but, mercury's not in retrograde!

by McCarthy, G. L.

  As the two walked into the Tea Room, Ping spotted them. He waved and went into the kitchen to retrieve their order. He had even put the plum wine in a Styrofoam container and had it securely wrapped so it wouldn’t spill. He told Alex there was enough for two, and possibly a little extra. Thanking him for being so thoughtful, she paid and made sure the order included fortune cookies.

  Walking back to the car, Alex thought about how she had never really spent much time in town. She and Dez had never window shopped or just checked out all the stores. Dez had been raised in the area and didn’t really see the town’s charm. It was definitely something she wanted to do with Sam and Cyn, just not at the same time. Juggling the two was going to be a challenge, but she was going to give it her all.

  Chapter 1l

  On the drive home the conversation consisted of the whose and whys of possible people having any reasons to be messing with Little Blue. Cyn couldn’t think of anyone she had come in contact with over the last two years who she could have angered to the point of wanting any kind of payback. In fact she couldn’t think of anyone she had ever pissed off. She was easy to get along with and had made friends easily at school as well as in town with the trades people.

  Alex asked if her mechanic had ever shown interest in buying Little Blue and had been pressuring her to sell. Cyn was quick to answer that Roy Spicer had been very sweet and always tried very hard to keep her car in excellent running condition. He knew she was single and didn’t have a lot of money to spend on major repairs. She would get a postcard every three months reminding her to change her oil and he was open until six so she could get it in before he closed, since he didn’t work weekends. Alex wondered if they should pay Mr. Spicer a visit as he might be able to shed some light on the matter.

  Both were on the lookout for any white trucks as they passed the houses on the way to Cyn’s place. It may have been too early because there weren’t many cars parked in driveways. They decided that taking a drive over the weekend might prove more productive in this department.

  The smell coming from the bags was reminding the two of what a great meal they had waiting for them as soon as they could dish it up. Alex was also anxious to talk to Sam, whose deep calming voice could make any situation sound like it would all work out in the end. Driving up Cyn’s road sent a few animals scattering. Apparently they were looking for their dinner too. Cyn smiled wide. She loved seeing them and loved the fact that they were beginning to depend on her. Alex wasn’t so sure this was a good idea. They really did need to find food on their own, but realized that with the advancement of civilization they needed to take some responsibility for making sure their food source wasn’t destroyed. Maybe they should plant corn and then the deer could eat that instead of Cyn spending her hard earned money for cracked corn from the feed store. As long as the price wasn’t too high she could afford to make the animals fat and happy. Luckily for the deer and raccoons, there was no hunting allowed in this county and keeping them out of the neighbors’ yards (from eating up their gardens) was possibly keeping it that way.

  Alex poured the plum wine into two glasses and, as promised, there was enough for another half a glass. Smiling to herself, she realized that Ping was showing his appreciation to a loyal and regular customer. Cyn was busy putting Alex’s share of the appetizers and her moo shu pork on a plate. After it was all assembled and ready to be eaten, Cyn made up her own plate and began to devour her food. Sitting at the table, Alex missed the cats as well as sitting on the floor to eat her dinner. She could hardly wait to get a cat of her own, but at least wanted to run it by Sam first. She wondered if she even liked cats or was allergic. Sam never seemed to be bothered by dust or pollen so Alex was hoping for no allergies of any kind. Hopefully she could work that topic into tonight’s conversation.

  Realizing that they had both inhaled their dinner, neither could move. They were stuffed at least for the moment. Alex looked at her wine and was lost in thought when Cyn spoke up.

  “What are you pondering, young lady?” Cyn could tell Alex was deep in thought.

  “How much my life has changed in just a few weeks. I

  was sitting here missing the cats. Not Dez, but the cats. So

  much has changed. I would never have dreamt of any of this

  happening in a million years. Do you know what I mean?”

  Alex was still in awe of all that had occurred recently. “You and me both. I would never have thought that we

  would have become so close, and neighbors to boot. It’s like I

  stepped into someone else’s life. I keep waiting to wake up or

  for it all to fall apart. Boy that sounds really pessimistic

  doesn’t it.” Cyn hoped it didn’t sound pathetic as well. “I know what you mean. It just goes to show you that

  we should never give up on our dreams, because they could

  show up around the next corner or at the end of the day. I think

  I’ve become a believer in fate and things happening for a

  reason. I needed to deal with Sally and Richard because that

  allowed me to meet Sam. If none of that would have happened,

  I’d still be with Dez and you and I would have been just lunch

  buddies.” Alex loved her new friend and all that emotional

  pain that she had recently gone through was making her a

  stronger, as well as a better, person not to mention showing

  her what she didn’t want in a girlfriend.

