by Elena Carter
“Deal.”
Tina sat in front of her computer, staring at the home screen with her head tilted to one side as she tried to summon the energy to load her project. This was her second attempt to do some work. The first one was a failure.
She was supposed to finish an article on the health benefits of turmeric, a project in which she was really falling behind. Every time she tried writing, nothing came out. She couldn’t concentrate because her thoughts were like a ball of yarn after a cat had played with it—tangled and messed up.
With a huff, she opened her documents to search for the file. However, no matter how hard she looked, she struggled to locate where she’d saved it.
Clicking on the search tool, she typed in what she thought the file name was and frowned as the search came up empty.
“I know I have it somewhere. I was more than half-way through.”
She glanced at the search bar and slapped her forehead. She’d typed “tarantula” instead of “turmeric.”
“What the hell is wrong with me?” she moaned.
She straightened her back again, shook her head, and continued searching.
Her thoughts wandered off, though, and in a couple minutes, a bunch of scary-looking hairy spiders stared at her from the screen.
“Shit!” Tina jumped. She gazed at the screen again. While functioning on some kind of an autopilot, she’d opened her internet browser, repeated her ridiculous search request, and then selected an image search for some reason.
“Great. I’m losing my mind,” she said to the creatures on the screen.
The spiders continued staring at her silently.
“Oh, whatever.” Tina closed the browser.
She opened a new Word document instead and sat there, looking at the white page, her head slightly tilted to the left, her thoughts racing.
Her phone vibrated with Natalie’s picture on the screen. Tina picked up.
“Hey,” Natalie said. “Just checking on you.”
“Hey. I’m fine. Really. Just can’t seem to write. I don’t know … maybe I should work tomorrow.”
“Take it easy, okay? Promise?”
“Promise.”
For a moment, both girls were silent. Tina kept staring at the screen.
“Tina …?” Natalie said.
“Yes, Nat?”
“Everything will be okay. You know? It really will.”
“Promise?” Tina scoffed.
“Promise!” Natalie assured. “Night. Take care.”
“You too. Hugs and kisses to my M&Ms.”
Tina put her phone down. She focused on the blank page again, and then started typing:
Losing your mind is not necessarily a bad thing. What if through losing it you find something else, something new. Maybe it’s an upgraded version of yourself, or maybe it’s a whole new personality with some really cool superpowers—like being incapable of feeling pain …
“I’m going to celebrate,” Tina said into the phone. She looked out of the window and smiled.
“You should,” Natalie replied. “I’m so happy to hear you’re feeling better.”
“Me too.” Tina laughed. “I’m happy I finished that work, feel really proud of myself, and I’m finally not guilty for letting Mike down. And a week without dreams, can you imagine? Although, I miss it a bit. But I think I deserve a break. Things were starting to freak me out.”
“You definitely needed a break. It’s good for your health, both physical and mental. How are you going to celebrate?” Natalie asked.
Tina leaned back in her chair. “I wanna get out of the house, go for a nice walk, treat myself to a large cappuccino in a cute outdoor cafe, and just enjoy the little things. The weather is beautiful. And I’m finally feeling at peace with myself and with the world around me. Well, more or less. But it’s an achievement.”
“A massive one. I’m happy for you, T. I wish I could join … But we’re still cool for Saturday, right? Sushi night?”
“Of course.” Tina stretched her legs out, sinking back into the chair. “Can’t wait! God, I’m so glad things are becoming normal again. I missed normality.”
“Personally, I think life should be a perfect mix of normality and weirdness. But we all have our definition of ‘perfect’, don’t we?” Natalie laughed.
“We sure do.” Tina nodded.
“Well, you go get your daily dose of caffeine and vitamin D, and I’ll get back to my kind of normality in the kitchen.”
Tina knew she rolled her eyes as she said it. However, while Natalie joked about her life of being a stay-at-home-mom, she still loved every moment of it.
Well, most of them for sure. Tina smiled at her thoughts.
“Have a great day, Nat. Talk to you later. Love ya.”
It didn’t take Tina long to get ready. It never did. She used to put on mascara and lipstick or lip balm, tie her hair in a ponytail, and she was ready to go. When she and Greg were going out, she would be the one waiting at the door while he got ready. She was okay with it, though. She liked that they were different to other couples—to other people in general.
Since Greg died, Tina stopped using any makeup at all. At first, it made no sense because she was crying nonstop, but even when the pain dulled—or at least pretended to, because pain was a cunning bitch, hiding in a dark corner and waiting for the right moment to come out—the new no-makeup habit was already formed.
Natalie tried multiple times to persuade Tina to start wearing makeup again, buying her mascara or lipstick every now and then and pretending it was a spontaneous purchase. Tina would thank her and promise to try it on, while knowing it’d be buried in her drawer in the company of other similar gifts. She didn’t feel like it. And she didn’t go out that much, anyway.
She wore jewelry, though. Always earrings and, occasionally, a ring. It wasn’t about the looks, however. They made her feel better. They reminded her of her childhood. She didn’t have a lot of jewelry, but every piece meant something. It was a memory—a little bridge into the past—linking her to a certain person, place, or event in her life.
