Waiting on the Stars - Chapter Five

Checking the time yet once again, Raiden anxiously wonders how anyone could be so consistently late.  Pressured to join in the outdoor activity to Oragone Falls, annoyed Raiden tries to fill his time by adjusting the stove and countertop to it's self-cleaning setting.

He finishes packing the Dream-Glyder, with the solar cooker for the barbeque.  The BBQ apparatus looks similar to a rainbow with solar panels that unfold to display the heating unit.  The panels are parabolic reflectors that induce heat up to 350 degrees to steam, roast, or fry delicious delights in as little as twenty minutes.  He throws in a couple of pairs of Fenix glasses that can see at night, provide up to date weather conditions and terrain, as well as a compass.  Packing a couple of portable rocking chairs with cup holders, hydrating backpacks, a global hotspot, and yeti cooler of items for the BBQ

Wearing his sapphire Tencel, merino wool, and nylon blend shirt to keep moisture from the skin, Crustidon superflap men’s leggings with matching hoodie in black, and his ultra train speed hikers, Raiden looks prepared for his outdoor adventure.  His leggings have a wrap around masculine skirt something like the old Scottish kilts that feature large pockets to carry a knife or other camping tools.

The lights flash on his music speaker as the doorbell rings.  “She finally made it” whispers Raiden to himself.

“Hello … it’s me … where are you?” sings Isla into the video box on the door adjusting her skirt and mini-top that do not look like she ever had any intention of spending the day in the woods.

“Are you going to be comfortable wearing that?” questions Raiden wondering if the plans changed that he may have not been aware.

“Yes of course, I’m wearing my ultra train sneakers, can’t you see?” remarks Isla modeling her new purchase for him.

“Do you want a hoodie to wear?” inquires Raiden suspecting the thin material will not keep her warm for very long.

“I guess.  It seems a bit chilly outside.  I don’t go out into the environment very often.  But can you find one that matches your outfit?” asks Isla always looking to coordinate whatever she wears. 

“I think my niece left one of her jackets the last time she visited, but it will probably fit you.  If not, we can stop and buy one for you” offers Raiden a little perturbed of the potentially even longer day.

“It’s fine.  I brought my lighted LED necklace in case it gets dark.  It has a compass on it too, but I don’t know how that works, do you?” sincerely asks Isla rarely outside of the boundaries of technology.

“Here you go.  Yes, I know how a compass works” replies Raiden judging her and wondering if she is being truthful with him and then considers her statement might be a fact.

Linking her arm with Raiden’s arm, Isla snuggles into him, “I’m so glad you are taking today off to spend time with me.  You’ve been so busy lately.  I think you have almost forgotten who I am.  But I would never let you do that you know.”

“As you are aware, I have been busy with the merger with the Elyson Foundation”, informs Raiden untwisting himself from her grasp “I’m sure you have plenty to do on your own when I am not around.”

“Someday I’m going to be spending every day with you so there is no way you will forget me”, teases Isla touching his hand and looking him directly in the eye.

“Who knows what will happen or where each of us will be, the future is uncertain”, Raiden returns not wanting to be put in a corner to confirm a more serious relationship between them that he is not willing or prepared to do.

Looking more deliberate and speaking in a direct tone, “I’m sure my brother’s investments into your company will guarantee a future for you, so you don’t need to worry about what will happen.”

Slowly Raiden strokes his chin and decides not to respond to her.  He grabs the last kit bag resting next to the door and heads toward the launch pad of his Dream-Glyder.

“Will your brother and sister-in-law be meeting us at the Falls or are we meeting them somewhere else?”, inquires Raiden relieved that others will be spending the day with them.

“Yes my sister, Eyta, is coming and so are my brother, Cohen and his wife, Morena” explains Isla disappointed that Morena had insisted on coming as well when Isla told her that they would be spending the day at the Falls.

“I don’t know how Morena ended up with Cohen”, remembers Isla “I was only a child.  But I liked Morena’s cousin, Adele, so much more. I haven’t seen her for years. She was a great babysitter and Cohen seemed to like her so much from what I could tell.  It never made sense that he married Morena rather than Adele.  While they were still engaged, I found a notebook that he had sketches in it of Adele.  I showed it to him, but he said that I should throw it away before Morena saw it.  He looked sad when he said it.  I’m sure he was in love with Adele rather than Morena.  I don’t understand how they ended up together.”

Considering some things that he did not want to share, Raiden responds “Some things are meant to be kept between two people, especially if it involves heartbreak or disappointment”

“Whatever, I think it is better to make good choices in the first place”, retorts Isla grabbing his hand “like I’ve chosen you.”

Moving his hand away from her and grabbing an ice drink container, “Experience and time often gives the answer to whether something or someone is a good choice or not. What still may be a good choice, may not be exactly the right choice for one person but the perfect choice for another.”

“I don’t know what you are going on about, but my family is probably waiting for us already at the Falls.  I ran a little late today because I couldn’t decide what to wear.  There are so many choices to be perfect you know”, explains Isla trying to assimilate with what Raiden has just said to her but not understanding what he was actually implying.

Flying over the urban center city, eventually they reach a dense wooded area near the staggered mountains of interwoven shades of blue and green.  The falls are within reach as the hear the thundering into the waters below them.

A voice announces overhead “Approaching Oragone Falls.  The portal is three miles east. You will be landing in 30 seconds. Prepare for your arrival.”

“Thank you, Myra”, states Raiden gathering his oversized bag of camping equipment together. “We will be leaving again in three hours.”

“I will be in hibernation until your arrival again at 4 pm”, responds the symmetric voice again.

“Why do you call your AI a name like Myra?  Why not something more modern?”, asks Isla. “My AI is called Dael, just like the amazingly handsome Fusion Vision actor.  He's so hot!"

