Roses in the Sand

by CS Patra

  “Well, it’s not all vacation and fun for me. I came here to do some work. I’m a writer, you see. I figured this was the best place for a writer to be in.”

  “Are you working on anything new?” Johanna asked.

  “Not at the moment, no. I’ve been struck with writer’s block and it’s hard to get around,” Lily said. “I just came over here because I needed a break from the whole world.”

  “Oh, tell me something I don’t know! I’ve been stuck with writer’s block as well and I can’t seem to get around it. I was hoping that this vacation would help me out. So far, I don’t think it's done anything.”

  “Yeah, it’s a great place but I don’t think I’ve gotten much work down. I’m Lily, by the way. Lily Ballentine.” Lily shook her hand.

  “Jo,” Johanna didn’t dare mention her full name. The moment that Lily Ballentine would find out the truth, then everyone else would be after her. Being plain old Jo would get her around anywhere she wanted to be. Lily didn’t seem to recognize her so all was good so far.

  “What do you do for a living, Jo? Do you write?”

  “Yeah, I write. I haven’t published a thing though,” Johanna said. “I’m trying to get that Great American Novel out on paper and I haven’t done that.”

  “Same here. I have my computer and I’ve published books, but this new one is bothering me. It’s like I can’t write down my thoughts. I have so many of them and I have a lot of work to do. I just can’t seem to get anything written. My fingers aren’t going to do the typing without any inspiration.”

  “Have you gone anywhere to get some inspiration?”

  “Oh, I’ve been walking up and down the beach and taking in the salty air,” she sighed. “I love the atmosphere, but it isn’t doing much for my writer’s block.”

  “I don’t blame you. I thought that I would get something from here but it’s just lovely scenery,” Johanna sighed. “Want to go for a walk on the beach? I need some air to clear my head.”

  “Sure!” Lily exclaimed. “I could use some company out here. I’ve been lonely for the last couple of nights. I might get some inspiration from somewhere else for a change.”

  “Yeah, same here. My mind is all dried up,” Johanna shook her head. “I’m glad I feel a little better after meeting you. I like you.”

  “I like you too,” Lily said. “I know this is going to be very bold of me, but I was wondering if you would like to go have dinner. It depends on if you’re free though.”

  “Dinner is good. I eat dinner.” Johanna nodded.

  “What a coincidence! So do I!” Lily laughed awkwardly. “Anyway, I saw a great Chinese place that’s a few blocks away. You like Chinese food, don’t you?”

  “Oh, man, I love Chinese food!” Johanna exclaimed. “I’m so glad you mentioned that! I’ve been hankering for some good Chinese food for a long time.”

  “Then let’s make a date!” Lily didn’t mean for the words to come out like that but it happened. “I’m sorry. Let’s go out for dinner sometime. In fact, do you think you’re free now?”

  “I’m plenty free, yes. Let’s go get something to eat!”

  The two of them left the bar and headed down the street for some Chinese food. Lily told Johanna everything that she liked to eat there. “I don’t know if you’re a fan of crab legs but they have some of the best crab legs I’ve ever eaten. They also have amazing egg rolls and wontons. Oh, and their hot and sour soup is also amazing! The best part is that it’s made with chicken broth, not beef. They also have plenty of vegetarian options if you prefer those.”

  “Oh, good. I don’t eat beef so this works out perfect for me,” Johanna said. “I can’t wait to try it out!”

  “I can’t wait for you to try it either.” Lily said.

  “Me too,” Johanna exclaimed. “I’ve been aching for good Chinese food for a while. It would be much better to have someone to eat this with.”

  Together, they arrived at the Chinese together and spent some time. Lily was feeling excited beyond anything. She had finally found someone. She had found someone to spend time with.

  She couldn’t wait to find out more about Jo.

  Chapter 4

  This was how everything started between them. Johanna and Lily loved getting to know each other. After their date at the Chinese restaurant, they made a date to have breakfast at a coffee shop that was close to the hotel. It turned out that Johanna loved coffee just as much as Lily did.

  The two of them spent every morning walking down to the beach and talking about everything they could think of. Sometimes, they would run into the water and spend some time down there. Johanna was a fantastic listener. She had no problems listening to Lily’s stories from the restaurant and all the bad customers that she had over the years. She was also in awe at how Lily told the stories. She seemed to have every single detail down pat. She knew about all the people that had spilled food on the floor, the people who screamed about their bills, and people who came in with children that wouldn’t behave properly. She also knew details about the stoners that would come in the middle of the night and order about eighteen pies. She had mountains of stories that she could tell anyone.

  “I make it sound more exciting than it really is,” Lily finished off. “Working in a pizza parlor has taught me a lot of things that I didn’t know before. I got burned accidentally once when trying to cut someone’s pizza,” she showed her the tiny burn mark. “It wasn’t too bad, but still annoying to deal with.”

