It’s Tuesday morning and I’m riding on the Amtrak
train from Los Angeles, bound to San Diego contemplating starting an affair
with my best friend’s married brother. Wow! What a mouth full. I can’t believe
I’m actually doing this.I hear a faint ringing sound and realize it's me. I quickly grab my Fendi Spy bag and rummage through it searching for my phone. I love this purse but everything falls to the bottom and dares me to find it. I look at the phone, it's him. As I'm about to answer, the phone slips out of my hand and falls to my lap. Shit! I quickly scoop it up and take a deep breath, “Hello,” saying in my sexiest tone. A man's voice says “Meet me at Asti on 5th Avenue and G Street at noon. Will you be on time?” he asks. “Yes,” I reply. “I'll be waiting Sierra.” The line goes dead. I drop the phone back into my vortex of a bag and gaze out the window.
My stomach is rumbling, it's twisting into knots. Can anyone else hear it. My heart is pounding like a judge's gavel and it feels like it will pop out of my chest. Can anyone tell what I'm about to do? A man sitting in front of me turns around and shoots annoyed glare. "You're hitting my seat," he snarls. I then realize I've been banging my foot against his seat from nervous energy, I can't sit still. "Sorry, I'm a little nervous," I confess. He forces a smile and turns around.
I look out the window watching the buildings and trees wiz by and I catch my reflection. The bags under my eyes are traveling with me today. Last night was restless - no sleep. This morning was anxious - no food. The minute I step off the train, I’ll transform myself into a sexy seductress. Or maybe, I'll just shoot for not looking so damn tired. This is a four hour train ride so I am forced to reflect on the events that brought me here. Things started so innocently about three months ago. I went back home to visit my best friend in New York to recharge my battery.
I maneuvered through the crowded JFK baggage claim area. It’s as challenging as shopping on Christmas Eve an hour before the store closes. I smile when the little girl rams into my thigh with her Hello Kitty backpack. I remain pleasant when the young mother pushing her baby stroller ran over my foot, narrowly ruining my favorite snake skin red bottoms. I say excuse me to all as I try to weave my way out of the airport, but to no avail. I was invisible, no one moved. Then it dawned on me, “Why am I being so polite? I’m in New York, my beloved home state and speaking your mind is expected here.” I adjust my tone and inflection for the east coast. In the most forceful voice I bark, “Move! Behind you.” The crowd parts like Moses controlling the Red Sea.
Once I step outside, the crisp October air kisses my face and welcomes me home. My eyes search around for my longtime friend of twenty years, Ashley Marcus. “Sierra, over here,” she calls. I turn and see Ashley smiling. I rush towards her with bags in tow and we hug. “I can't believe I’m here,” I smiled. “I’ve been so excited about you coming. I already planned your entire stay,” she laughs. “I'm so desperate for some fun. This divorce is wearing me out,” I say feeling overwhelmed. “Let’s drop your bags at my place. Terrance said he’ll take us out to dinner,” Ashley chuckles as she pops the trunk of her Porsche Boxster and places the bags inside. “Wow, you still have this car? Do you realize I haven’t seen your big brother since you got this car for graduation?” “She’s paid for and I still love her," she says while lovingly tapping the weather beaten car with deep affection. Speaking of paid, Terrance is quite the success story. He is now Senior Vice President of Marketing,” she boasts. “Wow! He really moved up the ranks,” I agree. We jumped into her car and after the second try; it starts. We drive off excited to get our evening started.
