. But I want something from you first.

And I think, oh crap. Here it comes. He wants Millicent. But no. She’s not who he wants. He wants.. a remedy of sorts.

He says, I want to trade places with Eris. I want you to banish her to the sky for fifty years. Like your Love needs a break for awhile, my stinger needs a rest. There are other ways to cause Chaos. I want Eris trapped up there. Scorpio points upward. She deserves it after spoiling things for me and Daphne.

I say, But how am I supposed to do this when I’m human? I won’t have my powers.

He shrugs. That’s for you to figure out, sweet Aphrodite. But yes. I’ll give you what you want. Now I want what I want.

Before I have a chance to consider, Scorpio reaches across our small table and touches the right side of my neck with his left index finger. I feel a little rush and a tingle down both arms, but that’s it. I close my eyes for five seconds then open them. I feel different.. a little tired. My feet ache. A hear a woman’s voice. She says, apparently to me, okay, Kristin! Break’s over. I just sat table 26. They’re waiting for you.

And I think, oh god! This was too quick! I thought I’d have time. But it seems I’m a server in a little family restaurant. I wonder where I live? Was that arranged by Scorpio too? Guess I’ll find out, won’t I? I get out my pad and pen and head for table 26. Why do I know which one it is?! What have I wished for?

********************

What will happen? How will the Goddess of Love do as a restaurant server? Will she earn good tips? Will she manage to get the Goddess of Discord banished to the sky? What will she do to Scorpio when she gets her human hands on him?How will she figure out where she lives? Does she have a cat or maybe a pet emu? And if she does, what do emus eat? And does she even know how to make sticky toffee pudding?

Will the cat be let out of the bag? 🙂 There are many secrets to be learned!

More stories to come here on Rebellious Hazelnuts! Stay tuned!

I Spy a Getaway

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Duncan! Slow down! We’re far from the building and safe!

No, we’re not out of the woods yet. Stella is clever. I thought I knew everything about her, but I was wrong. Jesus, was I wrong.

I freak out, but only a little, and I say,

But wait! Explain why she wants to kill me. What is all this about? She’s the mole, isn’t she? I knew she was up to no good! She was a scheming shithead when we were in school together.

Duncan says,

I’ve always known she’s a bit devious, but people like her always do well in these kinds of espionage jobs. But Stella’s a little too underhanded and forgot whose side she’s on.

You mean, she “forgot”?

Okay. Yes, she “forgot”.

Duncan takes his hands off the wheel to imitate my air quotes. I really need to stop doing that. I even get irritated with me now. But this does make him slow down once he puts his hands back on the steering wheel.

I say, okay, Dunc. Let’s both slow down, breathe deeply and talk normally. So, what’s the deal?

We’re really close to Joan Lake. We’ll settle in, you can get Kristina and her stuff inside and we’ll have a martini or two. Then I’ll explain all.

You know, Duncan, I’ve lived in and around Portland my whole life, and I’ve never heard of Joan Lake. You say we’re almost there, and we’ve only been on the road for fifteen minutes. What the … ?

You’ve never heard of it because, it’s, well… it’s in another world, so to speak.

I say nothing. I take out my phone and try to Google “Joan Lake.” Nothing. In fact, my screen goes blank.

He says,

You won’t find it there anyway. There are no bars here, and your phone won’t work. Well, there are sort of bars, but we call them saloons.

I look at him like he’s out of his mind, and he says, I’m serious, Gretchen. Type the word, universe, all in little letters, an en dash, then the numbers, 59653. Then you’ll have service.

I do this. The numbers show up in green across my screen, and bingo! At the very top, I see four tiny brown old American west style saloons. I roll my eyes, because, well, this is ridiculous, and I look up from my phone to realize Duncan has parked in a circular drive in front of a palatial house. I’m speechless. Almost.

Ah, so Joan Lake is the name of this house? This place is something; definitely not a cabin! Is it some kind of a retirement home for spies like us?

First, we’re nowhere near retirement, and no, this is a safehouse of sorts. No one from Portland can get near us here.

But what about people from San Diego, Fargo, St. Paul, Boston, …?

You know what I mean. No one from the other side.

No, Duncan. I don’t know what you mean. I want that drink, and I want you to tell me everything. Understand? I want to know it all.

All right. I hear you. Let’s go in.