“I like the name Myra.  I named my AI after my mother” explains Raiden wondering why a name of an AI would matter to her.

“Hi everybody! We’re here!” shouts Isla doing a rather childish toe trot to meet her family with her arm outstretched as if to hug them but does not.  “Did you wait for us for very long?  Raiden took forever to pack the glider.  He wanted to make sure I had everything I wanted.”

“Hi. How are you?” asks Raiden approaching the gathered group on the landing platform “I hope you didn’t wait too long.”

“Isla already explained why you are late”, offers Cohen taking one of the bags from Raiden’s shoulders. “Isla seems happy today, it's good to keep her happy. I never know what kind of mood she is going to feel the need to wear each day."

“Isla, where did you get those shoes?  I love them!” compliments Eyta envying the trendy if albeit peculiar, impractical, and expensive footwear “Did you see my new bag?”

“Maybe we should trade” suggests Isla admiring her sister’s newest purchase “that purse is absolutely gorgeous.”

“I’m not sure how a handbag can be gorgeous, but there are many things I’ve yet to understand”, murmurs Cohen glad to see another friend to spend the day with them other than just his wife and sisters.

As the group heads out along the trail to the picnic area, Morena announces “I don’t think I’ve seen so many birds in one place.”

“It’s beautiful here.  It’s one of my favorite places to hike”, shares Raiden admiring and picking up a colorful stone at his feet.

“I hope you don’t mind Raiden”, excuses Morena “I forgot to tell you I invited my cousin to join us for the BBQ today.  She recently returned to the city and I thought it would be a nice way to introduce her to the area again after so many years away.”

“Which cousin are you talking about?” curiously asks Raiden holding in his excitement for who this person could possibly be.

“I think you might have known her when you were younger.  I don’t know if you’ll remember her since it has been so long ago.  It’s Adele Elyson”, explains Morena “You probably don’t remember her, she wasn’t exactly someone like you would notice.”

“Yes, I remember Adele quite well”, responds Raiden not exactly liking Morena’s condescending tone and wanting to support his newly re-acquainted friend. "She's great.  She was lots of fun as I remember her."

“She used to follow my husband around everywhere before we were married.  I think she wanted to be me.  But Cohen couldn’t keep his eyes off me”, indignant if not accurate shares Morena “Isn’t that right, honey.”

“Whatever you say”, responds Cohen completely intentionally ignoring his wife before hearing the word ‘honey’.

“I think it was more like Morena following Cohen”, remembers Eyta whispering to Isla, who is still not an entire fan of Morena but resigned to the fact that her brother chose to be with her.

“Oh look, she must have heard us speaking about her”, chides Morena raising her hand as a megaphone and waving with the other, “Over here, Adele!  Look up here!”

About forty feet below the trail, Adele waves to the crowd gathered at a bench on the trail not too far above her.  “I’ll be there is just a minute!”

On the hill, Raiden turns his vision away from her, trying not to smile from his excitement at unexpectedly seeing her again. 

“I’m glad you could make it”, offers Morena “If there isn’t enough food for the BBQ, you can share with me.”

“Oh, were you not expecting me?  I don’t mind. I can make other plans, there’s a convenience shop at the crest of the mountain that has a café”, offers Adele slightly embarrassed to put the group in an awkward position.

“Morena forgot to tell Raiden you were coming.  He was planning the menu”, bluntly states Eyta quickly coming to Raiden’s defense.

“Don’t worry.  I brought enough for a week’s worth of food.  You can have as much as you would like”, sincerely offers Raiden hoping that Adele will feel welcomed and a part of the group.

“Uhhh … thank you”, offers Adele wondering if it was her cousin’s idea to invite her along or not.

Walking slightly ahead of the group, Adele is lost in her thoughts until she accidentally takes a misstep and slides along with the down the edge of trail.

“Be careful, the edge is rather dangerous, warns Raiden instinctively grabbing Adele by the arm pulling her away from the edge of the trail and closer to him.

“Thanks, I’ll keep a better eye on things”, agrees Adele sensing a spark of attraction from the simple touch on her arm.

“Raiden is always rescuing others”, explains Isla stepping between them breaking the grasp on Adele’s arm.  “He’s my hero."  Putting her arms around him with a huge hug and a kiss on the check to clarify with Adele that he is already taken in case there is any question.

“Adele always wondered off as a kid.  She’s a daydreamer.  If she’s not careful, we will find her at the bottom of the mountain”, suggests Morena desiring for the attention to be returned to herself “I can’t tell you how many times we found her reading a book under a tree or laying on a rock staring at the clouds in the sky while the rest of us were playing games or flirting with each other.”

“Yes, I guess that I did like to do my own thing a lot”, agrees Adele remembering writing poetry in her journals or spending the day reading a new book under the sky.

“I could never figure out what you found so fascinating about the sky or the outdoors” replies Morena with annoyance and disgust “It’s always too cold or too hot to bear it for any length of time.”

“I’d much rather be at a party than a BBQ, but since Raiden adores being outside, I guess that I have to compromise once in a while” pouts Isla having almost enough of the outdoors for one day.

“While you guys set up the BBQ, I’m going to go shopping at the convenience store.  Does anyone want to go with me?” asks Eyta tired of hiking.

“I think that I’m going to get a cappuccino”, suggests Isla “Wait up for me Eyta.”

“I’m going with you too.  I’m right behind you”, yells Morena fearing that she will be left out of something.

“Are you going?” asks Cohen looking at Adele wiping off the dirt from her boots.

“I’m fine.  I think that I’ll rest on this rock for a little bit”, offers Adele finding a comfortable stop and leaning back to look at the clouds in the sky.

