Salomè

Salomè insisted on paying for brunch and after some “let’s split the bill between us all!!” she prevailed, and paid. They gathered their belongings and sashayed out of the courtyard, through the restaurant and out the front door into the parking lot, well all except Isabella, she was delayed by a very handsome, very tall and, looking very wealthy man in a dark suit who by looks of it, the group gathered, was hypnotized by her everything. Isabella threw her head back and laughed her exotic laugh, winked at the handsome man as she walked away, ever so slowly tossing her curvaceous hips from side to side, purposefully.

Standing in the parking lot in silence, looking at the cloud formations, all the girls were lost somewhere in thought, all most likely thinking the same thoughts and to confirm , they all reached out simultaneously to grab one another’s hand. Salomè walked a bit to her left and formed a circle when she latched on to Juanita’s. Once they connected palms and the circle of safety was formed, they all smiled for they all shared the love for the Mayan legend of the circle of friends, Filomena had gifted them each with a a clay candle holder – celebrating the symbolic bond between close friends. A moment of silence when Juanita said; “Let’s go.“

They decided to ride together in La Gitana’s Red Jeep Wrangler, the soft top was off as were the four doors, She saw the look on Filomena’s face and sang out loud “cuz I’m FREEEE, free falling” and followed with, “get in the jeep Mother Teresa and buckle up for safety.” Salomè began to laugh so hard she huddled over, Filomena rolled her eyes and sat in the middle of the back seat, wedged between Juanita and Isabella. La Gitana drove as Salomè was setting up her bluetooth and decided on some Chris Bodie – the Jazz was soothing and calming and the girls were happy.

Thirty minutes later they arrived at the park, La Gitana found a shaded spot and turned into it. They sat for a moment before Juanita opened the door and jumped out, followed by Filomena. La Gitana & Isabella jumped out and began stretching, they were a bit nervous as they pretended not to watch Salomè, as she sat looking out of the windshield and holding the package, the girls noticed her lips moving when in a split second, she too jumped down. They all looked knowingly at one another, she did the 5,4,3,2,1! count down. She had package in one hand and a cigarette in another and towards the bridge they went.

They all sat down with their legs hanging over the side, feet facing the river below. Salomè in the middle, Juanita directly to her right then Isabella, La Gitana directly to her left, then Filomena. Stunning beauties, they were all sitting there like little girls swinging their feet. A young couple walked by and literally stopped and stared for a moment until the female said “WOW, you are all so very beautiful” they smiled and gave Thanks, although they were told this all the time, they somehow always seemed shy when it happened. they were a humbled lot.

After a moment Isabella said “Tell us the Christmas Eve story again, it’s my favorite” Juanita whispered “how could you?” Salomè smiled and said; “it’s my favorite too.” She took in a deep, slow breath and traveled back to that moment and the storytelling began –

She began but not before she felt her body covered in goose bumps and felt a slight quiver in her voice yet, she excitedly pushed forward, she shook it off and looked at the girls, Isabella was smiling from ear to ear.

Christmas Eve 2018, I drove to his house and I as pulled into his driveway I had a rush of emotions, I was a hell of a lot nervous, like a high school teenager meeting her crush behind the bleachers, I felt giddy and cold – it was fucking cold that night. I walk up to his door and I saw him, through the glass, walking with such a tranquil ease and a smile that could melt an iceberg. He reached the door and as I walked through the threshold, I felt, I felt,… – Salomè paused for a moment to take in the facial expressions of the girls for La Gitana, Isabella, Filomena and shockingly Juanita were sitting upright yet leaning forward making sure to catch every single word she said.

She continued, “Once inside, I was greeted with a strong energy that whispered – “Relax & Enjoy the moment” I did just that, I removed my shoes and walked into the living room, barefoot. I was greeted by the cackle of the fireplace that beckoned me to sit close, it was then that I noticed the bottle of red wine waiting to be poured into the elegant crystal glasses, to be tilted towards our lips and swirled onto our palettes so that it can dance an Enchanting Tango on our tongues, provoking an intense sensation in our center.” Filomena asked, in her soft voice, “Did he scoop you into his muscled arms in front of the warm fireplace?” She answered; “Yes, yes he did and for longer than our 20 second healing hugs we always shared.” She went on to describe how they sat on the carpet in front of the fireplace, drank wine and ate dark chocolate as they exchanged gifts, conversed and laughed. “After the second glass of wine he took me by the hand and guided me towards the bedroom” he was such a man of ease she thought out loud, she smiled as her eyes filled with tears. She continued; “He pulled the soft, yet heavy blanket back and invited me to lay in the comforts of his plush bed, besides him, as he wrapped his arms around my shoulders.” Salomè now had a stream of tears rolling down her cheeks and whisper “I’m sorry, I can’t.”

The girls, in unison, rose up quietly from the side of the bridge and each one tended to her, they wiped her tears, rubbed her back, held her hand and soothed her with words of strength. Her Tribe of Magic and Chaos, where would she be without them? she asked herself, as this love pouring into her was taking place.

Juanita spoke first and said; “Let’s do this already! no more unhealthy walks down memory lane, for that is the past and you no longer live there, you have begun healing – you revisited that space, you enjoyed it, you lived it, it was real, everything that happened between Gonzalo and You was real, but now, now it is over and this my beautiful sister is also real.”

Juanita picked up the package and handed it to Salomè. She was shaking as she began to peel the tape off of the box, THEY ALL WERE SHAKING. La Gitana, the adventurous one who thrives off New Beginnings, raised her cigarette and said; “Vamos pasar pagina YA!” (onto the next chapter)

Salomè walked over to the well worn wood rail and placed the box down, she reached inside for the package and as she removed it from the box a sob caught in her throat, “the day has arrived to finally follow through and complete the finale of this circle” she quietly thought. The girls were besides her in an instant and, placed their hands over her hands, together they lifted it up towards the Sun in salutations.

Salomè cleared her throat and shared her thoughts with arms stretched up, she said; “Gonzalo, You will dance across my thoughts and stir my spirit as I’ll feel your touch on my flesh from time to time and, I will smile, then, I will erase you. I lit the candle at both ends for you, while you kept me in the shadows and watched me burn out, leaving me in the dark, alone. May the God’s be good to you, in that you receive all that you deserve. I have ripped you from my heart!” They lowered the package, Salomè lifted the lid and together, they poured the ashes down towards the river, carried by the wind, into the Universe.

Adios Gonzalo – Adios mi Musa.