  “I admire you,” Johanna said. “You are able to deal with all kinds of people and you haven’t lost your mind yet. I really don’t know how you do it.”

  Lily had always wanted to be a writer, but she also knew it wasn’t the most stable job out there. She knew that she would have to earn a lot in order to live comfortably. That was why she had taken a few odd jobs here and there. In those jobs, she would get her health insurance and other things that she needed to survive. It wasn’t the greatest job, but it was something and it still gave her some time to write. She had succeeded with the first two books, but this next one was becoming a problem.

  Johanna showed her some of her music and allowed her to borrow it. “Just make sure you give it back to me when you’re done with it.”

  “Sure thing,” Lily agreed, taking a few of the discs with her. “I didn’t know you had so much music lying around.”

  “Well, it comes with the job,” Johanna shrugged, wondering if now was the time to tell Lily the truth. “The music industry is tough.”

  “You work in the music industry?”

  “Yeah, but it’s nothing special. I do mostly paperwork and boring office things,” Johanna lied. “I know I’ve got a lot of leather in my wardrobe, but that’s all part of the work. I don’t have a really interesting job.”

  “It’s probably better than the job I have. I wait tables. It’s not too bad, but it’s not exactly what I wanted to do either,” Lily sighed. “I always thought I would have a much better future than this. I thought that I would be earning billions with my writing and end being the next JK Rowling. I guess you could say that I was aiming a little too high.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with aiming high as long as you are realistic,” Johanna said. “From the sounds of it, you know that. You know you’ll have to work hard to get what you want in the end.”

  She was a little apprehensive after how things had gone down with previous lovers. Most of them hooked up with her only because she was a member of a band. They were only there just so they could get close to the band. Once they got what they wanted, they dropped Johanna and left before anyone could say goodbye. Johanna had been crushed too many times that she vowed never to tell anyone about her. If they found out about her on their own, great. If they didn’t, then she wouldn’t tell a soul. So far, Lily seemed to be clueless about the whole thing. She wanted her to stay that way.

  As long as I’m plain old Jo, she won’t suspect a thing. Johanna thought. She won’t know who I really
am or what I truly do for a living.

  Lying to people was not fun. She especially didn’t want to lie to Lily because she was growing fond of her. No one made her feel the way that Lily did. No one gave her the goosebumps that Lily gave her. Even now, as they were standing next to each other, she could feel the spark between them. She just wanted to know if Lily felt the same way.

  “Lily, can I ask you something?” She began.

  “Sure thing, Jo. What is it?”

  “Do you think we’re good friends at this point?”

  “Well, we know each other rather well now. We may not know everything, but we know enough. I know that I can trust you with my life if I need to. I know you’re the kind of person I have no qualms walking around with. In short, I think we are good friends.”

  “What if I was holding a big secret from you?”

  “Depends on how big that secret is. Did you murder someone?”

  “No.”

  “Are you married?”

  “No.”

  “Are you cheating on your husband?”

  “Hell no! Come on, Lily! We're not living in a soap opera! Come up with some serious choices here!”

  “Okay, okay. Let’s see...it’s not murder, an affair, or marriage. There’s no baby involved, is there?”

  “Lily!” Johanna was amused, but she was also getting tired of this. “I’m being serious here. How would you feel if I was holding the world’s biggest secret from you.”

  “I, uh…” Lily paused for a second. “It depends on how big the secret is. What do you mean by world’s biggest?”

  “What if I told you I wasn’t who I claimed to be?”

  “Why, who are you claiming to be?”

  “What if I work in the music industry, but not as what I claim to be?” She asked. “What if I did a completely different job?”

  “Why would that bother me?” Lily asked. “If you have a low paying job, that’s not going to dampen our relationship. I have a low paying job as well. I work in a pizzeria trying to pay my bills! I’m not going to judge you if the job isn’t exactly glamorous.”

  “Oh, good,” Johanna sighed. “Yeah, it’s a lot more different than office work. It’s a bit more…hectic to say the least.”

  “My job is always hectic. Hence why I’m here. I’m trying to get away from all things hectic,” Lily said. “Trust me, Jo. Whatever you do, I’m not going to think less of you for it.”

  “Mmm, that’s what I love about you, Lily. You don’t judge anyone. That’s a good trait to have,” Johanna winked at her. “That’s why I feel like I can tell you anything.”

  “Nothing you ever tell me is ever going to make me think less of you,” Lily promised. “You already got the big things out of the way. Are you a famous rock star or something?”

  “Actually…I am.” Johanna nodded. “I’m not the most important member, but I am in a rock band.”

  Lily laughed. “I knew it!”

  “You did?”

  “Yeah, I figured when I saw your hair and your wardrobe. You either have to be a member of the band or a groupie. Judging from your attitude, I don’t think you’re a groupie. Therefore, you must be in a rock band. Now let me guess which rock band you’re in!”