“I’ll help you start the BBQ Raiden”, insincerely offers Cohen hoping that his offer will be declined.

“It’s all right I can do it”, states Raiden sensing the half-hearted offer.

“Okay, I’m going to the shop to charge my phone.  I think there is probably a hot spot there”, explains Cohen already headed further up the trail to the café.

As Raiden cooks the steaks, he watches Adele relaxing on the rocks.  She seems content to be where she is in that moment.

“Are you doing all right?” Raiden yells over to her after everyone has abandoned the BBQ for more desired things.

“I’m good!” replies Adele pulling out a newly released book from her backpack.

“What are you reading?” asks Raiden moving closer to her.

“I’m re-reading the books of Jane Austen”, explains Adele wondering if he will think of her classical version of chick-lit.

“Oh, I see” observes Raiden having a personal lifelong interest in reading “I personally like Tolstroy or Shakespeare.  But my favorite is Lord of the Rings.”

“I like those writers too, as well as the trilogy”, agrees Adele remembering discussing books many years ago with him.

Gathering his courage in that there are two of them for the moment, “Can I ask you something?  Why did you leave without saying goodbye?”  cautiously asks Raiden wanting an answer that he had been wondering about for years.

“Things were complicated then with my family”, cautiously begins Adele wanting to explain everything to him but unsure of where to start.  “I had lot of obligations to my family right then.”

“But why didn’t you say goodbye to “me”?” emphatically asks Raiden feeling as if she is not telling him the entire truth.

“Well, you see ….I couldn’t …” stumbles Adele trying to find the right words to explain their history.

“What are you doing? Trying to steal my boyfriend from me?” teases Isla but claiming her territory. She runs up behind Raiden and throws her arms around him, locking her hands across his stomach as she stands behind him.

“We were talking about things in the past” offers Adele moving away from Raiden and then towards Eyta not wanting to cause any issues with Isla.

“You better keep an eye on her, she might try to steal your man” taunts Morena grabbing her husband by the hand pretending to need his help to come down the trail to the picnic table.

Ignoring their comments, Adele opens her backpack and puts her book away. Eyta sits down next to her at the picnic table and gives her a reassuring look.

“These steaks are amazing Raiden.  I couldn’t have done a better job myself”, sincerely implies Cohen having never cooked food on a BBQ.

“Thank you, Raiden.  Next time we must invite you and Isla to our house for dinner.  Eyta, you can come as well and bring a friend so we can play games”, suggests Morena ignoring Adele sitting across from her.

“I’ll bring Adele with me” announces Eyta “From what I remember, she plays just about any game really well and she use to let us win most of the time!”

“Monopoly was the best.  We use to play for hours”, offers Isla “Of course, I always won.”

“You always cheated” counters Eyta still feeling sore from the memory of coming in second one too many times.

“No matter how I got there, I still won!” defiantly announces Isla slamming her fork down in mock agitation.

“I think you both maneuvered your own way to win the game” Cohen intervenes as the tension mounts.

“I’m ready to go home” states Morena feeling ignored and gathering her things together “Anyone else ready?”

“I still need to go back to the office tonight, why don’t you ride with your sister back to town”, suggests Raiden to Isla.  “It will take awhile to clean up here.”

“Okay. Adele came on her own, so I guess we will leave you to it”, agrees Isla having reached her capacity for enjoying the outdoors for the entire year at two hours and counting.

“Thank you everyone.  It was good to see you again”, warmly states Adele as she heads toward the café to purchase a bottle of water.

As she returns to the camp site after her purchase, everyone has left except for Raiden.  Adele silently helps him pack up the rest of the equipment and carry it down the hill to the launch pad.  

“Thank you for helping me”, returns Raiden not entirely sure how to begin to ask the difficult questions that he wants honestly answered.

“No problem, it’s the least I can do for being invited to join such a nice day”, explains Adele not knowing exactly what to say.

“About earlier, I didn’t mean to pry.  I thought that I would ask because it seemed rather abrupt the way you left”, explains Raiden wanting to prolong his departure and hoping to open a conversation again.

“I’ve wanted to tell you.  It was such a long time ago, but I didn’t think you would remember”, shares Adele “My dad was facing ….”

At that moment a hologram image of Isla appears on his wrist trying to reach Raiden. Not wanting to be disturbed, he interjects, “This can wait, I’ll call her back later.”

“No, go ahead and take it.  She might have forgotten something.  I need to be on my way anyway.  Thanks again!” offers Adele walking away from him towards her air-pod wishing that things had been different between them.

 

 

Waiting on the Stars - Chapter Four

 

Checking her reflection in the smart mirror, Adele examines her face while sitting at her vanity. To the left side it lists her schedule for the day, providing the outdoor and indoor temperatures, as well as projecting a streaming newscast.  Tapping the mirror, she programs her air-pod to prepare for her departure in one hour at 8:30 am.  The mirror informs her of how many minutes she acquired of REM sleep that night, her current weight, and hydration level. It also lists her network of friends to greet in the morning if she chooses to connect with them. As a final touch, her smart mirror is also an air purifier helping to create a healthy environment for her home.

Listening to music as she uses her facial steamer as it extracts particles from her pores, Adele feels cool and refreshed. Tapping the mirror with two fingers, it slowly scans her features for any blemishes or skin irritation.  Highlighting the image of her face, it points to some dryness on her forehead. Using an automated facial scrubber, any remaining makeup is removed.  She applies a magnetic face mask to lift any impurities replenishing her skin with a mixture of carrot seed oil, sunflower oil, vitamin C and E. Placing a small round brush on her cheek that attaches to her mask, it removes the magnetic treatment for a smooth clean finish.

