Chapter 1
Love letter in my head:
“Meko, when I met you, I didn’t expect you to become so important to me. I thought about you the entire train ride. I didn’t even try catching up on my newspapers and magazines and final exam essays that need grading. I loved that I chose to stare out of the window instead.
Yours,
Olivia”
I wanted a brief affair, no more than three months long.
I first saw her at the Nina’s Art Gallery. It still stands out in my memory. I was in the center of the room, standing near Nina and her group of Patrons and other friends and gallery people. Meko gazed upward, tilting her whole head and neck to take in a painting on the wall. It wasn’t one of the terrible ones. Knowing Nina, the painting was the product of some not-famous-unknown-art-school-dropout vying for a spot on the NYC Art Scene. I never found out.
It was the way she craned her neck, her hair moving with it. Her arms, folded, and champagne flute held at the stem. The golden liquid, effervescent and shimmering, competed with the lights crowning her head like a halo. Her oversized blouse and pants, both linen, stood out against her hair, a straight black bob. Her red lips peeked through the side of her hair, relaxed and wide - a little point formed where her lips met. She seemed a bit bold, arrogant even. A stark contrast to all the forty-something-Yuppie-Lesbians in their shift dresses and dockers. Blondes and buzz cuts were the norm here. She was a lotus flower with a sharp edge.
Recovering from a recent breakup, I decided to walk up to her and offer to fill her cup. I am a blonde. A tall, thin blonde. I work out. My hair is also shoulder-length, full and ombre; a more relaxed cut. I was wearing a bright blue belted shift dress. I left my suit jacket in the car. My nude pumps matched her shirt better than my dress. My recent upgrade of shiny new veneers and diamond studs also competed with the lights. So did my gel French manicured tips. I remember I smiled a little too big and tipped her glass the other way as I stood in front of her to her side.
She looked up for a brief second then startled, held her champagne close to her bosom. She laughed. Her laugh was wonderful. I still stood there smiling like a fool. God she’s beautiful. Very earthy, feminine, and delightful. How oblivious she was to my approach. It made me feel a little awkward when she glanced up at my blue eyes, my smile waned only a little when I asked
“Sorry did I startle you? I’m Olivia. I’m friends with Nina, she owns the gallery, would you like another drink?”
“Sure! Thanks. Meko.” She passed the glass in a quick thrust forward, smiling, then pointing to her chest.
Taken aback, I shook my head to wake up, and said “Great!”
I remember wondering Meko’s age. Up close, she seemed older than when she was standing with her back toward me. At first glance, I thought she was twenty-something. How lovely. I have a shot.
When I came back with two fresh champagne flutes, I saw that Meko was standing exactly where I left her. I stood next to her, admiring the painting.
“What is this one called?” I said as I passed Meko the drink over my left arm. The linen felt rough against my exposed arm.
“Dusk. It’s by one of the students at Tisch. They call themselves Adm.”
“What do you think?”
“Well, it seems like a painting inspired by Lomography. It is abstract but chronicles light more like a photograph. They are very good. The use of the canvas is fascinating. It makes me feel as though I am peering through a lens looking at a patch of sky from a higher vantage point.”
“Wow. Ok. I see blue and white and shade, in-between, mingling together in a sort of ordered chaos. And yeah, it does look like a sky changing color, like dusk. What does it make you feel?”
“Wonder. Gratitude. Wistful. It’s so dreamy. They must have a head full of stars. I would love to see more of their work.”
“I’ll ask Nina a bit later. Would you like that?”
“Yes… Olivia? That would be lovely.”
When I opened my eyes, I realized I dozed off again. My trip to visit my best friend, starting. I opened my phone to check if I had any messages. Only one from Meko, asking to call when I was thirty minutes away.
“Wonderful.” With about five minutes left on my train ride, I called Meko.
“Baby I’m close to home. I fell asleep and didn’t see your message until now.”
“Sweetheart! I’m here with the girls. No worries. You’re getting off at a major hub. Grab a bite and sit tight. I’ll get there as soon as I can.”
“Great. I’ll see you soon. Do you want anything?”
“Surprise me! I love presents! See you. I love you too, my best present! Bye Baby!”
“Love you. Bye.”
I got off the train and waited to get inside the main hall. I spotted a gift shop and looked for something Meko would like. My bag was heavy from the papers I had to grade.
I put the seafoam green suede duffel on my floor next to my feet. A child running past tripped and flew over my bag landing on their hands and stomach. Another blonde boy, running after what looked like his brother, also lurched forward as he rolled over to try to stay out of the way of my bag and his brother. I stood dumbfounded, holding a paperback romance novel in my hands.
