Two's Company (Flash Fiction)

The Archangels Michael, Raphael and Gabriel were fresh off their last mission. Saving a man caught in a current in Bolivia, whom was just a farmer, but would one day, open a school for the disabled and relieve child’s pain and parent’s pain. They were exhausted and their clothes were torn.
“Hey Michael, stop thinking about our next save, we need some time off.” says Raphael.
“You know you don’t get tired, stop trying to be human!” Michael instructs.
“Yeah, but can you blame me...they get to sleep and fall in love and use their bodies for fun-” Raphael was saying and was cut off.
“And fear death their entire life, and then actually die and leave behind their bodies with which they had so much fun with!” Michael shouts with the breath of God.”
“And be nervous and get sick and have a mental illness, forget that, I don’t want to be human.” Gabriel says.
“Hey, Gabe.”
“Thanks for getting my back.” Michael says looking over his shoulder.
“I’m always here,  aren’t I?” Gabriel fires back.
Michael is God’s right hand so he is the leader of the Angels but he has to be mind them, too.
“C’mon guys,let’s decide on our next mission. I agreed that it would be democratic.
Here’s what the Creator gave us.” Michael issues as the teacher. In their minds eye they could see country and event. There was a political activist in North Korea, a prisoner in Russia,  an artist in the UK and a steel worker in Poland.
“Why is it always four, why not five or six?” Raphael asks.
“His methods are not to be questioned! What’s with you now? Always wanting to rebel. You know where that leads.” Michael stops before he goes on a rant.
“Just keeping you on your toes.” Raphael laughs.
“Whats your vote Gabe?” Michael asks.
“The prisoner in Russia, did you see his future?” Gabriel says.
“But the artist in the UK can change millions of lives for years to come. He just wants inspiration, that’s easy but we all have to be on board.”
“Easy, that sounds good, Mike.” Raphael says.
“Don’t, Mike, me, I’m mad at you.” Michael says.
“Real angel-like of you, MIKE.” Raphael is right and Michael knows it, but it’s not like him to react. “But the activist in North Korea would inspire generations with her act of defiance.”
“That’s true Raphael, that was my second choice, but she’ll be out done in ten years.” Michael says.
“She’ll still inspire.” Raphael says.
“I’ll go with the artist.” Gabriel says.
“Why are you always the first to side with Mike?”  Raphael says.
“Why do you always go with the people against governments?” Michael asks Raphael who promptly shrinks in obedience. Raphael has a pet peeve with people in charge of other people. “C’mon guys we have to do this.”
“And what about the prisoner in Russia prepared to die, for his country,ultimately.” Raphael throws in a slow down comment. “We’ve got to consider them all, there’s a reason
we’re looking at them.”
“But we have to decide.” Michael is biting his bottom lip.
“I’ve got your back, Mike, whatever you decide is OK with me.” Gabe says. “I’ve going to make an impression come on a tortilla, I’ll be back.”
“Sacrifice your vote and there’s no complaining.” Michael shouts to Gabe as he flaps those wings. “Now, we only have to agree.” he says to Raphael..
“Oh, we’ll never get this done.” Raphael says.
“We will, too.” says Michael with the utmost confidence.
“OK” Raphael says.
“I still vote for the Artist.” Michael states.
“But what about  the prisoner in Russia?” Raphael says feigning concern.
“You’re right he would boost the confidence of a nation in turmoil but he has to die, and he’s found peace in that. That’s impressive, to overcome instinct.” Michael says.
“And nobody has mentioned the steel worker, what about him? You said everyone is deserving.” Raphael says.
“Good point, Raphael, nobody mentioned him and we need to consider his case.” Michael says as Gabriel lands with a mad flapping of his wings.
“You still haven’t decided? Geez, I thought you’d be preparing to go.” Gabriel says with sweat on his brow.
“Not yet, I’m afraid. But now that you’re here we should finish this.” Michael says.
“He gave you his vote, what more do you need?” Raphael says.
“Compromise is the only way. Someone is going to have to compromise.” Michael says obviously focused, walking in a circle.
“But who?”Raphael says.
“Whom” Michael says.
“ OK, Dad!” Raphael shouts.
“C’mon guys,your problems are petty, put them aside.” Gabriel says. A couple whole minutes of silence went by.
“OK, I’ll compromise, I’ll vote for the political activist.” Michael bows to Raphael just to get this done.
“But what about the steel worker in Poland?” Gabriel says.

The Visitor Chapter 7

But still, the idea that she could convince Congress of the things that are going to destroy the planet, ultimately, is a pretty far fetched idea. So Nancy thought, but she would never tell her enthusiastic friend because after all, maybe hearing it from someone from another planet is just what needs to happen. And Nancy laughed inside when she thought of it, a woman, no less. That was fantastic,she thought.

Being newly divorced, Nancy was feeling her feminine power and loving it. She was a strong woman and having no one to rely on has been a blessing. And taking Sera in has been her best move since getting divorced. She was happy again and was pretty enthusiastic herself about watching her friend tackle a mostly male institution.