Grabbing a small bottle of hydrating moisturizer, she gently rubs the cream until it is absorbed below the surface of her skin.  She waits thirty seconds and scans again to see that the cream has resolved the dryness issue.

“Please use the Sensation scent today”, requests Adele as the vanity sprays a light mist of hypo-allergenic fruit and floral scented perfume.  Adele applies the milk makeup holographic stick to enhance and lighten her facial glow.

Walking to her closet, she stands in front of her long dressing mirror as the revolving rack displays various outfits.  In the long mirror, an image of each item is projected on to Adele’s reflection in the mirror so she can visualize what each of these outfits will look like on her form without actually having to try one on.  Sorting through about twenty possibilities, Adele finally chooses her favorite lemon chiffon top with descending “v” collar and white matching slacks.  Glancing into her shoe closet, each shelf opens and then returns to its storage space.  She chooses a pair of yellow mobilizers that have a cushioned toe with quality arch support, however the shoes do not offer any heel decoration leaving an image of one dancing on their toes. Her shoes buckle at the ankle with magnetized fasteners for comfort that have been customized to her foot size.

Just before stepping out the door, she finds her mid-calf long sleeved coat with sides that have been diagonally “slashed” in the middle section, a trendy fashion detail, one of Adele’s recent splurges from the Holo-mall this past fall. 

“Vera, please turn out the lights and lock the door”, requests Adele as she steps onto the Air-pod porch and leaves her rental home. Touching a feature on her bracelet to identify her fingerprint, the air-pod releases the door locks, opening the air-pod for Adele to enter.  “Hello Vera, take me to Bank One on Aurora Place”.

As the air-pod moves swiftly past other vehicles on the airway, Adele relaxes into the comfort of her captain’s chair, reviewing the latest trends in advertising for travel. Images float in front of her as she considers the color, texture, and tone of each appeal.  She considers what features are attractive and that engage her to discover more information. Evaluating the emotional allure of each artistic piece, she determines the scale of their intrinsic value. 

Taking a momentary break from her study, Adele looks out her window to see Raiden in the air-pod next to her own.  Recognizing Raiden, she is excited to see him so unexpectedly.  As she is observing him, Raiden happens to look up and notice the woman watching him from the air-pod nearby.  Adele deeply blushes but nods on being caught.  Taking a minute to realize that it is really Adele just across the way from him, Raiden smiles politely and displays a short hand wave before his air-pod curves to the left to head to his workplace.

Upon reaching Bank One, Adele smiles to herself feeling as if the day will be a great day.  Adele slides her clear crystal savings bracelet into the kiosk.  A 'Fate' greets her, which Adele remembers is another name for a 'Financial-A.I.-Technician', “Hello Adele. Welcome to Bank One.  How can I help you today? Would you like to discuss your long-term savings plan?”

“I would like to look at real estate options in the Upper Crestwood Area”, requests Adele having previously entered her specified request for a home within her affordable price range.

Within seconds, 3-d images based on her savings plan appear before her. With recent neighborhood closing costs and values listed next to each image, Adele considers the options available to her. Adele moves her hands to sort through the images rotating in front of her.  As she focuses on the virtual 2-inch door with her retina moving her eyes to the upper right corner of the ceiling, the images enlarge so she can view the interior of the home.  Contemplating her dream plans, Adele sighs and wonders if everything will come together for her to work at Marks Enterprises.

After concluding her consultation, Adele deeply lost in thought contemplatively walks towards the air-pod portal. Her head bumps into someone standing in front of her.  She notices the thick black shiny boots perpendicular to her own shoes. Embarrassed but not looking up, she whispers “I’m so sorry, please excuse me.”

She hears a familiar voice chuckle, “What happens if I don’t?”

Adele snaps her head back to see Raiden standing in front of her with a teasing smirk. Adele whispers “Hi …”

“I didn’t expect to see you here.  Do you also do your banking at Bank One?” asks Raiden hoping that he might be running into her in the future as well.

“Yes, I was just looking into some realty options for myself”, Adele replies “I’m currently renting a household unit, but looking for a more permanent location to settle.”

“What area were you looking in?  Maybe I can help you.  I have several contacts in the real estate business”, offers Raiden wanting to feel useful and helpful to her.

“I’m looking into the Upper Crestwood area” offers Adele feeling slightly nervous that it might appear too obvious that she is planning on getting the position at his company.

“Really? I live in Upper Crestwood.  I definitely can be of help to you”, suggests Raiden considering that it might enable him to spend more time with her. “When are you planning to look?”

“I hope to find something this next month that is affordable and suits my needs”, anxiously Adele replies twisting her ankle to the side in a subconscious nervous moment.

Watching her ankle move in an old familiar pattern, Raiden is pleased to see a reaction that she is slightly nervous talking with him, “You don’t need to worry, I have some time available on Monday if you are free.”

“I don’t want to inconvenience you, but that would be fantastic!” exclaims Adele consoled that she will have someone much more knowledgeable about the process of purchasing a home with her.

“Shall we meet at my office at 10 am on Monday?” extends Raiden “If you’re not too busy that day, we can have lunch after viewing some of the locations.”

“Sounds great!  Thank you so much, I really appreciate your help” genuinely remarks Adele feeling as if their friendship has revived once again.

“Ok, I’ll see you then”, Raiden nods his head as he turns with a slight jump in his step.  After turning away from her, he can't help but to smile to himself as such a wonderful random future opportunity together.

Adele bites her lower lip as she slightly blushes, excited to be spending another day with her old friend.