  “You’re right. I’d begun to find myself having a pity

  party for one. But I’ve realized that we are meant to be good

  no great-friends. I will find my own girlfriend and all that I’ve

  learned from you will help me find the right one. No more

  superficial, shallow beauty queens for me. I need to look

  beyond the packaging and focus on substance. If nothing else,

  I’ve learned that from you recently.” Cyn was impressed with

  what she had learned and hadn’t really noticed the subtle

  change in her thinking.

  “I’m glad to have been of help in this area. I had so

  much time to think about what I wanted while I was gone. I

  know I don’t have it all figured out yet, but I’m pretty sure I

  have a good idea. Dez made me realize that just physical

  attraction can’t carry a relationship. I need to look with my

  mind for compatibility, with my ears to hear what they are

  saying, and my heart to feel that they will care for me as I

  would for them. I put so much trust in what my eyes saw, that I

  neglected the rest. Not to mention, I should have asked those

  closest to me for their input.” Alex had Jessie’s blessing where

  Sam was concerned. She wanted Cyn’s input as well, but she would take her criticism with a grain of salt as she may be ever

  so jealous and a little biased.

  “I hear you. Let’s just say that we’ll have each other to

  get feedback from, as well as a different perspective as to what

  qualities they have or lack. I have a habit of overlooking

  certain qualities in women that are a necessity in any relationship.” Cyn got up from the table taking her plate as well as

  Alex’s. “So that being said, go call your prospective soul mate

  and leave these few dishes to me. Then I need to go feed my

  other dinner guests.”

  “You’ve got a deal, girlfriend. I’m just going to grab

  the last of the wine, if you don’t mind?” Alex already knew the

  answer, but assuming was not a good habit to get into. “It’s all yours. So enjoy it and say ‘Hi’ for me.” Cyn

  figured she needed to start thinking of Alex and Sam as a

  couple and thinking good thoughts about them, the lucky girls. Getting comfortable was easy, and hi
tting redial, the

  cell phone started beeping the numbers that would bring Sam

  to her post haste. It was earlier than usual for her call, but she

  hoped Sam would be free to talk.

  “Good evening, Darlin’. Is everything okay? You’re

  calling earlier than I expected.” Sam was just sitting down to

  dinner with Jessie and Dawson who were within ear shot of

  her call.

  “Just needed to hear your voice. Where are you?” Alex

  could hear talking and then suddenly realized Sam could be at

  dinner.

  “I just sat down to eat. Tonight we’re having lasagna.

  Can I call you back as soon as I finish? Oh, wait. Jessie wants

  to say hello.” Sam handed her phone across the table to her

  cousin.

  “Hey, Darlin’. How’s it going?” Jessie missed her so

  much. She had gotten used to having her best friend around the

  past two weeks.

  “Hey, Jess, I’ve missed you. How’s it going? Is Sam

  being a good girl?” Alex knew Jessie would only sing her

  cousin’s praises.

  “She’s the best, but then you already know that.

  Everything is getting back to its old boring routine. We miss

  you and your spirit guides. Have Anna and Ramon settled into

  their new place okay?” Jessie never thought her life had

  become boring until Alex arrived and proved otherwise. “I think so. I put their picture and the fetishes at my

  new house so they could get settled in. I can hardly wait to get

  over there permanently and get a routine going. How’s

  Dawson and Winston? Are they being good boys?” Alex had

  always liked Dawson, but more so now after her visit. She had

  been jealous of him in the past, but this last visit had proved to

  her that Jessie would always be her best friend and her

  husband and dog were just that. They were people in her life

  that she loved as much as she loved her, as well as her cousin

  Sam.

  “Always. They’re both so well trained, especially

  Dawson. Winston still needs work on staying off of people, but

  then he is a dog. Well, I’m going to give the phone back to

  Sam. She has inhaled her dinner so she can go off and talk to

  you in private. Take care of yourself and I love you.” Jessie

  had never really said that to Alex as often as she should. It was

  something that she wanted to become a habit.

  “I love you too, Jess. Have a great week and take good

  care of yourself and your boys. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.”

  Alex started to tear up. She never remembered Jessie saying

  that to her so matter of fact. It had always been a response after

  Alex had said it first.

  “Darlin’, I’m going to grab a cookie and head out for

  our place to hear how your day went.” Sam made a beeline for

  the chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk that was waiting

  on the dessert table.

  “Cookies. I’m going to grab my fortune cookie and

  open it with you on the phone.” Alex walked back into the house and grabbed her cookie and tossed the other to Cyn, who

  was being a good girl and grading more test papers. “So you girls had Chinese for dinner? That’s great. I

  hope you don’t get too sick of it before I get there.” Sam was

  almost to their spot and made sure she still had a strong signal

  on her phone.

  “Me, sick of the Tea Room? Never! Cyn had orange

  chicken tonight that she let me try. I may make that my new

  favorite. So is your lasagna in your stomach yet or still in your

  lungs?” Alex loved the fact that Sam wanted to talk to her, but

  not at the risk of indigestion.