Sera was beginning to feel. She was not supposed to be able to feel, not in the human sense, but she was beginning to. And the first emotion she felt was excitement. For the chance to effect an entire race of life on a foreign planet excited her, she felt the weight of her presence here. And the importance of every move she made. Nothing was casual any more, everything took on a new importance. But this didn't change the fact that she was unfamiliar the nuances of being human. But she thought the ability to feel might help.

The three course Vegetarian lunch that Nancy made was nearly done. She made some berry tarts for dessert. With wheat flower and egg whites,of course.

“Enjoy lunch?” Nancy asked while Sera helped herself to a second tart.

With her mouth full, “Oh, I'm sorry did you want this one?” a considerate Sera said.

“You're not so naïve when I get to know you.”Nancy said. “You just look naïve, we'll have to change that with make-up. Don't get me wrong you're a beautiful girl as it is, but a naive beautiful girl. Some eye liner and a little shadow will fix that. Let's go, get up, we're gonna fix this now. Just for practice and maybe you can learn to do it yourself.”

Sera reluctantly put down the tart and got up from the table to follow Nancy. Nancy made herself like a fighter everyday, she could surely make Sera look formitable.

They got to Nancy

s bedroom. She had pink carpet and white curtains with a valance of satin. Her bed wasout of a magazine and looked like it had never been slept in. The bedspread was beige and the satin reflected light, softly. An abbreviated red canopy topped off the room. Candles burned in the corners of the room and incense floated like low clouds finding their own level about waist high. There was a vanity that reflected the color of the room with a stool.

“Here, here, sit on the stool and face the mirror.” Nancy said.

“OK, alright” Sera obeyed not sure what to expect.

Your curls are beautiful don't ever touch those, no dye, no nothing, just condition it and do not use a blow-dryer! Now your eyes. We'll start with eye-liner on the inside,not out, of the lid. It may be uncomfortable at first, but whoever said that being pretty was easy. And then some eye shadow to deepen your eyes and add mystery. Maybe a touch of blush, and then maybe not, your cheek bones are high enough. Now to do it. C'mere, she straddled Sera's right leg and grabbed her jaw. She started, dragging the eye-liner pencil along the edge of Sera's left eye. Then she rounded the upper lid. Nancy quickly scratched her nose and repeated the process for the right. She finished unmounted Sera's leg and spun the stool around and took a step back. “Beautiful” she whispered to herself. No, were not done now, to smoke your eyes. She pulled out a well worn mak-up compact, opened it and re-mounted her leg and began wiping her eyelid with grey-brown powder. Sera's eye were emphasized with the liner but now they look like a fire at sunset. Nancy dropped the compact and said, “Genius!”And walked to the back of the room and spun around. If I was so inclined, I'd date you.

“What do you think?!” Nancy asks.

“It feels dirty but looks beautiful.” Sera said.

“The eye shadow is easy, it's the eye-liner that's a bit tough,” Nancy said.

“I can do it, just not everyday.” Sera admits.

“Now, you look a certain way, so you must act a certain way, you are the best. The most beautiful, the most talented, the most intelligent. People are lucky if they get to talk to you. Your chin is up. Your chest is out. You're proud and strong.”

“OK, got it, I'm the shit.” Sera said.

Laughing,”Where did you get that?” Nancy said.

“Television, it means the best right?” Sera said.

“We gotta take you out!” Nancy said truly enjoying herself.

“Where to?” Sera asked.

“To the opera, c'mon let's go. I have tickets for tonight.” Nancy said.”

“Seriously?” Sera asked.

“As a heart attack.” Nancy said. “Let's find you a gown.”

They had four hours to leave for the Opera. Sera tried on gowns for an hour, Nancy's wardrobe was that extensive. She settled on a turquoise Vera Wang Nancy just had laying around. She looked stunning, at five foot ten, she has a lot to show. 175Lbs. of confidence and sex appeal. The naïve little girl was now a title bearing WOMAN. But can she maintain it? Nancy will make sure she does. They got ready for the Opera and left early. Nancy drove her striped, two tone Jeep Cherokee.

“What's wrong, you look uncomfortable.” Nancy said.

“It's nothing.” Sera said.

“No, it' never nothing! Tell me what is wrong.” Nancy demands.

“OK, I didn't tell you but I'm having human feelings, that's not supposed to happen. I felt excited about my mission earlier and now feelings are rushing in like water.”

“Yeah, and...” Nancy twirls her finger.

“And from what I've read about feelings...I love you...I mean you take such good care of me, you're awesome...I love you. Sera said.

“I love you too sweetie.” Nancy spat out. Unprepared for such a personal touch. She actually pushed the brake when the 'love you' part came out. Nancy loved Sera like a sister. She figured Sera just discovered the emotion.