Walking onto the air-pod portal staging area, she notices the woman from the hologram the other day exiting an upscale air-pod on the platform.  Pushing a ruffled teal jacket back onto her shoulder, the woman rushes in her four-inch heels into the bank appearing to be late for an appointment.  Adele wonders if the woman is meeting with Raiden, “Why am I even concerned?  I just saw him again after twenty years only yesterday.  I’m sure he has plenty of friends.  It’s none of my concern”.  However, her rationale does not console her internal discomfort.

“Vera, please take me to Starcups at Market Place Square” resigning requests Adele sliding into the plush chair. Adele pulls out a mirror from her bag and realizes she does not look quite as together as she had thought this morning. She grins at her image and confidently states out loud, “What does it matter? I am who I am. I don’t need to look like a model as that woman does. Being me is okay”, repeating what she had recently heard in a popular self-help podcast but not necessarily entirely believing the mantra.

The air-pod reaches Starcups where two of her newest friends are waiting for her.  As Adele approaches the table, Jennings and Alice Hammer appear to be in a confrontational conversation.  She can hear Jennings say, “No Alice, I don’t think chocolate and tomato sounds good together.  No, not even as a sauce”. 

Adele can see Alice Hammer shaking her head, “You just haven’t tried it.  You need to try my cookies! You will definitely change your mind.”

“No, I don’t think so.  Chocolate and tomato do not sound good together unless it is something like mole but then chilies and garlic are added.  I don’t want to eat spicy cookies”, assuredly Jennings replies having been tortured with other experimentations of Alice Hammer’s cooking and baking.

“They are not spicy, they don’t have chilies in them only a touch of garlic.  They are a savory cookie." offers Alice Hammer quite perturbed that her friend will not sample her latest cookie invention “I did put a secret ingredient in the batter though to make it taste even better.”

Deflecting attention, Jennings relieved looks over to see a new friend walking towards her, “Oh look Adele is here” pointing to a chair for Adele to sit next to Alice Hammer.

“You wouldn’t mind sampling a cookie, would you?” asks Alice Hammer holding a container of red cookies with dark brown chunks in them and other questionable items as well.

“Uhhh… sure”, answers Adele as Jennings furiously shakes her head warning Adele of future indigestion.

“Here you go, this one looks really good and it looks like it may hold all of the wonderful flavors I added”, excitedly points Alice Hammer to the largest cookie.

Adele carefully takes a bit and subconsciously chokes as large tears form in her eyes.

“The cilantro might get you a bit.  I might have added a little too much tabasco sauce”, concedes Alice Hammer considering how to adjust her recipe.  “How do you like it?”

“Don’t ask her that question, Alice.  She doesn’t know you, she won’t be honest with you”, adamantly argues Jennings taking a large sip of her drink.

Alice Hammer gives Jennings acute daggers.  “It’s because you don’t bake. You don’t understand the higher delicacies of confectionary delights”.

“There is another name for that and isn’t delightful”, truthfully remarks Jennings hanging out her tongue as if it on fire.
 

“Okay Alice, now that our new friend appears to be crying, tell her what your secret ingredient is that you added”, instructs Jennings wondering if Adele will want to meet with them again or just think they are two crazy old ladies.

“Well, I love coming up with new recipes.  We have a contest every year at my church. I think that I might have the winning cookie recipe this year.   I was thinking I would call this ‘blood and fire’, what do you think?” asks Alice Hammer looking for a good name for her new invention.

Jennings rolls her eyes, “I think it needs to go to hell and stay there. You still haven’t told her what’s in it yet.”

“It’s an interesting name, it sort-of suits the flavor”, kindly offers Adele feeling as if the roof of her mouth is on fire.

“It’s ghost pepper sauce.  I put half a cup in the batter along with some cilantro and a dash of horseradish sauce” explains Alice Hammer “I just love baking!”

“Someone needs to lock her in a closet because she’s a delusional baker”, grunts Jennings feeling a victim of various failed experiments.

Amazed at the chatter, Adele giggles taking another bite of the horrendous cookie and feeling the tears unnaturally well-up in her eyes, “Thank you for the cookie.  It’s wonderful to meet you, Alice Hammer”.

“Oh, I think we are going to be great friends!’ Alice Hammer excitedly claps in the confirmation of their new friendship.

“Do you bake?” asks Jennings not sure of Adele’s palette for fine food.

“Not really.  I like to experiment as well”, confesses Adele who neither cooks nor bakes above any level other than to sustain life.

‘Oh, I see”, observes Jennings “Perhaps you wouldn’t mind being Alice Hammer’s assistant when she needs a victim .... urr, or I mean someone ... to sample her creative genius.”

Alice Hammer and Adele smile and nod at each other in agreement, Adele offers “I would love to.”

In response Jennings defeatedly shakes her head but pleased that Adele was so kind and accommodating to her lifelong friend.

“So, how did your interview go?” asks Jennings wondering what she will be able to share with her friends at the senior center.

“It went well. I don’t know if I have the job yet though.  A committee determines who will be hired”, explains Adele somewhat confident the interview actually went well.

“Where did you interview?” asks Alice Hammer curious to know more about Adele’s interests.

“Marks Enterprises, for the Marketing and Trade department” explains Adele nervously folding her hands in the opposite direction.

“Marks Enterprises!  That’s where Jennings’ grandson works.  Do you know him?” inquires Alice Hammer.

“I’m not sure who you are asking about.  What is his name?” inquires Adele hoping that she will meet Jennings' grandson at some point.

“His name is Raiden Worthington.  At first, he might appear a little standoffish, but he’s a nice guy”, truthfully considers Jennings “He’s quite smart, but he takes his time making a decision, sometimes too long and misses an opportunity, especially in the romance department.”

“Oh yes, he’s wonderful.  If I was twenty years younger, I might take my chances”, dreamily offers Alice Hammer winking with an exaggerated smile.