  “No problem. I chewed it up completely and

  swallowed it slowly. I didn’t take that big of a piece. I’m still

  off my feed, so to speak. I miss my girlfriend something

  terrible and food just doesn’t sound that good right now.” Sam

  was losing those few extra pounds she put on while Alex had

  visited.

  “Ah, I miss you too. I guess I’m filling that space you

  left in my life with food, but when you arrive don’t be

  surprised if I want to nibble on you instead of food.” Alex was

  back on the front porch swing and broke open her cookie. “So

  my fortune cookie says, ‘Your principles mean more to you

  than any money or success.’ That’s not a fortune.” Alex felt

  cheated.

  “It may not be a fortune, but it’s true. And now you

  have it in writing from a higher source.” Sam held her cookie

  and wished she had Alex there to feed it to.

  “I guess. But it’s nice that I didn’t have to quit my job

  to get my point across. So how are the cookies and milk? Do

  you like to bake? I know you can cook, but baking is different.

  It can be a lot more work.” Alex wanted to get a few questions

  answered tonight.

  “The cookie is good. But, you know, not the same

  without you. I like to bake, but haven’t really done any since I

  came here. No kitchen to call my own, but I hope that all

  changes when I arrive. Do you like to bake?” Sam was hoping they could have an informative conversation in more than the

  cooking arena.

  “I love to bake. Jessie and I made cookies every time it

  rained at my old place and back here it rains a lot. Thank you

  for missing my cookie eating ability. I wish you were here to

  feed it to me. Can I ask you a non cooking question?” Alex

  wanted to dive into more probing topics.

  “Ask away. I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

  Sam had no secrets and wanted it to stay that way.

  “Do you like cats and sex?” Alex hadn’t realized she

  was going to ask the sex question so fast, but guessed it was

  something she wanted answered.

  “Well, not at the same time. But yes, I love both. I had

  cats growing up, but Teresa was allergic so we didn’t get one,

  which was a good thing. As for sex, I’ve come to love it more

  with you. I always felt Teresa was using it as a way of

  controlling me, so I shut down when we started to have

  trouble. In a way it was a good thing, otherwise I may have

  gone back to her when she asked.” Sam had been a little

  apprehensive about telling Alex that part, but no secrets or

  holding back information.

  “I can’t imagine manipulating someone like that, but

  I’m sure it happens. I truly love sex with my girlfriend and

  holding back for selfish reasons would be keeping me from

  having it. Why would I want to do that to myself? But then it’s

  all about me, isn’t it.” Alex chuckled, because that was exactly

  how it sounded.

  “I don’t think that. I see you as very thoughtful,

  caring, and considerate. So wanting your girlfriend to be happy

  is a priority to you. Although, it’s probably hurt you in the

  past, as you have been doing all the giving and none of the

  receiving. Of course, you need a girlfriend who is giving and

  that’s what you’ve lacked from your past lovers. Your choices

  may have been more of a reflex of chemistry and not so much

  a reflection of compatibility. But then I’m guilty
of the same

  thing. Why are we so wise after we’ve picked ourselves off the floor?” Sam thought if she had put this much thought into her relationship with Teresa she would have seen the giant red flags and known what they meant, instead of thinking, Oh look

  at the pretty red flag. I wonder who it belongs to?

  “I guess that’s why we get wiser with age. It’s all

  those bad experiences we’ve lived through and hopefully

  won’t repeat again. But I must say, I’ve just realized that I’ve

  been involved with several different women who all seemed to

  have similar personalities. You know that saying ‘same bitch,

  different dress.’ When I stop to analyze them, they have a lot

  in common. They all had type A personalities, but different

  parts have stood out, like controlling, selfish, and in total

  denial about any wrong doing. You are such a breath of fresh

  air because you know who you are, why you’re here and what

  you want. At least that’s the way I see you. Am I wrong or is

  that what you believe too?” Alex hoped that was what Sam

  was all about.

  “I sure hope so. If you think so then I must be doing

  something right.” Sam had been working on her self esteem

  for a long time now and it seemed to have paid off. “Great. So now that we have discussed those

  extremely important questions, how was your day?” Alex

  wished she was back at the ranch, but only because Sam was

  there.

  “Nothing out of the ordinary to report. Same old

  chores to be done. Andy told me to tell you hello and that he

  misses his big sister. He and I have been hanging together

  since Dean had to leave. We’re both a little down, but we

  know we’ll see you both again. How was your day? Anything

  exciting to report on your end?” Sam hoped for Alex’s sake

  that she would get her old boring life back soon enough. Alex relayed the events of the day and their meeting

  with the Sheriff to bring him up to speed on the latest

  information. Sam wanted Alex to be careful, but knew she