The Fight Within (32 page)

What are you doing?
–Sapphire Storm

I’m listening to music. You like the Goo Goo Dolls?
–FINDERKEEPER

Never heard of them.
–Sapphire Storm

What? Are you serious? I disown you, Sapphire Storm. Whip out your good ear and check this out.
–FINDERKEEPER

LOL, I’m sorry! Okay…
–Sapphire Storm

Oh boy, that’s nice. Goo Goo Dolls?
–Sapphire Storm

Yeah, the song is called ‘Iris’. One of my favorites.
–FINDERKEEPER

It’s really nice… We haven’t chatted in weeks…
–Sapphire Storm

I know, I’m sorry. Been busy with school and other stuff.
–FINDERKEEPER

Yeah, my boyfriend is finishing up his schooling, too.
–Sapphire Storm

Boyfriend? That’s the first time you’ve called him that to me. Wow. So this official, huh?
–FINDERKEEPER

LOL, yeah, we’ve been together for a while now. He’s great, FINDERKEEPER. Thanks again.
–Sapphire Storm

Why are you thanking me? I told you, I didn’t do anything.
–FINDERKEEPER

Yes, you did. You helped me keep giving guys a try after all of my dating nightmare tales. You’ve been busy, but still managed to make time for me. I really appreciate that.
–Sapphire Storm

Yeah, well, okay. I think I’m going to break my own rules for a second. I’m taking a chance here, breaking out of my superstitions, but school isn’t the only reason I’ve been missing in action. That woman I told you I met? Well, we’re together in a relationship too now. Things are going really well.
–FINDERKEEPER

Oh that is great! I am so happy for you!
–Sapphire Storm

Looks like our lives are in parallel right now. That’s kinda cool.
–FINDERKEEPER

It is. You know what else? My guy is Irish, just like you! LOL
–Sapphire Storm

Hey, you know a good thing when you see it. LOL.
–FINDERKEEPER

LOL. Yeah, he’s great. FINDERKEEPER, I need to talk to you. I feel bad about something though.
–Sapphire Storm

What’s that?
–Sapphire Storm

You and I’ve been honest with one another, or at least I have, except for one thing.
–Sapphire Storm

I haven’t lied to you about anything. So what did you lie to me about?
–FINDERKEEPER

I feel bad about it now. I lied to you about one thing when we were first chatting online, FINDERKEEPER.
–Sapphire Storm

What? Just tell me.
–FINDERKEEPER

I don’t know why I did it. Well, I guess it was to keep myself somewhat anonymous at the time. You asked me if I’d been married before, and I said no. Truth is, I have been. I just want to come clean because it has been bothering me. It was not a good marriage, very one sided and he was verbally and emotionally abusive to me.
–Sapphire Storm

Hmmmm, I see. Sorry you went through that. Is that the only thing?
–FINDERKEEPER

Yes, that’s the only thing I was deliberately untruthful about. I was still pretty new to this online chatting stuff, and I didn’t want anyone to know who I really was. I didn’t know you, and in case you were some crazy person, I didn’t want you to be able to find me or anything like that.
–Sapphire Storm

That’s fine, I can understand that, I suppose. Now that we’re beyond that, let’s catch up. Do you have any kids?
–FINDERKEEPER

Yes I do. Two. What about you?
–Sapphire Storm

No kids. I like kids though.
–FINDERKEEPER

That’s great. Again, I’m sorry for lying. That’s not like me. I feel pretty shitty about it. I guess because I pride myself on being an honest, trustworthy person.
–Sapphire Storm

Forget about it. I told you I understand why you did it. It doesn’t change anything. It’s not like we’re a couple or dating or anything. Then it would be a problem.
–FINDERKEEPER

Right. LOL. True. Let me ask you something.
–Sapphire Storm

Ok.
–FINDERKEEPER

Are you in love with the woman you’re seeing?
–Sapphire Storm

Yeah, very much so. When I open my eyes in the mornings and look up at my bedroom ceiling, I don’t see the light fixture or the sun peeking into my window. I only see her.
–FINDERKEEPER

Damn that was beautiful and took me off guard! LOL.
–Sapphire Storm

Why?
–FINDERKEEPER

Well, you don’t usually say stuff like that.
–Sapphire Storm

I do, you just don’t know how I behave when I love a woman. This is typical for me. It’s been a long time though. I’m a little rusty at it, but getting my sea legs nevertheless.
–FINDERKEEPER

That’s wonderful, FINDERKEEPER. No wonder we’ve been talking less, lol.
–Sapphire Storm

Yeah, now we know why we’ve been talking much less, but I’m still here if you ever need to talk, okay?
–FINDERKEEPER

Thank you! I appreciate that. I extend the same to you, FINDERKEEPER.
–Sapphire Storm

Thank you. Get some sleep. We’ll talk again. When that will be, who knows – but I’m certain it will happen again. You’re good people, Sapphire Storm.
–FINDERKEEPER

You are too, FINDERKEEPER. Goodnight and thanks for being a friend.
–Sapphire Storm

Golden Girls just came to mind.
–FINDERKEEPER

LOL. Your girlfriend is a lucky lady.
–Sapphire Storm

So is your guy. I guess Irish luck in this case is real. LOL. Good night, Sapphire, and may all of your dreams come true…
–FINDERKEEPER

*

“You can’t be
serious.” Treasure swung her coral and taupe purse over one slumped shoulder as they exited the Thai noodle place that left her stomach embarrassingly packed and filled to capacity. The man was introducing her to places she’d driven by countless times, but never noticed, and worse yet, the meals were incredible and savory! Sean had a way of knowing good food; she supposed he was rather resourceful, a skill she’d lost along the way.