“Check your math Alice, it’s more like forty”, corrects Jennings taking a sip of her drink and taping her fingers on the table.

“Oh yeah that is right” agrees Alice Hammer adding the numbers in her head “math never was my thing.”

Adele smiles and giggles to herself, “He seems like he is still a nice man.  We were acquainted a long time ago.”

“Did you know him?” curiously asks Jennings “When did you meet?”

“We were on a service team together as young adults.  We were in Taiwan working with a children’s home.”

“Oh how thrilling!” declares Alice Hammer quite loudly for other customers to turn their heads and with even more enthusiasm “How erotic!”

“Alice, I think you mean to say exotic, not the other word” flatly corrects Jennings quite familiar with her friend’s rather unique usage of vocabulary.

“Oh yes” smiles Alice Hammer trying to place it in her memory bank “Exotic, that’s the word.”

“Yes, it was very interesting” adds Adele feeling her face return to a normal color once again.

“What kind of things did you do while you were there?” asks Alice Hammer unfazed by anyone around her.

“We lead outdoor evangelism meetings for children, cleaned and painted the classrooms, played games with the children and got to know the families through the feeding program” explains Adele recalling some of the most precious moments of her life.

“I love to travel and learning about different languages and cultures” explains Jennings.  “My late husband and I use to be missionaries in the earlier years of our ministry. I met some wonderful people during that time and made some life-long friends.”

“Would you ever consider being a missionary if the opportunity came again?” asks Adele wondering about the adventures of her new friends.

“I’d consider it, if they would consider me.  They should have a summer service corps for seniors.  I’d go in a heartbeat.  I could manage two months of my time to help somewhere.  I don’t move as fast or as well, but I can still do some things.” ponders Jennings inspired by her own words.

“What about you? Would you do missionary work again?” Jennings returns the question to Adele who is slowly tracing the rim of her coffee cup lost in thought.

“I’d like to try again one day in the future.  I’m not sure about having the opportunity or how I could afford it, but I would like to”, sincerely states Adele wondering if another change would ever be available to her.

“Sometimes our moments are just small stones in a larger pond, but we never know what or how many stones it will take to reach the other side”, offers Jennings “You may have another opportunity, you are just not aware of it yet”.

“Well I hope that stone appears some time for me”, wishfully states Adele hoping that it is a promise of things to come.  “It was really good to meet you and Alice Hammer today.  Would it be possible that we can meet again maybe next week?”

“Love too!” exudes Alice Hammer “Next time you need to come to my apartment at the senior center!”

Before Alice Hammer can offer a further invitation of details, Jennings jumps in “I’ll bring dessert and tea for everyone”.

Adele smiles and waves goodbye to her friends, looking forward to their next meeting.

Waiting on the Stars - Chapter Three

“I’m so sorry Isla that I’m late”, apologizes Raiden taking off his jacket in the comfort of the small dining room of the upscale restaurant. “Have you ordered?”

“I already scanned the menu, I’m ordering the usual” quips Isla taking a rather large sip of her drink and in an accusatory tone. “What took you so long? I’ve been waiting hours.”

Feeling slightly annoyed, Raiden looks at her contemplating what to say, “It hasn’t been hours.  I’m only about twenty minutes late.  You usually run late, so I shouldn’t be scolded.”

“Let me tell you about my day.  I had my hair done at Juliet’s Salon and then took the air-pod over to Wynn’s for a manicure.  Look, don’t you love the digital coloring for this season.  I need to get a new set of nano nails, I’ve had these for over a year.  The new ones now will change into four options of colors rather than only two.  They are still a little on the expensive side, but I’m worth it!”

In response, Raiden politely nods his head not entirely convinced that this is where he wants to be while hearing about the flexibility of nail color.  “Sure” Raiden finds himself non-committedly saying out loud.

“Did you have a bad day?” asks Isla crossing her legs so that Raiden will notice her long lines and slightly pouting while stroking his arm “You don’t seem like yourself. Did everything go all right at work? Were you making millions for me or only a million for yourself?”

“I had a good day”, contradicts Raiden contemplating if he should mention seeing Adele again but decides against it.  “I was busy with several meetings.  The Elyson Foundation would like to work with us which we are considering.”

“Is that the same company as the Elyson Resorts?  I loved staying there!  They have such beautiful hotels with so many different amenities. I haven’t been to one lately though.  They started to close down”, reflects Isla feeling the disappointment of not finding a good local spa that compares to the ones provided by the Elyson Resorts.

“Not the same company, but related as part of one of their enterprises", Raiden explains in case anything were to ever come up concerning Adele.   “A distant cousin by marriage of the owner of the Elyson resorts runs the Foundation.   His name is Argon Elyson – Wynn.  His former wife was an Elyson.  He is a widower for a few years now.  She was traveling with the owner’s wife of Elyson Resorts on the hover train that derailed a few years back during the storm.  Argon’s wife and Mr Elyson are second cousins but there is a bit of an age difference. Argon is my age. I knew Argon Wynn as he was known then quite well in college but that was a long time ago.”

“Oh, so they are related.  You could have just said that”, annoyingly replies Isla on hearing too many details at one time liking to remember connections that will serve to her advantage later, “What do you want to do this weekend?”

“I haven’t given it much thought”, exasperated responds Raiden not sure that he wants to commit any more time to her right now. “What are your plans?”

“I would like to go to Oragone Falls” exudes Isla recounting many memories of vacations there as a child “I haven’t been in ages, its so beautiful this time of year too! I don’t think there is any area quite as lovely in the entire Upper Crestwood Region.”

