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By Misti Date: 2002 Jul 16 Comment on this Work [[2002.07.16.01.06.5142]] |
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She was standing on a balcony that overlooked the moonlit Pacific. She was holding a cigarette in her right hand and a glass of white wine in her left. "If you squint hard enough maybe you can see Catalina." She turned around and saw Harold Anderson standing there with his cigar and Scotch on the rocks. "You're always wisecracking, Anderson. I'd like to be alone with my thoughts if you don't mind." "What's wrong, baby?" "Don't call me that. I'm not your baby. Look at these tears. My makeup is ruined. I can't go back in there. I don't want anyone to see me like this." "I'm sorry, Jericha. Have I ruined our friendship?" "How can you ask me that with a straight face? Friendship! You told me we were soul mates. I had my friend do your chart and it was obviously true. We have the same sun and moon sign and ascendant. Everything works for us. The universe conspires for us to come together. But all the stellar influences in the world cannot bring me back to your camp. You lied to me, Anderson. You ruthlessly betrayed me. I can never trust you or believe another word you say." Harold walked closer to Jericha. He pulled a white handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped the mascara streaks off Jericha's face. Then he kissed her swollen lips. "When did you get collagen injections, sweetness?" "I didn't. I'm so sure. I had an allergic reaction to the Purple Passion Punch. Just one more thing to be embarrassed about." "No, they're sexy that way." To prove his approval, Harold gently sucked on Jericha's bottom lip. "Get away from me before I scream bloody murder. Go back to your wife," Jericha said, pushing Harold away. "I don't love Sondra. I love you. Divorce takes time," Harold said. Jericha laughed harshly and sipped her wine. "Why are you so angry? When I married Sondra I didn't know I had a soul mate out there waiting on me to find her. Sondra was a decent kisser, she had excellent hygiene and she enjoyed deer hunting. That was enough to satisfy me. I didn't know about you. Damn it all to hell, we should have met in kindergarten." Harold threw his arms around Jericha and held her tightly. Jericha sobbed. Harold's twin brother Chad appeared. Chad looked just like Harold but was nothing like him. Chad had suffered head trauma when he was eight. He had the mentality of a six year old. As far as Chad knew, he didn't have a soul mate. "Hey, Harold. Hey...what's your name, again?" Chad asked. "Jericha," Jericha said with a sigh. "Jericha. That's really pretty. Hey, Harold...I've got to go to the bathroom." "Chad, can't you ask Tim where the bathroom is located? This is Tim's home. You know Tim." "But he went to the store to get some more party stuff. His wife scares me." "Lindsey is a very nice lady, Chad. She'd be happy to show you where the bathroom is." "I don't trust her. She laughs at things that aren't funny. She laughs all the time. I told her how much I liked the spicy peanuts and she laughed. Wasn't that weird of her?" "Not really. She's just a merry person. You shouldn't take offense." "Oh. Okay." Chad went back to the party. "I feel so sorry for your brother," Jericha said. "Why? He's happy. He doesn't know that he's handicapped. Ignorant people are the happiest people in the world. My slightly higher than average IQ has caused me a lot of misery." "I know what you mean. Well, I'm going for a swim." "In that dress?" "No. In my bra and panties. Don't tell anyone." "Can I swim with you?" "No. Go back to Sondra. Forget you ever met me." "I can't do that." "Try really hard. Goodbye, Anderson. Better luck the next time around." Jericha walked away. Harold went back to the party. When he saw Sondra laughing with her friends, Harold realized that he could have it a lot worse. His life would be mediocre without Jericha. But it wouldn't be unbearably awful. |