She remembered what it was like to have daily ramen noodle meals, and pay for schoolbooks by giving blood and plasma. Then, if all else failed, hawking a coveted piece of jewelry. She recalled what it felt like to work several jobs, get only two hours of sleep, and have to cram in studying right before a big test, after which she’d barely have enough energy and money to purchase, let alone eat, a bowl of cheap, store brand cereal. Those days may have been over, but they were
never
forgotten. She squelched a belch, refusing to do such a thing in front of the man, then grimaced as she ran her hand along her stomach. She’d overdone it, and her slightly poked out blue and gray striped shirt was proof of such gluttony.

“Why not?” They stood in front of the psychic parlor that glowed an alien spaceship. She said nothing as he pointed to the neon green Hamsa hand, as if that would somehow put her at ease, bring her to his side of the fence.

“Sean, I’m not going in there.” She wrapped her arm around his and bit into her lower lip, stifling a chuckle. The whole thing was just plain silly, and lest she admit it, the idea of it all made her a tad bit uneasy. For a split second, she forgot about the crazy man’s suggestion, taken as she was by his intoxicating scent. He always smelled good. How ironic, funny, but downright lovely that his flesh smelled so divine. Yeah, the garbageman smelled like Gucci’s ‘Guilty’, which made her crave him a bit more.

“What cologne do you have on? I always smell it on you but never asked.” She hugged him a bit tighter.

“Gucci…you like it?”

I knew it!

“Yeah, it’s nice.”

She smiled, feeling his warm breath against her ear when he spoke…and not only that…

His hard body—a thing of beauty.

Oh God, his arms…so big and solid…

She leaned in a bit closer, wrapped herself a bit tighter around him, feeling a little crazy for loving on him so. Yet, a sense of peace settled on her, too.

“It’s just something to do.” He shrugged in his ‘no biggie’ way. “Hey,” he said, lifting her chin to make her look into his glorious face.

Oh my goodness, he is so sexy…and his kisses make me feel like I am floating.

She gave an internal squeal, enjoying herself to the hilt. They’d been working on spending more time together, meeting up for a coffee here and there. It seemed the man kept an even busier schedule than her own as of late, but they
made
the time, squeezing in a few minutes where there seemed to be none. He’d send her all sorts of text messages, mostly funny ones. She appreciated those the most, for her current life seemed to be no laughing matter. He provided a reprieve, a break from her warped reality. He was her hidden paragon, a secret dressed in the precious jewels of her mind, surpassing her wildest inclinations and imagination and weaving wisdom into his comedic declarations. Sean possessed the kind of intelligence that didn’t scream at you, but you’d see it, hear it, and know his aptitude was nothing to scoff at. Although pretentious, he wasn’t a show off, but simply Sean. He knew what he knew, and he didn’t make a big deal about it. He’d learned his lesson, and handled her more gently now, giving respect in order to get it. And he worked hard… Hell, she found that downright sensual all by itself.

“Have you ever been to a psychic before?” she asked as they moved out the way for a large group of boisterous pedestrians.

“Nah, never. I saw the place just now and thought, ‘This is just some shit to do.’ If you really don’t want to, we don’t have to.”

“You know what? It really isn’t a big deal so what the hell, I’ll try it. I’ll step out of my comfort zone, but remember to take this with a grain of salt.”

“I prefer pepper…”

“Is that some sort of racial joke?” She smirked, egging him on as he opened the glass door and stepped aside, allowing her to walk over the threshold.

“Racial joke, huh?” He smiled. “Maybe you should ask the psychic,” he teased as he intertwined their fingers in a hand embrace. The place was filled with wall-to-wall curio cabinets, all cramped together with displays of smoldering pipes, brass herb pedestals, colorful tapestries, and what appeared to be glass figurines inside of a large bowl. The scent of smoky incense and sweet mulberry scented candles hung in the air. They stood in the restricted foyer area, looking at tables covered in dusty wares, odd things she’d never seen before. One large wicker basket was filled with what appeared to be tiny witch brooms, or possibly freshly rolled blunts. She chuckled at the notion as she read the little card beside the basket that read,
‘White Sage Smudgers’.

Hmmm, strange…

On another table sat what appeared to be needle and thread and next to those, black and white skinny candles with price tags wrapped around each one.

“Hello?” Sean called out in his customary loud way as he released her hand and explored around him. With heavy footsteps, he moved about, picking up things here and there, taking a curious gander. Just then, a petite attractive woman that seemed to be in her early 50’s appeared, her hair blowing gently behind her, as if a fan stood nearby. Olive skin was paired with some of the darkest, most soulful eyes Treasure had ever observed and it looked as if the room grew a bit warmer after she entered, looking the part dressed in a colorful floral print blouse and dark pants. But Treasure didn’t believe in such stupid things, and dismissed the tingly sense she got from the woman. But, it continued. Before she’d even spoke one word, Treasure sensed a gentle presence about her, as if she were an enchanting entity, a calm wind, a gentle soothing soul like a lozenge against a sore throat.