My Thoughts

Ilsa - Heatwave Gazing into the countryside as she drove back to Austin, Ilsa winced. Even though it was only early August, the dying landscape looked eerily like the mid-winter. Intermingled among fading green were the brown leaves of dead trees. Ilsa wondered what this same landscape would look like in spring, whether any of the trees would survive. All other vegetation had been brown for weeks. The radio provided consistent updates on Hurricane Irene. She thought about the few people she knew living on the East coast and said a prayer for their safety. Laughing to herself, she thought it crazy she would welcome the hurricane in Texas. The summer had seen over forty straight days of temperatures over 100 degrees. The drought was in its third year, and most of the state was under water restrictions. Increased water and electricity rates exacerbated the heat. She wanted to think about anything except Cassandra. Cassandra.........her first child, her heart. The l...

Deandra forced her mind back to the current time and place as the hotel door closed behind her. Here in her hotel room with her things around her, she could finally allow her tears to flow. She thought she'd soon collapse on the bed, and she was a bit startled that only a few tears made their way down her rain soaked face. She knew that the screams in the rain had really spent her energy, and coupled with the brandy, her emotions began to finally settle. Reaching into the mini-bar, she withdrew a bottle of tequila and downed it quickly before she could change her mind. She decided a long shower would complete her relaxation, and she couldn't resist the routine of lighting candles and dimming lights. What the hell? she thought. Reaching into the mini-bar again, she decided on another tequila. This time, however, she decided she'd enjoy it over ice with a splash of salt and savor it as the shower soothed away all the negative energy. She could not get him out of he...

Jarvis stared in disbelief as the taxi pulled away from the church and headed West down Lombard Street. A flash of lightening illuminated the street, and he caught a glimpse of the street sign. He had to laugh. Years earlier when Deandra first visited Philly, he had found her sitting on the balcony of their bed and breakfast with a pencil in hand sketching a street scene. He had been so focused on the amazing find at a wine shop, a '97 Dalla Valle Maya Napa Valley. "How's the wine?" "It's nice," she said, focusing on her sketch. "I was ready to unwind." His excitement and expectation of sharing this amazing wine find with her deflated, and anger boiled up inside him. "Seriously, Deandra, you are supposed to be on vacation. If you don't like the wine, I brought some other beverages," he smiled and tried to take her journal from her hands. Looking up at him with her tired blue eyes, she feigned a pout. "Please? ...

Philly Story - (Back in Austin) Departing the plane in Austin only five days after she had left seemed surreal for Deandra. She had changed, she felt, but everything in the airport was exactly the way it had been. She knew she was supposed to call the office to get a proper "police" escort to her car parked at the police department, but somehow, she didn't feel like answering any questions. She could hear them all now. How was it? What did you do? Do he propose? The heat outside seemed so suffocating compared to how cool it had been in Philadephia all week. All her excitement and hopefulness were gone, and she dreaded the resumation of her normal live. Deep down, she knew something had changed, even though she didn't have positive proof. She had never been good at departures, had never learned how to master those important words and emotions that said "good bye". Continuing to muse all these things in her confused mind as the taxi transported ...

Her mind drifted back through the years to the first time she visited Philly, so in love, so full of hope and optimism. Somehow, the euphoria heightened all her emotions. When she saw the lights of the Philadelphia Theater Company, she closed her eyes and allowed all the memories to wash over her. "Lombard Street? I wonder if it is named after Carol Lombard." "What?" he asked, not slowing down as Deandra took in the sights. "Carol Lombard, the actress." "Haven't heard of her," he said. "How have you not heard of her? She was marreid to Clark Cable, you know, 'frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." Deandra wanted pictures of everything and was fumbling for her camera in her bag. He stopped her, placing his hand on hers. "Deandra, we will look like tourists." "But I am a tourist, and I want to remember things, like the architecture of some of these buildings. How amazing. I can truly...

"Jay, you know I don't drink liquor. You know what it does to..." He interrupted, "that's why I gave it to you. I have never seen you so upset. You really scared me." Moving closer to her, he put out his hand to help her off the settee. Glancing deeply into his eyes, she turned as a tinge of emotion welled up again. He leaned in and pushed her wet bangs out of her eyes. "I'm sorry," he whispered. His grip on her shoulder electrified her and firm enough that she knew he was serious. "Come on, I'll get you into a cab. I informed your assistant that you were not feeing well and going on; she will make your apologies for an abrupt departure." No!! she could feel herself screaming loudly, but only she could hear. Feeling her world crumble around her, she wanted to frantically grasp all the pieces and somehow hold them together. As she stood up, she could feel the effects of the brandy. Coupled with the glass of champagn...