They went camping, to parks and libraries. Sera had to be reading a book all the time. She was fascinated by Astronomy and flight but her true love was biology. Learning the innards of life on this planet. She wants to talk to Congress. Nancy will let her try and offer assistance in any way.

They did a lot of talking on the ride back, so the idea of Sera loving Nancy wasn't a big deal. Sera was a virgin and knew not about carnal desires. Sera's love was caring, encouraging, unconditional. No sex to cloud the emotion. No co-dependency, just honest, pure, unadulterated love. Nancy saw this and was taken back,at first, never feeling that before. The car emanated Sera's emotion. She was like a child on Christmas, completely consumed by this new emotion she found.

“A planet with love on it will fix itself., I think my mission has changed.” Sera said.

The Visitor Chapter 6

“Ya' know I was wondering why you seemed so naïve.” Nancy said.

“Yes, I do suppose I'm a bit naïve.” Sera responded.

“I've only been here for six months.”

“How'd you learn Shotakovich so quick?”

“Music is something that I was programmed with, I guess,I can play anything I hear.” a humble Sera said.

“Wow, you are amazing. And your secret is safe with me.” Nancy said.

“Secret, I'm not supposed to be a secret, we want you to know that there is life out in space, just like we wanted to know, we feel it's important.” Sera said.

“Well, I'm not calling the media, those hounds would have a field day.” Nancy said. For now, it's just between you and I. So, what do you think of our little planet?”

“Having no point of reference I'd say it's volatile. With the nuclear war threats from the middle east and the hatred over different names for the creator, it's a bit ridiculous. Most of you believe in one God, yet you bicker over how to honor it.” Sera said as she dug into her Taboulie.

“You can't watch the news or read the paper, all that is made to keep us scared so we keep buying, spending money. Because if we don't spend money, the government doesn't get their taxes and the officials don't get paid. In America, sadly, the all mighty dollar reigns.” Nancy said as she took a bite of french bread dipped in balsamic vinegar.

. “So, who can you trust?” Sera asked.

“Really? Nobody.” Nancy said.

Sera was getting a look at America through a successful woman's eyes, and it wasn't pretty or harmonious. She thought it sad that the people did not enjoy where they were living more, they did not know how fortunate they were to not have sulfur shower three times a day or to have a sun that stayed long enough to enjoy. Not all occupied planets are in the “Goldie locks zone”. That perfect spot

where it hot enough for life but not so hot it fries the surface and cool enough to have a winter but not so cold everything turns to ice. The people of Earth don't know what they have and according to reading many different sources, they are destroying it with wanton disregard with their personal transporting craft that emit carcinogens not only bad for the planet but bad for them, as well. Causing lung problems in their children and even affecting the animals, of which they seem to have no concern.

The one's at home were expecting more advanced creatures than this. They expected to learn from them and not need to help them because they are in such desperate need. The best way Sera saw to help them was to remind them of what they have.

“What's with this global warming?” Sera knew all about it but wanted to get a citizens opinion.

“That, I'm afraid is real. Years and years of consuming crude oil from the Earth and the emissions that come from our cars from that oil are creating pollutants that are caught inside our atmosphere, heating up the planet, melting the polar ice caps, killing of species that depend on the ice caps. It's really quite disgusting. It took a vice-president, to risk his reputation, and produce a film explaining how it works, for people to finally get on board. To believe, sorry, I forgot, slang.

“Now this, I can help with.” Sera said.

“And how do you intend to do that?” Nancy said.

“Speak to the people in charge, of course.” Sera said casually.

“You mean the president?” Nancy said a little taken back.

“No, I've only been here six months and I know that the president doesn't run the United States, Congress does.”Sera said.

“So you intend on talking to Congress?” Nancy said in a disbelieving tone.

“Exactly.” Sera said satisfied.”I just have to figure a way to introduce the fact that I'm from another planet, and I want to talk to them about all the wars their involved in, directly and indirectly. This country is misguided by human greed and if you don't change soon, you along with the rest of the world will be in big trouble.”

“It's a tall order but I'm behind you all the way.” Nancy said.

“Somehow I knew you would be.”Sera said.

“But you cannot come off as naive, they'll eat you alive.” Nancy added.

Sera started studying the legislative process. Her ”human mind” was a bit more efficient than the average. She could assimilate information from a book just by flipping through every page a couple times. She doesn't need to spend time reading when her time could be spent elsewhere. She scheduled some time with her local Congressman just so he was familiar with her. Nancy taught her slang and figures of speech, to overcome her naivete. And took her through rough neighborhoods and introduced her to some of her friends that lived there so she could have practice hearing slang and knowing whats going on. Figures of speech she could learn from television, even though she really didn't understand it, or enjoy it.

The Visitor Chapter 5

“Yes, it's not everyday when your friend tells you they are from outer space. Don't talk anymore in here, let's go.” Nancy said.

They got outside and started walking down states street, coffee in hand.

“Do I have questions for you!” Nancy said amazing not scared or freaked out at all which surprised Sera.