I take Kristina in her carrier out of the back seat along with my purse and backpack. Duncan retrieves his few things, and we go to the door. He doesn’t take out a key, but places his right palm below the brass door knocker and says the words, “hot Seckcee oysters and honey.”

I laugh so hard tears begin to roll. I did not sign up for this ludicrousness. He’s playing some kind of a joke. It has to be a joke. I mean, it does, right? Then I say it,

Duncan, what the everloving hell!?

Just be patient, Gretchen.

The door opens, and we walk in. The foyer is smaller than I expected, but beautiful. A housekeeper enters from a room to the right, and says,

Welcome, Duncan, Ms. Foss, and Kristina.

Duncan says, Gretchen, meet our housekeeper, Anna.

Anna smiles at me, but I feel wary. She reminds me of the housekeeper in North By Northwest, and I shiver slightly.

She says, Come with me Ms. Foss. I’ll show you to your suite, and your closets.

Duncan excuses himself and says, I’ll be in the library for awhile, and then I’ll meet you in the sitting room, Gretchen. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you everything then.

We smile at each other, and I feel at least some relief. I let Kristina out of her carrier, and she and I follow Anna up the stairs on the left. I think, Anna said she’d show me my “suite and closets”. Then I remember I only packed enough for two days, also that I left Kristina’s stuff out in the car.

We reach the top the stairs and take a right, and go into the second room on the left.

Anna says, this is the wisteria room, and I feel like I have to touch the walls. Yep. It’s just wall paper, but it’s like trompe l’oeil. Like I can feel the petals. Like the vines and blooms are coming out of the walls. She asks if I like it, and says that Duncan’s grandmother made and painted the paper.

Then, she says the room is all mine for the length of my stay, and the three closets full of clothes are mine.

I want to say, so you knew I was coming, and for longer than a couple of days, but I don’t get the chance. She goes to exit, but turns and says, Duncan will be across the hall when you’re ready.

I say, well, Kristina, let’s have a look. I realize she’s already hopped up on the bed and made herself at home. I go to look in the closest closet. Are all these clothes really my size? I think back over the last twenty four hours, and it’s all a blur. I feel I’ve lost all sense of time going by. Is it tomorrow yet? It should be late at night. Dunc and I left town right before the potluck was supposed to start. But, I look out the big side window and see full sun like it’s noon, and I have a big headache. No time to nap, though. I need to go see Duncan and find out what this place is and what’s really going on.

I open the door to head across the hall, and decide I’ll take Kristina with me. I think of the potluck and what’s happening or happened there?

The sitting room door is wide open. Duncan is on his phone. I hear him say his sister, Veronica’s name. He says, so sis, what do we do about Stella?

I sink into a deep blue velvet chair, and Kristina leaps up to my lap.

Duncan says to Veronica, do we have any choice but to kill her?

**********

Meanwhile, back at the potluck..

To Be Continued..

Escape the Potluck

~ bookstrong ~ 2 Comments

I drink my matcha. I need to be well caffeinated for this assignment. It’s not every day I’m asked to do something like this; only once every four months or so.

My Maine Coon, Kristina circles my legs, purrs and talks. I tell her cats don’t drink tea, that she doesn’t want any, but she doesn’t believe me. Ever the skeptic.

My phone chimes with a text from my friend, Stella. She says, don’t forget to bring your little red journal. We have to report everything. We’re in this thing together.

I text back, of course not. But I think to myself. I need to “forget” to bring it anyway. I keep it under lock and key all the time. There’s no reason for me to take it. She’s only up to no good. I wish we hadn’t been partnered on this case, but Duncan de Seckcee insisted.

Oh yes, I should tell you a little about my sort of boss. I met him at a birthday party for my ex, Mathias. (Mathias and I , though exes, are close friends, and get along better now than when we were married.) Anyway, Duncan walked up to me, smiled, held out his hand and said, “Seckcee.” Before he could say anything else, I laughed out loud. Then he said it again, “Seckcee.” Then, “Duncan de Seckcee.” I shook his hand, and we proceeded to discuss gardening and our favorite kinds of cheese. It was a weird conversation. The first of many we’ve had in the six years since.

You see, Duncan is kind of a spy; well, as much of a spy as one can be when many people know that one is kind of a spy. I take occasional assignments from him. Lucrative assignments. Assignments that enabled me to quit my boring job as a boring insurance customer service rep. And these things I do for him are legal, though sometimes they have a nefarious feel to them. I love that nefarious feel. It’s like I’m Agent 99. But I must say that Duncan is a lot smarter than Maxwell Smart. He’s hotter too, but that’s beside the point. We’ve never had a thing, but if the opportunity arose, it wouldn’t be a negative.

