by Aliyat Lecky
Helen grabbed her Blackberry to check the date. She made a special note to accept Sydney’s invitation. Erica and Sammie were not with Sydney on their last date. She would have to get there early in order to buy them gifts from the gift shop. Sydney never allowed them to purchase those overpriced stuffed animals in the lobby shop. Nor would she allow Helen to buy them for the girls if she was there to stop her.
The next call was a complete surprise: “Hello, Helen. It is me, Magda. I just wanted to say I had fun at your party. I’m sorry I had to leave early, but you know Sunday at the bakery starts pretty early.” She paused before continuing. “Look, I just wanted to say, well, I am calling because I was wondering if you want to go out for a drink or dinner. Maybe, I don’t know. It looked like you and your sweet young peach might be getting on pretty well. But I thought I’d give you a call.”
Helen didn’t know what to make of Magda’s call. Helen thought back to the first time she had ever met Magda. It was during her first trip to Sappho’s Repose. Magda was engaged in a serious conversation with Mom, and was rude to Helen when they first met, despite the fact that she was there as a customer. Helen hit the rewind button in order to listen to Magda’s message again. She didn’t want to misinterpret the message. She listened again. The second time assured Helen that she had indeed properly interpreted Magda’s message. Her voice was soft and hopeful. Magda even sounded a little timid. To Helen’s memory, Magda had never sounded bashful.
Angie’s serene voice filled the room next: “Helen, it is I, Angie, Queen of All She Surveys. It is exactly three forty-eight a.m. I’m calling to let you know that I have just made mad passionate love to my man. In fact, it is only because he has boned me so expertly that I have the clarity to remember that Marsha called me yesterday. Looks like we have a few common tour dates. Give me a call so we can compare dates. I know Orlando wants to get to know Noami, so consider bringing her along. Well, I have to go now, because Orlando is trying once again to ravage my body. I love you. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, but I bet you are right now as I speak. Oh, and check your fax. Marsha planned to fax over our dates. I have mine, so you should have yours. Call me, woman.”
Helen shook her head. What was she going to do with Angie? She looked over at the fax machine. Sure enough, there was a fax waiting there for her. She would have to retrieve it later before she called her agent back.
The final call was a hang-up. Helen picked up the receiver and scrolled down. Richard’s number flashed on the caller ID line.
Helen opened one of the book files she was working on. She wasn’t quite ready to return any of the phone calls. She was feeling pretty good, and wanted to keep out the rest of the world for a while. She reached up to open the small window over her desk. She breathed in the fresh, cool air. She shivered a little, but didn’t mind the slight chill of the new season. She wanted to keep the world away, but didn’t mind welcoming in the spring.
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aliyat Lecky grew up in Oakland, CA, the sixth of seven siblings raised by a single mother. She received a BA in Ethnic Studies from Sonoma State University, in CA. Additionally, she earned a MA in Curriculum & Instruction, and an EdS in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, where she is currently enrolled in a doctoral program (where she discovered the value and power of personal narratives).
Currently she resides in Florida where she enjoys spending time with family and friends and continues to work on other writing projects. She is an English teacher who has enjoyed 20+ years working in education. While she has found that she truly enjoys this fulfilling work, her passion has always been, and will continue to be, creating fiction. Finding meaning in and examining women issues through narrative is a satisfying endeavor, and composing prose that reflects stimulating ideas is something that resonates with her entirely. Aliyat has an interesting perspective on life, especially concerning women’s topics and has many provocative ideas to share. She writes in the tradition of Women’s fiction, with a contemporary appeal.
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CONTACT THE AUTHOR
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EMAIL
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WEBSITE
www.aliyatlecky.com