“You responded commendably. I expected disbelief, horror and then questions. You skipped over the most uncomfortable parts, thank you, I appreciate it.” a meek Sera said.

“Well, I reserve the right to respond with disbelief, I think I'm just in shock.” Nancy said “OK, how human are you?”

“As human as you but I don't feel emotion like you, I'm here for a purpose.” Sera said.

“OK,how do you feel emotion and why are you here?” a curios Nancy asked.

“I notice emotion,so I'm not constantly being rude.” Sera said.

“Wow, I wish I could not feel emotion sometimes, like during my divorce.”? Nancy said.

“Don't say that, emotion I've noticed, is what makes you human. Although from reading the newspaper it doesn't seem like all of you have that proclivity.” Sera said. “There is so much violence in the world, and dislike and flat out hate. But it's nice here, you don't seem to live that lifestyle.”

“That's because of something else we humans have, and that's choice.”Nancy said.”I chose to educate myself so I could be a productive member of society.”

“Wow, this drink gives you energy.” Sera said

“You mean you've never had coffee?”Nancy exclaimed.”Hey, you never said why you were here.” Nancy said as she pressed the 'walk' button at the crosswalk.

“Well,let's wait until we get to the car.”Sera declares.

“OK I'm sure that's sensitive information.”Nancy said, Sera didn't say any thing until they were back at the car.

“Beautiful day.” Sera said.

“Yeah, that's part of the deal when you move to Santa Barbara, no bad days.” Nancy laughs and Sera follows suit. Let's go home and have lunch. They drove home in relative silence, Nancy saving her questions for a time when she could devote her entire attention to Sera. They winded their way up the hill toward Nancy's home and into the circle drive and they were home.

They came in the house and made their way to the kitchen where Nancy began making lunch.

“Now that I know that you're from outer space I can ask you what you really want for lunch and not just assume that you like what all Earth people like.

“Well,I don't like the idea of killing animals for food.” Sera said.

“Then you're a vegetarian.” Nancy announced.

“A, what?”Sera said.

“Someone who only eats vegetables and doesn't believe in the destruction of animals to sustain ourselves is called a Vegetarian.”Nancy informs.

“OK, thank you,may I say again, that you are taking this very well, do you really believe me?”

“Oh, sure, I guess I'm just lonely and don't want to lose you. And plus I can take you places and you fit right into my life. That's more than I can say for my husband.” Nancy said. “You're my best friend.”

“Why, thank you.” Sera said.

“Well, I just happened to take a class in Vegetarian cooking, so get ready, have you had Taboulie?”

“No, I cannot taste, like you can, I eat strictly for sustenance.”

“Wow, that's a bummer.” Nancy says.

“And slang escapes me, you'll have to explain.” Sera said

“A bummer is an unfortunate event. That's all, no tragedy.” Sophie finished preparing the food and came and sat down across from Sera, looking directly into her eyes.

“OK, you're an alien, you haven't told me why you are here and how you got here.”

. “I'm here to observe and help if necessary, I came here in a pod, a seed pod. I landed in the ocean, washed up on shore and bloomed into what you see before you, all in a night.” Sera said.

“So no space ship, no little green men?” Nancy asked.

“No, sorry, I'm not technically from my planet, I'm a probe, something sent out into deep space to find life.” Sera said.

“We do that too, but we don't put anything live on board, just cameras.” Nancy said.

The Visitor Chapter 4

“Here.”Sera said.

“Here, Santa Barbara​?” Nancy asked

“Yes, right from the ocean.” Sera said. Nancy giggled.

“OK, Sera.”Nancy said disbelieving.

But she was not lying, the seed she came from fell to Earth, landing in the Pacific and drifted, lonely, until it found the shore of Santa Barbara. When she burst from the seed in human form she immediately took on the characteristics of the natives. Her seed was the quickest gestation period man had ever missed. She came with knowledge but not with social graces and etiquette, but she was a quick learner. The initial part of her programming was to survive which she does as if it were human instinct. The next was to help using ways and philoNancys from her home, that were slowly coming to her through meditation.

Nancy and Sera got up from the lacquered piano bench and went into Nancy's room to dress, Sera not having any clothes. Nancy got a Sarong and a colorful linen blouse for Sera and sprayed perfume on her, which was a new experience. They were like old girlfriends. They prepared for a day out with a parasol, a wicker bag with food and a camera to document the experience.

“Raedy?”Nancy asked.

“Yep.” Sera said.

“Then let's go.” an excited Nancy said. Nancy hadn't had anyone to hang out with since the divorce and it was great fun for her to have a girlfriend. They pulled out of the circular driveway and weaved their way down the hill toward State st. to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Within minutes they were there, Nancy prepping Sera for what she was going to see. When they arrived Nancy was greeted with a hug from the curator and Sera was already lost in the bronze horse by Remington.

“Hello!”Nancy said. They fake kiss each other on the cheek.

“I trust you are well.”the curator said.

“Oh, very, and I have a friend I'd like you to meet,she's a musician, darling Sera!” Nancy calls.