This evening, Stella and I are attending a potluck together. We don’t have far to go. It’s happening in an apartment three floors up from mine. Stella lives two floors down from me. I call her my friend, but she’s really not. She was in a few of my classes at Portland State twenty five years ago. We were more acquaintances than friends. Two years ago, I ran into her at the mailboxes here, and we learned we’re apartment building neighbors. Six months later I found out she also works for the de Seckcee family, but usually for Duncan’s sister, Veronica.

**********

I’ve about a half hour to go until the potluck. I don’t want to be the first one there. My special carrot cake is ready to go. I always bring some kind of a dessert to these things. That’s all I’m taking. I’ll lock my bag in my safe with the little red journal that Stella wants so badly for me to bring, and a twenty page dossier on Agent 123-January. I know this dossier by heart, but I can’t afford to have it stolen. One twenty three is the reason for this potluck, though she doesn’t know it. She thinks it’s in celebration of Agent 267-Garth’s 40th birthday. I hope she shows up. But even if she doesn’t the plan should go over fine.

I need more caffeine and fix another cup of matcha. I might be out very late. I wear my favorite chartreuse chiffon dress. It’s vintage, 1973. If tonight goes well, this isn’t an average potluck, after all, I’ll have reason to celebrate. Why not dress up? A reapplication of my hibiscus pink lipstick, and I’m ready. I go to pocket my phone. This dress has one convenient, hidden pocket, and it chimes with another text. My heart sinks to my lime green Mary Jane pumps. It’s from Duncan. He says,

“Don’t go to potluck! Stella is planning to kill you. Get out of your apartment! Pack backpack with enough for two days. Bring Kristina, her necessaries, and the red journal. Will pick you up in 15 minutes in front of PO.”

Well, this is a surprise. Not the last second change of plan, that’s usual for Duncan, but the news of Stella’s mission. I mean, I said we’re not really friends, but this is insane. But I must pack. I reread the text. Dunc isn’t known for short ones.

I go to put Kristina in her carrier, usually difficult, but she breezes right in. Odd. I have to take a small suitcase because I can’t fit all she needs and two days worth of my my own necessities in my backpack. The post office is across the street. I don’t think I’ve ever changed so fast. From my dress to jeans, a Technically Dead book club T-shirt and my blue sneakers in less than a minute. I retrieve the red journal from my safe, lock the compartment back up tight, and replace my fake Degas Pink Dancers. I tell Kristina everything will be fine, but it’s as if she knows it, and we’re off. I take the elevator twelve floors down to the lobby, jog to the front doors, and make a beeline for Duncan waiting in his black VW Beetle across the street. He waves to rush me to get in. I say, where to, Dunc? And he says, to my sister, Myrna’s Joan Lake cabin. I’ll explain on the way…

To Be Continued..

An Unusual Flight

~ bookstrong ~ 4 Comments

I awaken in a garden. I’m surrounded by sunflowers seven feet tall. There must be hundreds of them. I’m in a pink velvet wingback chair. Did i fly here to wherever i am?

I look up. The sky is clear blue, not a wisp of white. It’s cool like mid autumn. I bend my head back to feel the warmth of the sun on my face for a minute. I’m sleepy. Maybe i’m still asleep?

I hear music. I think it’s something by Liszt. It’s coming from my left. I look in that direction, and see a path through the garden. It’s so long i can’t see where it starts, but it ends where i sit; in the center of a sunflowerless circle, about ten feet around. It’s like a crop circle.

I look straight ahead. I stand, but feel dizzy. I stretch then feel better, but i’m tired. I notice how beautiful it is here. Maybe if i rest awhile, and relax, i’ll wake from this dream and be in my own bed.

The sun is shining, but it’s not too hot. The chair is comfortable, and i adore sunflowers. They appear in my dreams often. Yes, that’s it. I’ll sit down again and drift away. If only i had a cocktail. A dirty martini with three olives would be perfect.

I sit in the soft chair and close my eyes. I hear Liszt again, but i can’t name the piece.

Is the music coming from the sunflowers themselves? It’s a little louder this time.

I close my eyes and prepare to dream, but before a minute passes, i hear a voice on my left..