And since Tina was feeling especially good, she walked over to the dresser in the living room and opened the old wooden jewelry box where she’d kept her treasures ever since she was a little girl. She took out a silver ring with a large black oval-shaped stone that was surrounded by a delicate filigree, put it on her middle finger, and said, “Now, I’m ready to go.”
About an hour later, after a lazy stroll along the sunlit streets, some window-shopping, and lots of pictures taken—of flowers in people’s gardens and cats on windowsills—Tina came across a cute outdoor cafe with small tables set on the pavement and colorful stained glass windows. It was the perfect place for the rest and cappuccino she’d been craving.
Tina went inside and ordered a large cappuccino to go, even though she intended to stay. She felt like drinking out of a paper cup, as opposed to porcelain. She was probably still in the walking-around mode.
Having collected her order, she went back outside, picked a table in the sun, and made herself comfortable. She took off her sunglasses and put them on the table, as well as the newspaper she’d bought on her walk. She never had a habit of reading newspapers, but when she was passing the newsagent, she had a sudden urge to buy it. A glimpse of normality, she said to herself.
That’s what normal people do, right? They read newspapers while having their coffee, instead of running around chasing imaginary hummingbirds, she thought. And since she could be very convincing if need be, there she was, squinting in the sun, hugging her coffee cup, and thinking of actually trying to read the newspaper.
“What a lovely ring,” a voice next to her said.
Tina turned around, and saw an old lady at the table next to hers. Strange, she thought. I didn’t notice anyone sitting here when I came.
Not wanting to seem rude, she smiled and said, “Oh, thank you. It was my Mom’s.”
“It’s obsidian, isn’t it?” the lady asked
. She looked like she was in her seventies, yet she had perfect makeup, featuring a rather bright red lipstick, and neat curls of silver hair that showed from under a broad-brim hat with flowers on it. She wore stylish black sunglasses and white lace gloves with a large labradorite ring on her finger over the glove.
“It is. Mom loved stones and taught me a little about them. I’ve loved their names ever since I was a kid. Thought they sounded like magic spells,” Tina replied.
“You weren’t too far from the truth, my dear.” The old lady chuckled.
Tina laughed with her, although she didn’t really understand what the lady meant. However, there was something about the woman that made Tina want to talk to her. Maybe it was her voice; or her laugh; or her overall appearance, which was, by all means, far from ordinary.
“I have a collection of my own,” the lady continued. “I take them for a walk sometimes.” She showed Tina her ring. “Or maybe they take me.” She laughed again.
It sounded like wind chimes. And Tina had always loved wind chimes.
“Sounds like nice company.”
“Alice,” the lady said, tilting her head. She took her sunglasses off, revealing piercing blue eyes.
“I’m Tina. Your name sounds pretty magical too.”
“That’s what my friend Rabbit used to say.” Her eyes twinkled.
“I would absolutely love it if you joined me,” Alice continued. “Unless, of course, you are waiting for someone, want to be left alone, or don’t want to bother listening to some old woman’s tales.” She winked.
“Neither.” Tina grabbed her coffee and newspaper and moved to Alice’s table. “I have a feeling that listening to tales is exactly what I need right now.”
“My third husband was a talented artist. I still have his paintings in my house. He used to spend hours in the basement, where he set up a cozy workshop for himself. Well, I’m guessing it was cozy, since he practically lived there. I haven’t gone there often,” Alice said.
“Why?” Tina asked.
“I hadn’t used it much when it was a basement, so when Richard moved in and asked if he could turn it into something else, I didn’t mind at all.” Alice shrugged. “Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I wasn’t allowed to go in there or anything silly like that. He didn’t even ask me not to, but I felt like I shouldn’t. Like it was something just for him. He needed it, and I was happy I could give it to him.”
“It’s great when we can give something to the people we love. Something important. Essential. It feels so good. I remember that feeling,” Tina replied.
“You are very wise for your age, my dear.”
“Would you like anything else?” a waitress interrupted their chat.
Tina blinked several times before looking around. She had completely lost track of time, sitting at the table with Alice and listening to her fascinating stories. They’d even somehow missed the sunset.
“Oh, wow, I didn’t think it was that late. Time flew by,” she exclaimed.
“I’m sorry, my dear. I hope you didn’t miss anything important. I get carried away sometimes with my stories. Age, I guess …”
“Alice, I loved your stories. But will you be okay getting home?” Tina gestured to the waitress to bring the bill.
“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. Esmeralda won’t be too happy, though, and will probably give me a lecture or two. But she’s not a grudge holder.” Alice laughed.
Tina had already learned that Esmeralda, or Emerald, or Emmy, was Alice’s cat, so she grinned too.
“Are you sure? I could walk you home or maybe get you a cab.”
“Absolutely sure, my dear. I have an idea, though. How do you feel about coming over for a cup of tea, or whatever it is you prefer to drink, when you have some free time? I’ll show you my jewelry collection, and we can chat in my lovely garden.”
“I’d be thrilled to. I can meet Esmeralda and see those splendid geraniums of yours,” Tina said.