“Oh, yes, hello.” Sera said in a shy manner.

“May we look?” Nancy asked.

“Please, be my guest” the curator said then disappears.

“I can't believe these were made by human hands.”Sera comments.

“They're amazing aren't they.”Nancy concurs.

They spent about an hour browsing through the Art, walked across the street to the cafe. As they were crossing a group of men in a car pass and make obscene comments toward them. Sera was confused and asked if that always happens. “More than I care to remember.”Nancy said. Then in the coffee shop people were jockeying for the best spot in line, not paying attention to the little old lady trying to purchase a coffee cup. Nancy and Sera just waited for them all to calm down. They got their coffee cup and sat down to chat.

“Like your Joe?” Nancy said. Sera looked perplexed.”Is your coffee good?”

“Yes,yes, it's great.”Sera said.

“I've been noticing something about you.” Nancy starts. “You're not from around here are you? You can tell me.”

“Are you sure?” Sera is apprehensive.

“Absolutely.” Nancy answers.

“Well, OK, I'm not from your city, state, or even country...I'm from outer space.” Sera finished. And there was silence as Nancy processed what was just said.”Nancy are you OK?”

The Visitor Chapter 3

Sera spent a lot of time meditating, it helped her contact her home. Everyone thought she was peculiar because she was not from here. Not the neighborhood, or state, or country but the planet. She only discovered this about herself when her Buddhist friend introduced her to meditation. Then she was able to recover lost bits of her memory. And her recurring dreams finally made sense.

Sera didn't grow up here, she sprouted from a seed. A seed that floated through outer space until getting caught in Earth's pull, careened into the Pacific and washed up on the shore of Santa Barbara. She sprouted into a full grown woman. Avoiding all the pains of adolescence. And Janie and Bob found her one evening wandering near the pier at practically dawn. Janie and Bob tool her back to their home and clothed the naked Sera and gave her a bed. Sera never told Janie where she was from and she never asked. Janie and Bob consumed a lot of alcohol and were in party mode most days.

Sera demonstrated phenomenal musicianship with Bob's guitar and he got Sera a job teaching string instruments at the local junior college. But then a man offered her a job to teaching his five year-old piano and she has been freelance ever since. Getting jobs mostly through word-of-mouth.

When Nancy came home from work at lunch, Sera had already taken a shower and was wearing some of Nancy's clothes. She had on a Serape and a Kimono she found at the back of the closet. Nancy was amused at her choice of clothing.

“You like being comfortable, don't you. You know that Kimono is from Japan and the scenes are hand painted?” Nancy explained.

“Oh, I'm sorry, do you want me to take it off?”Sera asked.

“No, no, I hardly wear it-I actually forgot it was in there, someone should get some use out of it.”Nancy said.

“Well, thank you.” Sera said.

“Did you have a good morning?” Nancy asked to see how she occupied herself. “You're so pale, you don't get much sun,do you?” she finished.

“Your garden is lovely, do you care for it?” Sera asked.

“No, I hire a man, who is great, he's Hispanic and his name is Raul, he comes twice a week.” Nancy informs.

The house looked just as Nancy left it. A bit nicer, actually. And Sera did no work.

“The house looks great!” Nancy remarked.

“Let me put on some sweats and will you show me how you play Shostakovich?” Nancy asks.

“It would be my pleasure.” Sera said.

Nancy went upstairs to change and Sera went into meditation mode. Something she does before she teaches. She practices transcendental meditation,she lets all her thoughts fly through her head until there there is nothing left but a quiet mind. With practice she has been able to achieve peace quickly then she thinks of what she is about to do. She may be not of this world but she inhabits a human body with a human mind and has to cope with the same challenges everyone does. Distraction, focus and rogue thoughts, there to take your entire mind away.

“OK, I'm ready for my lesson, instead of you paying rent or contributing to the household in some way, you can just give me lessons. Deal? Nancy said.

“Deal.” Sera agreed.

Music was a talent programmed into Sera upon her release into space. Her job was to find life elsewhere in the universe. She had been traveling for light years. Being a seed, she had it inside her to assimilate into whatever situation she found. When she was released into space, she wasn't even a she yet. She was an embryo,a spark,a particle. A mutate-able gene ready for any environment. Coming to Earth and being a woman was a chance encounter. She had been here for six months and just recently realized that she was not from here.

Sera was in teaching mode and it just came natural but her eyes were focused on the Art Nancy had collected. She was most fond of Basquiat. She liked the coloring of the skull. But she also had Some Pencil drawings from Dali that Sera recognized from books. When they took a break, Sera inquired about the Art.

“Oh, my husband wanted to invest in some Art but knew nothing about it. So, I helped chose pieces to buy. Which one is your favorite?” Nancy asked.

“I really like Basquiat because of how he came up but the St. Michael,by...is that Guido Reni?” Sera is surprised to see such a famous painting outside of a religious institution.”

