…So as Maria and Rosalie sat in Rosalie’s brightly-lit kitchen after enjoying a wonderful lunch of assorted cheeses, meat tortellini and tomato salad, Rosalie opened up to Maria. Over espresso, with a touch of anisette and a lemon peel, and some miniature cannolis as well, Rosalie poured her heart out. Maria, slowly sipping her espresso, calmly said, “With all due respect my dear friend, can I convince you that just maybe you were possibly scaring yourself Rosalie and there are no voices coming from that cellar. That’s quite a story.” Rosalie quickly responded, “You sound just like Franco, Maria! He took me down that cellar yesterday to prove to me that nothing is down there. Unfortunately, when he had me pretty much convinced that it could be my imagination, a wine bottle crashed to the floor, just as we were about to leave the cellar. It was almost like something down there wanted us to know that they were there and not going away. Franco explained it, however, by saying that I may have disturbed the bottles when I ran my fingers across the wine rack, then the vibrations from the traffic caused one of the bottles to fall. I let Franco think that I accepted that idea, because I believed I did – yesterday, anyway; but today I woke up and couldn’t shake the thought out of my head that someone or something pushed that bottle to the ground for a purpose…My God Maria, Franco and I shared such a romantic Mexican dinner last night and a wonderful time at home together. What is happening? Something is out to ruin my happiness. Something is out to destroy me!”
“Oh Rosalie,” Maria softly said, “Why are you doing this to yourself? What is happening to you? After all these years growing up in this house, living here now as an adult, sharing it with Franco, you believe it’s haunted all of a sudden?”
“I don’t know what to think Maria,” Rosalie responded. “I’m a nervous wreck over this and I don’t know what to do about it.” Maria sat quietly staring into her espresso, brainstorming for a moment, then quickly lifted up her head in amazement. Excitedly she yelled, “I have a great idea Rosalie! Let’s find a good psychic medium and have whoever it is go through the cellar to put your mind at ease. I’m suggesting this for your benefit Rosalie, not mine. I’m really not too crazy about this sort of thing, but I do believe with the right medium, you may find some answers. What do you think?” Rosalie, suddenly upbeat, responded, “I love that idea Maria. Let’s do it. I’ll tell Franco about it tonight. He’ll probably think I really went off the deep end, but if it’s something that could possibly put this situation to rest, I think he’ll go for it. I’m really excited about this, Maria. I need to know what’s going on before I go insane. Thank you Maria!”
So Maria and Rosalie discussed in detail how to go about finding a good, legitimate psychic medium. Maria suggested contacting the one on television, Ms. Jacqueline Price, who has her own program each week and who the police use when they need help finding a missing person. Maria volunteered to do all the leg work and make all the necessary phone calls in order to set up an appointment with this medium and have her come to Rosalie’s house to do a walk- through down the cellar. Rosalie jumped out of her seat, gave Maria a huge hug, and joyously exclaimed, “I love you Maria! You are truly my best friend. Aside from Franco, no one else would ever attempt to help me in a situation like this. They would run the other way and not look back. You have to admit, this is weird.” “Nonsense Rosalie,” Maria replied. “We have to get to the bottom of this. Even if this turns out to be nothing, which I’m sure it is, Franco and I want what’s best for you. We both want to put your mind at ease so you can go on and live your life in peace Rosalie. Franco adores you, and so do I. You’re very lucky to have Franco, Rosalie. He is there for you, and doesn’t try to control you. He listens to you, he works with you, he’s truly one of a kind Rosalie. Maybe I’ll find someone like that one day. Hang on to this man dear friend. Now let me run and get started on these plans. I may have to fly out to London, then Rome, to check out a new line of fashion for the store soon, so I want to at least set this up before I leave. Thank you so much Rosalie for lunch. It was delicious, as always. I’ll call you as soon as I hear something. Okay?..and say hello to your sexy boyfriend for me. Tell Franco I was asking for him. Did I tell you I ran into him last week? He was working on that new condo going up. Let me tell you, he’s got some strong physique. He looks great in a tank top Rosalie. Like I said, you’re lucky to have him. I should be so lucky.”
Rosalie stared into Maria’s eyes and said, “You’ll find love again. Give yourself time to heal from your last relationship. Mr. Right will come along. You’re beautiful Maria and you’ll have no problem finding a man – a good man this time. Maybe you’ll find one in London or Rome. Wouldn’t that be romantic? - and please hurry it up because you’re starting to drool over my Franco. He’s taken honey. You can look but don’t touch now.”