I hope i’m not disturbing you, Miss Eugenia. But here is the martini you asked for to drink before your flight.

I play along, because why not?

It’s the dirty martini i just thought of. I say, thank you. And you are?

Why, you know me, Miss Eugenia. I’m the Inn’s night bartender, Forrest Crowne.

It’s only now that i notice that Forrest is a Jaguar.

I smile and say, thank you again, Forrest. This is my favorite as you know. I take the drink from the tray and realize an end table has appeared next to my chair. I think what next?

But of course. I look straight ahead and see, five feet across from me, another wingback chair, but this one is purple velvet, and in it sits a gorgeous and regal tuxedo cat.

I laugh out loud. I can’t help myself.

Kitty says, with perfect grammar, Eugenia, at what do you laugh?

Oh, i’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing and intrigued because this is the most bizarre dream i’ve had in ages. I’m enjoying it.

Ah, you think this is a dream?

Well, isn’t it? Maybe i should know this already, but what is your name and how long have we known each other?

Kitty looks puzzled and says, my name is Annette, and you and i have known each other since i was three hundred and you were five.

I don’t laugh this time. This is only a dream. I’ll wake up soon. This is just like that whole season of Dallas, the TV show. Pam has a dream. That crappy season is just a dream. She wakes up and finds Bobby in the shower or whatever. Yeah. That’s it. Maybe i’ll wake up in my own shower, or in my own bed or on my couch.

Annette watches me.

What are you thinking, Eugenia? If you don’t remember, you must have questions.

Forrest clears his throat. I’d forgotten he was there.

He says, if neither of you would like anything else, i should get back behind the bar.

I say, nope nothing for me. Annette purrs, showing she’s content and wants nothing else. Forrest heads back down the sunflower path.

I should have requested another martini. I have the urge to check my texts. I look around for my purse.

Annette says, it’s stowed under your chair, Eugenia, just like it is when you fly on a regular plane.

I want to laugh again, but i’m too freaked out. Where’s Forrest? I need a second martini.

Then i think, wait. I don’t have to sit here. I can get up and walk away. I can walk down the path like Forrest!

Annette says, it’s too late now, Eugenia. We leave in three minutes. You must stay.

I say, what? You can read minds, Annette?

No, but i can tell you’re afraid. You have no reason to be.

I sit back again and try to relax. What can happen? I’m sure i’ll wake up soon, hopefully within the next three minutes.

I gulp the rest of my martini. I’m not calm. Annette watches me with her sharp, cagey feline eyes.

Then, of all things, the sunflowers start to hum. I reach under my chair for my purse and pull out my phone.

Annette says, Eugenia, type fast. Only a minute and a half.

I text my friend, Camille. When the flowers started to sing, it dawned on me where i am. A year ago, Cam made a trip to this same place. It’s called Six Rubies. The innkeeper here recruited her to find Time. She found him with the help of a private investigator. Now i’m here, but how i got here and why i’m here, but about to fly off somewhere, i’ve no idea.

I text,

Camille. I’m in Six Rubies but about to leave. Come if you can. No idea how i got here. What the hell?

Okay, Eugenia. It’s time, says Annette. Your chair is in the upright position. Turn off your phone, and stow your bag under your chair.

I think, god, why didn’t i have another drink or three?

Annette says, close your eyes, and listen to the sunflowers. Focus on the flowers.

I hear them. They hum and then begin a chant. Lost time – find the hidden gems. Lost time – find the hidden gems.

I want to open my eyes, but i don’t dare.

Annette says, keep your eyes closed. Focus only on the sound.

The sunflowers’ chant is hypnotic. I feel like i’m floating. Am i? Or am i flying? The chanting grows fainter. I strain to hear, but now it’s too far away. All is quiet.

Okay, Eugenia. Open your eyes, but sit still.

I open my eyes, and Annette and i are indeed floating in our chairs. It’s nighttime, and the stars are bright, but they glow lavender. I’m relaxed. My legs tingle a little.

Annette looks supremely pleased with herself.

She says, look around. Isn’t it beautiful? We’ve been up here for two hours, but it doesn’t feel like it does it?

I try to look in all directions at once. I see Leo. He winks at me and waves a paw. There’s Aquarius. He flashes me the peace sign, and i send one back. And there’s Venus in a pink negligee walking her little Scottie.

I want to order another cocktail, and just as i think it, Forrest appears to my left…

Mary Raynes