“No, that's a forgery, a very good forgery but a forgery nonetheless. Their collectable ya' know, good forgeries, there are some people that only collect them.” Nancy explained.

“Is that Boticelli''s St. Michael?”Sera is excited.

“Are you kidding, sitting out in the in the open?” Nancy exclaimed

“It's a high quality print.” Nancy throws water on an excited Sera.

“And Raphael, I know Raphael when I see him, what's with all the St, Michael paintings?”Sera asked.

“Ya' wanna guess my ex-husbands name was?” Nancy asked rhetorically.

“Oh,I see.” Sera admitted.

“You seem to like Art, would you like to go to a gallery?” Nancy offered.“There's one down on State st. where I know the curator because we were always looking for new Art to buy, we could get in and be left alone to browse.” Nancy said. “Then we could get some lunch,or lunch before. Ya' know I've never asked you this before,” Nancy puts her elbow on the piano and props up her head with hand. Where are you from?”

The Visitor Chapter 2

Good, you're awake. I didn't know what I was going to do with this tray if you weren't, I almost dropped it three times coming up here.” Nancy said.

“Oh, thank you, you shouldn't have.” Sera replied, still with sleep in her eyes.

“Actually, I should, you weren't being treated right last night, and I know you didn't notice, but I did...alcohol makes people stupid, that's why I don't drink and I noticed you don't either. Your friend left you because her boyfriend had a lot, too much, and he was making an ass out of himself. I'm sorry, I hope you didn't mind sleeping here.”

“No, no, I slept great, this bed is very comfortable.”Sera said.

“I thought about it last night and you could stay here if you want, I'm divorced and have this whole house to myself. Just me and my pets” Nancy said.

“But what about Janie?” Sera said showing loyalty.

“What about you? She didn't think about that last night.” Nancy said.

“You could play the piano all that you want.” Nancy was trying to entice her. She really did not like living alone.

“Only if I wouldn't be crowding you.” a concerned Sera said.

“Crowd me? I have three floors and six bedrooms, no, you won't be crowding me.”Nancy answered.

“Well, OK, Janie's is a little crowded.” Sera agreed.

Later Janie called to see if Sera was OK. Nancy read her the riot act for leaving the poor girl in an unfamiliar place when she new in town. And then explained that Sera would be staying at her house from now on. Janie sounded relieved and that made Nancy more upset. Was she putting herself out by helping another human being? Nancy was disgusted.

Nancy was a real estate broker and had a lawyer husband, the pair worked good together, but home life did not work so well. She got the palatial mansion in the divorce settlement. She found the house, she set up the buy, and she dealt with escrow but her husband, being a lawyer, made more money than her on paper. But if you count the properties Nancy owned, they were equal. In court, her husbands territory, the judge was convinced that he was the sole bread winner in the relationship. But she didn't go down without a fight. She hired the best lawyer in town, and being that this is California he had to split that sole bread winning in half, but Nancy just wanted the property. She had her own money. They didn't have any children, Nancy was thankful for that. So, having Sera, who was impeccably dressed in a off-white satin ball gown with complementing accoutrements, wold be a welcome addition.

The next morning Sera was up early making breakfast for Nancy. The coffee woke her up.

“Oh, you don't need to do that.” Nancy said.

“Yes, I do, after all that you've done for me.”Sera said loudly as she turned an omlette in the pan.

“Wow, you play piano, and you cook, you're gonna fit right in here.” Nancy said.

“Have some coffee, I just brewed it.” Sera said.

“Actually the coffee maker is just for company, I use a coffee press.” Nancy said.

“Oh, I didn't know.” Sera said.

“And how would you, you were doing me a favor, I see that and I appreciate it. You got the house smelling like coffee. That's good.” Nancy didn't want Sera thinking that she wasn't appreciated because she was, not even her husband cooked breakfast for her.

Breakfast was served on clean white china rimmed in gold. The table was glass with a thin white muslin cover. They sat across from each other sipping orange juice, energizing for the day.

“Those people are not your friends.” Nancy said.“They probably helped you because they knew it was right, but it wasn't from their heart”

“Oh, yeah. How do you know?”Sera asked

“Thirty years of observing people, that's how. Do you have a boyfriend?...Or a girlfriend?” Nancy asked as she stabbed a piece of omlette.

“You mean a romantic relationship?” Sera asked.

“Yes.” Nancy said.

“Well, no, I haven't figure that out yet.” Sera said as she reached for her OJ.

“Good, I'm mad at men right now and don't want to see any of them.” Nancy explained.

“How long will you be mad?” the innocent Sera asked. Nancy leaned toward her as if she was telling a secret.

“Maybe forever.” Nancy chuckled while she grabbed her napkin to wipe her mouth.

“So, what do you do?”Nancy asked.

“I teach music.” Sera said.

“Oh, yeah, where?” Nancy said.

“Wherever the job takes me.” Sera answered and was uplifted.

“Seems like you enjoy it” Nancy said.