“It has greatly improved since they created the lake areas for a more natural state”, remarks Raiden wondering if there might be a chance that Adele has ever visited this park area too, suddenly hoping that there might be a chance to invite her at some point.

“What are you smiling about?” asks Isla miffed that his focus seems removed from solely herself, “Are you considering going with me this weekend?”

“I don’t know that I’m available right now.  Maybe some other time”, sincerely excuses Raiden not wanting to hurt Isla’s feelings but not wanting to commit any further time to her.

“We definitely have to make plans.  You can’t make any excuses and leave me with my friends while you stay in your office all weekend again”, pouts Isla feeling that he offers more attention to his work than to her.

“Hello, my name is Katie and here is your food”, announces the AI with a tray of delicious looking heat enhanced food and then slowing nodding to each of them, “Can I help you with anything else?  Would you like more to drink?”

“Yes, some strawberry juice would be nice”, replies Isla tossing back her hair to one side and moving her chin up for a view of her long neck, and then smiling up at Raiden providing a better view for him.

“Here you go” offers Katie the AI after filling the glasses from her storage compartment that dispenses drinks for table service.

“Did you see the new lipstick I purchased?  It’s called “Moonlit Glow” from Acculine.  When I touch the corner of my lip, it colors both lips perfectly.  I’m hoping they come out with more colors soon, this is so easy to apply”, shares Isla amazed by the recent advances in cosmetics.

Not paying too much attention to the conversation, Raiden yawns “I think that I may need to call it a night.  It’s been a long day at work.  I’ll drop you off.”

“Okay.  Maybe I’ll call Jayden and see if he wants to go out dancing since you seem too tired to do anything else tonight”, playfully states Isla trying to make Raiden jealous or at least hoping for an offended reaction.

Completely oblivious to her attention agenda, Raiden responds “That sounds like a good idea.  I like Jayden, he’s a good guy.”

Staring him down, Isla swiftly stands up and heads to the door to wait for Raiden to pay with his account and take her home.  He gently swipes his hand at the restaurant emblem embossed at the corner of the table not raising his eyes to look at her.

In the Air-Glider, Isla lays back and relaxes while the vehicle navigates itself to her home.  Raiden checks his schedule for the next day.  There is no conversation until they reach Isla’s home and she offers, “Call me tomorrow.  I’ll let you know our plans for the weekend.”  Raiden compliantly nods not sure if he will make time on his schedule to call or not.  

As the glider starts to move towards his home, Raiden reviews Adele’s resume.  Looking at the information, his heart instinctively leaps and feels a sense of excitement at the possibility of working together again.

Meanwhile, Adele is at home making some hot chocolate and relaxing in her living room.  The floor wallpaper actively moves, creating living scenes of the oceans with whales and dolphins swimming in the floor beneath her.  She changes her selection to an inner forest of redwoods with birds and squirrels moving among the branches with sounds of the wind blowing through the leaves.  After a few more minutes, she changes the scene to one of snowcap mountains with the fresh scent of pine filling the room. At of all the renovations in her new home, this has been the one that has brought the most pleasure.  Her home only offers three different scenes in the living room, but she knows others who have up to fifty different choices throughout their home for each room.

“Vera, please open the memory portal.  Find Raiden Worthington.  2021” requests Adele sighing “I wish they had memory technology then.  Rather than looking at these old photos and videos that although somewhat automated with help from an AI, I could actually see an image of him standing here in my living room.”   Images flash and float in front of her which she can pause to admire before moving onto the next one.  “At least I can see these for now and remember a few of the experiences we had together.” 

“Vera, please open articles. Find Raiden Worthington. 2040-2047”.  Multiple articles and images pass in front of her. Interviews come to life in 3D imagery. Short screen images of ten to thirty seconds offer commercials of longer storage capacities of information. “Hey, isn’t that the woman I saw on the palm of his hand when she called this afternoon?” asks Adele out loud to her pet Labadour resting next to her.

Holding her palm upright and pushing on the reflected image, the article enlarges to nearly four feet tall as she magnifies the picture in the article to have a closer look at the person in the photo.  “That’s Isla Grove! I babysat her when she was a little one and I think that I was a junior in high school.  Wow, she’s grown up to be a very pretty woman.  I wonder what she is doing now.  It seems like she has been dating Raiden this past year or so.  How very disappointing …  I hope they are happy together though.  They look like a beautiful couple together.  Well, at least we can be friends even if the future is already taken for anything serious.”

Resting in the comfy pillows of her sofa, Adele continues to read and look through the different media sources on the life of Raiden Worthington.  “We’ve both gotten older, but his smile has remained the same.  I wish that I had reached out sooner when he was still available.   Who am I kidding?  He probably was dating someone else then too and why would he choose to date me instead"  considers Adele in her thoughts but then unintentionally speaks out loud to her empty home, "It was a nice dream for a moment”.

“Vera, close the memory portal. Turn off the lights. Prepare the temperature to 69 degrees in my bed”, requests Adele ready for a good night sleep, satisfied with the events of the day and excited for the possibilities of tomorrow.

 

 

Waiting on the Stars - Chapter Two

In the lobby, Adele stands in front of the full wall directory wondering where she would like to go next for the rest of the day, not ready to go home before clearing some thoughts from this afternoon.  An image of the entire city is below her feet. On the screen it displays options of restaurants, entertainment, museums, lodging, etc.  She chooses by providing a short wave over the square block titled “restaurants”.  A series of tear drops appear on the virtual map below her shoes.  Adele decides a caramel macchiato is just what she needs to calm her nerves from the interview earlier in the day.