“Well, considering you are much busier than I am, I think it’s a good idea if you give me a call when you’re ready.” Alice reached for her purse and took out a business card.
Tina was surprised, but tried to hide it. She looked at the card Alice handed to her. It said, “Alice van der Meer,” and was followed by a phone number in silver letters and numbers on a light blue background. She glanced at the other side; there was nothing.
“I’ll call you soon. Please give my regards to Emmy,” she said with a smile and put the card away in her purse.
“Wow, she’s quite a character!” Natalie said after listening to Tina’s story.
“Yep. I wish you were there. I haven’t met anyone like her before.” Tina was sitting at her desk, phone in one hand and Alice’s business card in the other. “And this card … I mean, I can’t even call it a business card, because it isn’t. Why would she even have one?”
“An eccentric old lady. She actually sounds like someone I want to be when I grow old. Crazy but fun.” Natalie laughed.
“Yeah, I had that feeling too.” Tina nodded. “I was imagining us drinking wine in a cafe in Paris wearing ridiculously cool hats, lots of jewelry, and red lipstick.”
“And designer shades. And … long white dresses. And it has to be champagne instead of wine, what do you think?”
“Sounds awesome!” Tina leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.
“Sounds like a plan to me! So, who’s responsible for organizing the girls’ night out fifty years from now?” Natalie asked.
“Well, you know me, I always sucked at planning. Best I can do is set a reminder now and keep snoozing it for fifty years.”
“Seriously, though, are you really planning on visiting Alice?” Natalie asked.
“I think so. I mean, I want to, and don’t really see why not.”
“Oh, if Mike heard all this, he would’ve already come up with a story about her being a serial killer.” Natalie chuckled. “Have you told him, by the way?”
“No, haven’t spoken to him yet. I know he’s overloaded with work now. He’s got some new clients who need a ton of articles and blog posts written. You’re right, though. He definitely would. I don’t know, it’s just …”
“Just what?”
“Some things really do feel strange—like that card or some of her stories about her husbands disappearing. But on the other hand, when I was talking to her, I had this feeling … How do I explain it? I felt safe and secure and relaxed. Like home.”
“Well, let’s be honest, you’ve always been attracted to extraordinary people and things. Same this time. There you were on your walk, looking for normality, just to stumble upon someone as far from normality as possible.”
“You’re right, I guess. I attract these situations. Or they attract me …”
“You attract each other. Tina, the magnet for the extraordinary.” Natalie laughed. “Accept your destiny and call her.”
“I will.” Tina got off her chair and stretched. “What’s the worst that could happen?”
“Don’t marry her. That should keep you safe!”
“I’ll try to fight the temptation.” Tina chuckled.
Shortly after finishing the call with Natalie, Tina picked up Alice’s card again, took a deep breath and dialed the number.
“Hello?” Alice’s voice on the other end of the line sounded like a young girl’s voice.
“Hi Alice. It’s Tina. We met at—”
“My dear, I’m delighted you called. You won’t believe it, but I was just thinking about you. Do you like peaches?”
“Excuse me?” Tina’s eyes widened.
“I just took a peach cobbler out of the oven, and I said to myself, ‘I think Tina would like it. Something tells me she loves peaches,’” Alice said. “I’m so sorry I interrupted you,” she continued, “I was just so surprised at the coincidence and so happy to hear you, too!”
“I love peaches. And peach cobblers.”
“With a scoop of vanilla ic
e cream and a cup of coffee?”
“Exactly! How did you know?” And again, there was the enveloping feeling of calm and happiness, as if there was a little sun inside Tina’s chest, filling her body with warmth from the inside. “Two scoops, though.”
“So you’d agree that there can’t ever be too much ice cream?” Alice asked seriously, like a strict teacher.
“Let me think … yes, that’s absolutely true!” Tina tilted her head to the side, tapping Alice’s card on the desk with a smile on her face.
“How are you, my dear? Or do you want to tell me about it over coffee and peach cobbler? Although, I’m sure you didn’t call to say you can come over right now. You must have a hundred other things to do.”
“Actually, I just ticked the hundredth box in my to-do list, which means I’m absolutely free. And a little bit hungry, too,” Tina replied.
“That is wonderful, dear. Are you ready to write down the address?”
Tina grabbed a pen and a notepad. “Ready.”
“It’s 45, Hummingbird Lane,” Alice said.” You’ll recognize the house straight away when you see all the geraniums in the windows.”
Tina closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead before replying, “Great. See you soon.”
She hung up and put the phone and the pen down. Closing her eyes, she sighed and said, “Well, what the hell did you expect? Normality? Really? Forget it. There is no such thing as normality for you, Tina. You’re a fucking magnet for weirdness.”
After staring at the wall in silence for what Tina thought was an eternity, but was in fact only a few minutes, she got up, stretched, shook her head—as if trying to wake up—and said to herself, “You know you’re gonna go there anyway, don’t you? Hummingbirds or not. It’s the right thing to do.”
She looked at the address written in the open notepad, wondering why she even had to write it down. There was no way she would forget an address like that.
She grabbed her phone, purse, and keys, and left the apartment.