“Very much.” Sera said completely ignoring her food, totally focused on the conversation.

“Look, I gotta go, I'm showing a house this morning, oh, yeah, I am a real estate agent. I didn't see a car outside, do you need a ride? Or anything?” Nancy said as she got up from the table and started gathering her things.

“No, no work today, and I'm fine. Thank you.” Sera said.

“Help yourself to anything you want to eat and play the piano to your hearts content, shower, there's clothes in my closet, help yourself to those, I should be back for lunch. Take care.” and Nancy was out the door.She wore a pants suit and was the epitome of professionalism Nancy was a driven woman, and when she had a feeling she went with it. She had a feeling with Sera. Her feeling with Sera was right on, Sera was not like other people at all. She did not have an ounce of greed in her. She was truly a special person.

The Visitor Chapter 1

Sera came to the party, invited by her dear friend Janie, but didn't quite know what to do. Not having many experiences with parties. She had the look of a 'babe in the woods' or 'a deer caught in the headlights'. She was new in town, coming from a place far, far away. She was a peculiar woman that not many people knew anything about except Janie, and she didn't know all that much. Sera had child-bearing hips, blonde curls like Aphrodite and lips like Nefertiti. She attracted mature men. But she was not interested. She was focused on the flora of the home that was decorated so beautifully. And the critters for whom the hosts shared their abode with. They had three dogs and two cats. The cats would not leave Sera alone. They saw her as a kindred spirit, the dogs were leery of her but did not bark. They just kept an eye on her, as if she was going to explode into another animal. But Sera learned quick by observing others and followed suit. She eventually made the rounds and caught up with the hostess.

“Are you having a good time?” she asked.

”Yes, wonderful, I love your home.” Sera said

.”Thank you, we do too.” She said.“And who'd you come with?” she asked.'

“I came with Janie, I'm sorry I haven't been to many parties.” Sera said.

“That's alright, just make yourself at home.” the hostess said,”And my name is Sohpie.”

“Thank you, Sophie.” Sera said.

Sera found the white baby grand piano that she saw when she entered the foyer upon arriving, and sat down to play. She started playing Shostakovich's symphony #5. She only meant to hear if the piano was in tune. It was and she got carried away. People from the party heard the haunting tune and went to see whom was playing. Sera was consumed with the music and didn't even notice. She had her head down and hands pushing down on the keys like she was part of the instrument. The crowd gathered in the doorway, with their Bloody Mary's, Martini's and Whiskey Sour's. The crowd leaned on each other, intoxicated by the notes emanating from the thick cords inside the piano. And intoxicated by their drinks. They were holding each other up, saving one another from the humiliating feat of falling down. But Sera was sober as a monk, getting drunk off flowing music she was creating. The crowd applauded when she was finished, everyone was there except for Sophie who was trying to clean up as the party went on, and a few new couples that were getting acquainted with the aid of Champagne.

The party went long into the night and whispers started going around that Sera was eccentric. Fueled, no doubt, by Janie's drunken lips. A small group of people were taking turns talking to her, each time prying a little deeper, then reporting back to the group with their information. Sera's naivete protected her from the pain of realizing what was going on. And her naivete kept her disengaged from the group. She was riding home with Janie, to her boyfriend Bob's house and was growing tired of the party.

“Are you OK?” a tipsy Janie asked.

“Yeah, just getting tired.” Sera replied.

“We won't be much longer.” Janie said, fighting not to slur her words.

“That's fine.” the ever gracious Sera said

After Janie walked away, Sophie approached Sera.

“You really tickle the ivories nicely.” Sophie said. Sera looked puzzled. “You play piano fantastically. Look, I overheard you telling Janie you were tired, we have a room upstairs where you can lay down, if you like.” a gracious Sophie said.

“Yes, I would like that.” Sera replied.

“Follow me.” said Sophie, abandoning the party for a minute.

“I studied piano since I was 7 years old and I cannot play Shostakovich like that, you'll have to show me sometime.” Sophie said as they mounted the arched stairwell going to the second of three floors in the house. They gabbed about music while walking Sera to the room.

“This is it.” Sophie said, “Like I said before, make yourself at home. There's a bathroom over there.” Sophie pointed to the far corner of the large room. “And use the covers if you want, we have a housekeeper.”