Descending the circular gliding escalator, Raiden notices Adele by the location directory.  He observes her from across the rotunda.  Her hairstyle has changed and she is older, but she is still the same woman he remembers.  She seems to his memory to appear more confident and accomplished now, but maybe not as adventurous. Pondering why he didn’t make more of an effort to get in contact with her earlier in his life, he considers there were so many excuses both real and imaginary. Fearing that she had found someone else or that maybe he hadn’t accomplished enough to impress her or her family, things had been difficult when they had parted ways nearly twenty years before and it was daunting to think that it was possible to start over again.  Their lives had moved in different directions with goals influenced by their circumstances.

As he leaves the escalator, Raiden sees Adele step away from the city directory and head towards the Market Street level exit. Anxiously he observes her, moving behind a guest who is considering a foreign language class that a hologram is offering with 25 percent discount if they sign up today. The guest looks a little surprised at the man standing to her side.  While watching Adele pause for a moment as her suit changes into auto-temp mode, Raiden recommends to the guest “This is a great product, I’ve tried it.  Great conversational programming with virtual narratives.”

As she heads out the door, Raiden follows Adele at a safe distance where he is the least likely to be noticed.  When Adele enters the Primo Café, Raiden quickly moves towards the same location as he contemplates what excuse he will give if caught intentionally following her.

Tapping her lower ear to select a playlist, Adele listens to some of her favorite music while waiting in line for a gourmet coffee and Danish from the vending processor. Standing in the queue six feet from her, he glances at the menu at the vending kiosk. He selects a couple of items while the translucent apparatus audibly gives nutritional value and calorie intake for each selection.

A couple of minutes later, Adele takes her coffee and Danish in hand while heading for a booth meant for just two people.  Raiden slowly approaches where she is sitting engrossed in a crossword displayed on the table in front of her with a virtual keyboard to enter answers.  He finally reaches the table, but it doesn’t appear that Adele has noticed.  Raiden clears his throat, “umm … I personally prefer Suduko.”

She looks up at him and stares for a moment.  Adele feels like she can’t breathe as she senses that all the air has escaped the room.  She can’t bring to the surface her voice, as she perceives that she is not sure it has ever existed. Suddenly Adele audibly hears herself release a guttural “Oh ...", feeling her face burn in embarrassment.

“Do you not like Suduko?” joking asks Raiden surprised at her rather loud response but notices how embarrassed she has become offers “The trivia games are not too bad”.

“I’m not very good at Suduko, but I do like trivia” weakly smiles Adele gathering courage continues, “I don’t know if you remember me.  There really wasn’t a chance to ask you during the interview.”

“Yes, I remember you” slowly replies Raiden shifting to his weight to his back leg for more support, unsure what reaction Adele will have while acknowledging this fact.

“Ms. Daring told me that you don’t like bringing up connections and that I shouldn’t attempt to during my interview, but I’m not sure if knowing you twenty years ago would be a current connection or not” impulsively adds Adele wanting to be honest, “I guess it depends on if you still consider me a friend or not.”

Pausing before speaking, Raiden begins “I think that I will always consider you someone who was special to me at one moment in my life even if things have changed now.”

Looking down at her coffee to contemplate what he just said, Adele genuinely responds “I’m glad that you remember me, you were special to me too a long time ago.”

“I wanted to ask during the interview but didn’t feel the appropriate time was available, did you know that I manage the company?” curiously asks Raiden nervously tracing the edge of his cup with his finger.

"I didn’t know.  Liana knows the HR manager from college and told me to apply for the position” Adele explains while anxiously wondering if it will disqualify her for the position that she needs and would like to have.

“Unexpectedly I saw your name on a list of applicants that came across my desk and requested to interview you to see if you were the same person I met many years ago” confesses Raiden taking a sip of his coffee hoping that it will not appear to be a strange thing to do.

“Really?  I feel complemented that you remembered me, it has been such a long time ago” offers Adele feeling more comfortable with him as their conversation continues.

“Do you still travel much?” asks Raiden wondering if she will truly wants to stay in Kell City. 

“I do when I can afford it”, honestly replies Adele wishing the opportunity came more often than the actual reality of traveling.

“Do you still perform in concerts?” inquires Adele having seasonally looked him up from time to time over the years.

“Yes, occasionally as a ringer when someone else is not available or on vacation.  It’s definitely not consistent”, admits Raiden not realizing until that moment how much he missed performing.

“I'll be honest, I use to find articles about you a few years ago.  You were quite good” compliments Adele rather proud over the years of having known someone who was so talented.

“Well, thank you but that is definitely in the past”, blushes Raiden touched and pleased that she would remember even in her absence.  “I looked up your articles on your travel as well, so I guess we’re even.”

Both smile and nervously sip their coffee as memories flood their thoughts.

“Do you have a family?” asks Adele interrupting her thoughts not sure if she is prepared for the answer now that they have met again.

“I tried marriage for a few years quite a long time ago, but it didn’t work out and we each went our separate ways”, sincerely offers Raiden concerned that this might be an issue for her “I don’t have any children.  What about you?”

“I was married for some time until he decided that he no longer wanted to be married to me and would rather be with someone else”, calmly Adele replies long past the pain of that decision “I have a daughter and a son, but they have their own families now. Time does fly and moves on too.”

At that moment, Raiden’s wrist lights up.  As he holds out his palm a rotating hologram image of an attractive modern woman appears.  “I’m sorry I have to take this call. I forgot that I have a dinner appointment. The selection process is determined by a committee but if it works out, I look forward to working with you.”

As Raiden begins to walk away heading towards the door, Adele speaks loudly “It was good seeing you today.  Maybe we can go for coffee again sometime in the future.”

“Sounds great! Looking forward to it!” blithely promises as he turns away. Wistfully Adele's eyes follow him, as Raiden disappears into the crowd along the moving sidewalk outside.