  “Ah, that might be a little harder, but I will give you a little hint,” Johanna showed her the spider tattoo that she had. “Does this ring a bell?”

  “Um…” Lily tried to think about where she had seen the tattoo before. “I…I know it looks familiar. I just can’t figure out who else has that tattoo out there. Are you the lead singer of the band?”

  “No.”

  “Do you play the guitar?”

  “No.”

  “How about the bass?”

  “Nope! Come on, Lily. There’s only one other choice out there.”

  “You’re the drummer?”

  “Bingo!”

  “Awesome! I love drummers!”

  “You’re just saying that because you found out about me,” Johanna laughed.

  “I mean it though. Everyone gives all the love to the lead singer and the guitar player and the drummer ends up getting nothing in return. That’s just not fair. I bet you’re an amazing drummer too. You deserve to have a lot of fans.”

  “You’re just too kind, Lily. Thank you though. You’re right about one thing; no one really gives drummers a lot of credit. We’re the ones that keep the beat going, but we’re in the back so no one notices. In some ways, that’s a good thing. I’m not hounded by crazy fans as the others in the band are. I’m free to roam about without worrying about someone noticing me. I can play the drums to my heart’s content and I have freedom to go wherever I want.”

  “That must be nice. You get the perks without the pain.”

  “Yeah, that is a good thing,” Johanna agreed. “I can travel anywhere I want and play my instrument without worrying too much about my image. Of course, I still have to be careful. One wrong move and I could end up on a million gossip mags.”

  “I suppose I never have to worry about that,” Lily said. “No one cares to know much about a writer’s life. Unless you’ve got a crazy life, they usually leave you alone. That might be a good thing though.”

  “You have no idea how lucky you are,” Johanna said. “You aren’t surrounded by band mates that are notorious for causing trouble. They’re the ones that end up as front page news, not me. I know better than to do something that’ll have people talking about me.”

  “You must have a very exciting life,” Lily said. “It sounds far more exciting than mine.”

  “Your life sounds more ideal to me,” Johanna said. “Perhaps you can tell me more about it over some coffee. Let’s say tomorrow morning? You drink coffee, right?”

  “Yes, I drink coffee.” Lily nodded. “I would love to meet up with you then.”

  “It’s a date! I’ll see you tomorrow morning!”

  Yes, it was a date. Whether or not Johanna meant to say it like that, it was definitely a date. They were going out again and they were going to spend a lot of time together.

  And Lily couldn’t wait for that to happen.

  Chapter 5

  While Johanna had spilled her secrets out, Lily was still struggling to talk about herself. Lily liked Johanna and wasn’t too worried about being hurt by her. Johanna hadn’t lied about anything after all. Even now, as they were heading to the coffee shop to get something to drink, Lily trusted her. So Johanna was a musician. That didn’t mean she was a bad person.

  They had already shared their first kiss the night before. Johanna was dropping her off at her apartment when Lily leaned over and pecked her on the cheek. It was such a sudden thing that she didn’t realize what she was doing. Before she could apologize, Johanna leaned over and kissed her on the mouth. The two of them were locked in a passionate kiss and no one could pull them apart. They didn’t stop kissing until Johanna pulled away.

  “Sorry. I shouldn’t have_” She began but Lily wouldn’t let her finish. She leaned in and finished off the kiss. This was what she had been waiting for. She could feel Johanna pulling her off her feet and twirling her around. They felt like an old married couple at that moment.

  “Kiss me all the time,” Lily suggested when Johanna put her down. “I like the way you kiss.”

  That had been last night. Tonight, they were acting like nothing had happened. Their date to the coffee shop was still on, but neither wanted to talk about the kiss. They were pretending that it never took place. However, Lily could still feel Johanna’s lips against hers. They still burned from the kisses. She put her hand to her mouth and touched where Johanna’s mouth had been. It felt good. She kept looking at Johanna’s mouth and wanted to kiss her again.

  “You’ve got to tell me all about being a writer,” Johanna said as they sat down to have some coffee. “I’m sure that there has to be some excitement to it.”

  “Being a writer isn’t all that glamorous. Sure, you get your own set of fans, but you have to work hard every
single moment of your life. You have to use your time wisely. Sometimes, you have so much time but the ideas don’t come as easily. That’s when it becomes a little hard to deal with. You hit a wall and then you spend so much time trying to dig yourself out of a hole.”

  “How many books have you published so far?”

  “The one I’m working on is going to be my eleventh.”

  “Eleven?! Damn, that’s a lot! I’m highly impressed with you.”

  “Oh, it’s not that impressive. The other books came to me much easier than this one is. I’ve been trying to write this book for some time now,” Lily said. “I just keep getting blocked whenever I want to write it. I sit down, I have everything ready, and I draw blanks. That’s all that’s been happening with me. It happened at home and it’s happening here as well. I thought that maybe some of the stress at work would fuel me, but it doesn’t.”