Sera woke the next morning still in Sophie's bed. She didn't know what happened to Janie. Just as she woke up Sophie entered the bedroom with a breakfast tray

The cost of materialism

It seems, in this country, that the strive for substance has fallen by the way-side in place of monetary gain. We have more pride in our bank account than we do the work that we do as human beings, or does anyone remember working for humanity? That was the ‘60s. Making the world a better place for the next generation. Our children will inherit the mess we’ve created or the the investments we make. It’s our choice.
But the media ie., music, television, and movies rarely carry a message of hope or help. Instead they focus on re-hashed concepts from past successes. Ideas have NOT dried up. The nepotism in media is killing creativity. Promoting a singer into acting or an actor into a painter. The cult of celebrity is this nepotism. We can’t get enough of a certain celebrity and sacrifice new artists whom are probably better than the celebrity at the new fame that they’ve been given. Fresh faces don’t seem to be welcome anymore. Imagine passing up an Andy Warhol or a Jimi Hendix, it’s inconceivable.
The best artists, these days, reside underground. Disenfranchised with the politics of mainstream, and big money, enterprises. Recording contracts that dictate what you say in your lyrics, publishing contracts that include a heavy-handed editor. There does not seem to be a venue for true art anymore. Hard core political hip hop artists cannot, and does not even want, the big deals more impotent artist get. What happened to change? If you don’t promote the status quo you cannot find someone to help you get your art made, so there is no other choice than to go underground and sell your art out of the back of a car.
Monetary drive is a sickness that is bringing down the soul of this country. It’s almost if we have no soul already. We will be playing catch-up if we care to change our ways. If we don’t then we’re on the right path to a substance-less existence. And our children will learn to despise us for GOOD reasons. We sold them out almost from the womb. We teach dollar-worship to kids without even thinking about it. Actions speak louder than words and when you come home from work and don’t want to do anything that enriches your life, that shows kids that all that matters is the quest for cash.
How many diamonds do you need before you look into how you really got them. It’s not a pretty picture but unfortunately, it’s the way of this country. Find resources that are marketable, go to the country with these resources and offer them products that we make in return for mineral rights. We come out on top on both sides, and the country that we use, is left with nothing. It’s happened more than once and diamonds are acquired this way. Gold is raped from South America and we have the nerve to make a TV show out of it. It’s disgusting the way we behave, no wonder so many other countries hate us. Our allies must secretly resent us for being top dog and never sharing the bone. This country has no conscience, no care for others and no thought to what making money has turned us into. You don’t want to immigrate to this country for religious freedom as it was founded on. Immigrants come to this country for the opportunity to make more money to support their families. At least immigrants come with spirituality from their home. Because they won’t find any here.
Mink coats, fast cars, Mansions. These are the goals taught to us. Acceptable goals. Celebrated goals. But where does there exist room for persona growth? Becoming a better human being, treating your fellows the way that you’d treat yourself. This country can take a lesson form the Buddhists in China. Learning to be happy material-less, finding peace inside themselves. Even ridding themselves of materialism in every way, yet accepting those who are. The US has nothing to do with ‘us’. It is all a play ground for those at the top, manipulating those below them to provide for a luxurious lifestyle for them and their family. They're plastic people, on the inside, and have too much power that they dont' even know, to them it's just a job, to us, it's just life. A stroke of a pen can change the day-to-day lives of hundreds of thousands of people. A stroke of the pen done at closing time as an afterthought. This must change. Getting to the point we're at was an inside job and I'm afraid that right now the room is crowded.

On love

        Love is a curious emotion only felt by humans, as far as we know. It stings, bruises, even breaks. It all depends on how honest you are to it. Floating on the love cloud, while comfortable as all hell, is destined to lead you astray if you don't drag, at least one foot, on the ground. I don't know if I ever want that feeling again. It can be all-consuming, as it did me, but I was young then and had never had an experience like that before. But at the time I would have sold out my own family for it, and eventually did.

       It is the highest high, the most potent pain reliever known to man. Grown men give up fortunes for, what they think is it, but instead is actually sex. As many romantic comedies as we watch, you'd think we'd have a handle on what love is, but I beg to differ. Men are visual and are handicapped when it comes to knowing what love is, because it has nothing to do with what a person looks like. With women, what someone say to her is more potent than the visual, which is terribly shallow. But ladies, love is not en capsuled in a phrase.Words are just words and if thought about can be used to manipulate, which you ladies are always at risk for.

        Long marriages aren't necessarily based on love, as one would think, they usually are kept going by one partner submitting completely to the other. True love rarely lasts because life happens. People are drawn away from each other by work or family or tragedy. Love is a wet bar of soap, elusive, as it should be. A high that good couldn't be easy to catch, that might lead to peace on Earth.

      It's funny to see “celebrities” pair up. It's as if they were told to by a fashion designer. Destined to fail. But all true love is destined to fail.

     To put it in a nut shell, loving someone is wanting the best for them even if it doesn't include you. Needing to have them is a poor excuse for love because it's selfish. Love is definitely not selfish. It is the antithesis of selfishness. Love is about service.

     I have had the fortunate opportunity to experience, what I see as pure love, twice in my life. Both times we were two ships passing in the night, but we saw eye to eye and cared for each others well-being. With only one did we vocalize our feelings for each other. It was during a good-bye hug. I did not weep until later after I realized what just happened. I kept in touch with her and continue to keep in touch to this very day.

      We can truly love each other. Everyone. But not throw those words around as a complimentary gratuity. They're meaning can bring life or kill. But if we as a species can honestly want the best for each other we will survive but until we can we are at risk of peril. I believe that it is possible, but I've been known to be a dreamer.