REFLECTIONS.

     It had been a long time, but he didn’t want to dwell on that right now; the oceanfront juice bar was a popular choice amongst locals and given he would become one in the next six weeks, he had been visiting more frequently than usual. “Well, I wouldn’t lie to you—” Matt laughed as she jumped the queue backwards, letting the lady in front go next. “I know, they don’t have a juice bar in Fremont so when I’m around…” The male trailed off, double checking the menu. “Ginger Greens it is, my treat.” He smiled, “How’ve you been keeping?” 

             It was an odd sensation, bumping into someone that you hadn’t spoken to, or even heard from, in over a year. Alas, a sense of familiarity and reminiscence washed over the woman, thankful to know he was well, at the very least. “I never doubted you for a second, Knight.” She challenged, the smirk obvious across her features as she did so. “Well, look at that, I guess it was lucky I bumped into you, after all. A recommendation, and a free drink? — I best count my lucky stars and give the lottery a shot.” A laugh fell easily from her lips as the pair very obviously attempted to smooth matters over with light hearted conversation. Something that was surprisingly easy. “Good. I’ve been good.” That being said, she’d heard about the most recent events, and of course a part of her wondered about him, and the way his thoughts likely trailed back to his own experiences. “How’ve you been, Matt?”

                 “I hate to be that person, but summer air.. the heat.. it just leaves the whole entire atmosphere smelling and feeling musty.” It’s not to say she preferred the other seasons, however settling down in a country or state that has temperature that’s in between seemed like a dream. “It’s much different than Chicago. Sometimes I forget that I live in Canada; how different things are here.” As her brows raised, she fixed the handles of her purse, securing it closer as a means of comfort. “If your plans are similar to mine, then I guess we can hang out together. I think the only problem is my lack of supply on red wine,” Vanessa guiltily admitted, clicking her heels together. “If you’re available —- available as in not busy,” she began, “I’ll merge my plans with yours. I just wouldn’t want to be a bother, I suppose.” It took a lot for that to come out of her mouth, ignoring the flush of red attacking her cheeks. “Is that a no to my sauvignon blanc?”  Because without a doubt, Vanessa looked forward to a glass or two, spending the rest of her evening mesmerized by the city view. “I can adapt to red wine if that’s all that’s available.”

SPECIAL DELIVERY FOR @martinezadela​

The offer on the truck was two plates for the price of one if you were recently engaged. Engagement tacos it appeared. Now Wyatt was not someone that would pass tacos – ever, and not to mention that he was a cheapskate. As an attorney he made decent money, then you added the family money that he had then he really had no reason to truly want to get this deal. Yet he found himself turning around and looking at the female beside him, “Do you want to do me a favor and pretend to be engaged? We can get the tacos and a couple of drinks on the house if we do. Not to mention the chips and the salsa, so what do you say?” He had seen the woman before, at the courthouse – both were in different fields of law but she was a familiar one, “Then we can go back to just knowing who the fuck we are?” 

SPECIAL DELIVERY FOR @martinezadela​​ 

Now dogs Miriam could do, humans – well she tended to avoid those. It had been almost a decade since she had come back into town longer than a couple of days. Now she had moved back and even though everything in her was begging the woman to run away she was fighting it. Of course, it was easier to fight these instincts when she had Azul right beside her. The dirty blond woman decided to stop by one of her best friends’ house. The least that she could do was at least let Adela know she was somewhat back, especially since she was going to need some of her legal advice. It was a damn good thing to have an attorney as a friend, especially when her younger sister had a knack of always getting herself into trouble. Once again Arya had gotten another DUI, but this time she had managed to hit someone and place them into a coma, and by some slight grace that person didn’t end up dead. Yet, the judge would only let her sister out if a responsible adult that was not her parents – figures, right? Finally, after all these years a law authority individual realizes what enablers her parents are with Arya. Somehow life had such a vendetta against Miriam that just as she was getting everything and her sister was losing it – in order to balance it out her fiance ended up dying due to a negligent driver – thus why Miriam was back in this forsaken town and now the guardian of Arya and her three-year-old son. Arya was about the last person to be a mother, right next to Miriam and somehow now the two brunettes had to do this. So as she made her way into the residence without hesitation she kneels down to give Azul a long-awaited hug before looking up at Adela, “Will you kill me if I tell you that I missed him more than I’ve missed you?”

             It hadn’t been long since she had adopted her adorable pup Azul, which was probably the best decision she’d ever made. She’d had him a couple of weeks now, and had ensured to send frequent updates to her friends, including Miriam who was otherwise out of town. Had been for some time now. “Well, you’re the one who hasn’t come to visit him since I got him a couple of weeks back — unless you count the countless facetiming?” Which it seemed as though she may have done in this case. The golden haired woman glanced down as her company immediately took Azul into her arms, the playful pup lapping up the attention he’d received upon her arrival, the fluffy Australian Shepherd jumping playfully on the spot as his tail proceeded to wag heavily. “I mean, it’s safe to say it’s reciprocated, at least?” A soft smile tugged at the corners of the woman’s lips as she watched the scene play out, whilst also rolling her eyes at the pair’s reunion, when clearly she should’ve been the main focus. Alas, she supposed this was what happened when you had a floofy friend running around.

SATURDAY, JUNE 27th, 2020. ROOTS, MYRTLE ROCK. ( @martinezadela​ )

     Bumping into anyone in Myrtle Rock was easy, but for the longest time he hadn’t even spotted Adela across the street. He didn’t go down that way all the time, but even now as he spent more time in the area, only now did it cross his mind as to how long it had been. Twelve, thirteen months? Maybe more. But her mistakingly golden hair and smoothness in tone confirmed his suspicion; it was her. That was why he spoke up from queue behind, the woman in between them listening to music, “Ginger Greens—” He called out. “Or the Matcha Green Smoothie, they’re the best.”

           It wasn’t common for Adela to cross paths with Matthew, in act, she couldn’t recall ever doing so since their departure — mostly at the hands of the male behind her, giving her no real explanation of even knowledge of their demise. So, upon hearing his recommendation, she swiftly turned on her feet to lay witness to the familiar face, allowing the woman between them to go ahead of her in the line, as she gestured to her spot. “You sound awfully sure of yourself.” The woman countered, wondering if she was going to take his recommendation, as she now placed herself in front of him. “Long time.” She wasn’t about to let him forget just how much time had passed. “But, I guess, if I’m going to take either of those choice, Ginger Greens it is.”

                  “It’s fairly common for summer to have a shower or two.. and considering how the weather has been the past several weeks, I’m looking forward to the rainfall tomorrow. If there’s one thing I cannot stand, it’s excessive heat.” Not only does her curls begin to flourish once the sun beams attack her straightened hair, the humidity makes her skin get a slight itch; nothing too far from hives. “It’s Friday night       I think I’ve had enough turmoil to deal with this evening. All I intend on doing is relaxing underneath my air conditioner on the coolest temperature while drinking sauvignon blanc,” the brunette expressed, visibly attempting to hide her agitation. “If that doesn’t sound like a blast, then I don’t know what is. In the meanwhile, is there anything I can lend assistance to before I head off?”               @elisabethstarters​