Maria laughed and gave Rosalie a kiss on the cheek. She jokingly said, “I thought we shared everything,” waiting in jest for a response from Rosalie, just for the fun of it. However, Rosalie stood silent. She didn’t utter a word. She was a step ahead of Maria this time. Rosalie just sweetly smiled so as not to play into Maria’s hands or feed her ego; and what an ego it was. Yes, they were the very best of friends, but Maria’s ego stretched far beyond that and Rosalie refused to acknowledge it, to Maria’s fancy. Maria laughed childishly and said, “Franco is like a brother to me…Oh God Rosalie, that would be like lusting over my brother. That would be incest. Don’t ever say anything like that again Rosalie. It makes me cringe at the thought.”
Rosalie stared at Maria like a parent would stare at a child and said, “Oh stop being so dramatic. Franco looks at you like a sister too, so don’t worry about lusting over him. It wouldn’t phase him in the least.” Maria, still laughing childishly, responded, “Well I’ll have to do something about that then. I’m losing my touch…and I’m just kidding with you Rosalie so just put a big smile back on that cute little face of yours, the face Franco loves so much. - Oh Rosalie…before I forget…here – take your keys back. I don’t need extra keys on my key chain to worry about. You know how quickly I lose things.”
Rosalie took the spare keys from Maria’s hands, thanking her for watching the house while Rosalie and Franco spent the weekend in the mountains a few weeks back; but then Rosalie proceeded to hand the keys back to Maria and said, “Don’t you want to keep the keys for an emergency, just in case we need you to watch the house again?” Rosalie liked covering all bases, all the time. She loved planning ahead. Yes, she was a control freak. This would be one less thing Rosalie would have to worry about if Maria held the keys. Maria quickly responded, “No thank you Rosalie. Please, don’t do me any favors by letting me hold those keys. I told you I lose things really quick and I don’t want to be held responsible for these keys. I travel a lot. I can lose them. I see you and Franco all the time. Just give them to me when you need to. Okay? Now let me run and get started on finding you that psychic medium. Love you. Call you soon.”
Rosalie excitedly pranced around the kitchen at the thought of a medium doing a walk- through down the cellar. Deep down in her heart she felt this would bring her the answers she needed. She hummed happy tunes to herself while she cleaned off the table and washed up the dishes, anxiously awaiting the few hours left before Franco would return home. She just couldn’t wait to tell him all about Maria’s wonderful idea. Rosalie felt peace and inner strength at this moment. She also felt such sisterly love for her best friend Maria who, although a handful at times, was simply harmless and always willing to be there if needed. Rosalie admired Maria’s stoicism and used it to her advantage. She allowed it to overshadow Maria’s egotistical tendencies, never knowing which was better or which was worse. It all depended upon the circumstances. They both played on each other – in a good way, and that’s what seemed to make their friendship work. Rosalie then turned on the computer in her bedroom and continued to work on her latest mystery novel, typing away with a beaming smile on her face and an eagerness to see things through.
As Rosalie became lo
st in her writing for the next couple of hours, feeling every emotion of every character she created on the computer screen, oblivious to her surroundings, a wonderful interruption would soon thrust Rosalie back into the real world. Of course that wonderful interruption would be the one and only Franco…As Franco approached Rosalie from behind, tip-toeing across the bedroom floor like a crafty feline, effortlessly going unnoticed, he suddenly fell over his own feet. His cover was blown. Rosalie quickly turned and jumped from her chair in a fit of laughter, before Franco could pull off his surprise entrance. She silently stared at him for a few seconds, shaking her head back and forth, intentionally prolonging Franco’s embarrassing moment, then asked, “Are you alright Franco? Did you enjoy your trip?...You know you deserved that one. That’s what you get for sneaking up on me. You see, God was watching. He stopped you in your tracks my love...Oh you poor thing. Don’t look so defeated. I love you anyway…and besides, where is my kiss?” Franco, getting past the moment, wrapped his arms around Rosalie and said, “You can’t fault a guy for trying. I love sneaking up on you Rosalie, because you end up jumping right into my arms like a scared little girl and I get to comfort you all night. See what you lost out on now, Rosalie?” Franco then kissed Rosalie’s lips so passionately that she fell limp in his muscular arms. He picked her up and carried her over to the sofa where they both sank into the soft plump cushions, locking their arms and legs around each other and enjoying the happy silence as one.
…Some time later they realized they had both dozed off with their bodies still intertwined. Rosalie, staring into Franco’s eyes said, “What was in that kiss? It must have been something really strong because it sure knocked us out.” Franco proudly chuckled and replied, “I guess it’s the power of us.” He got up from the sofa, took Rosalie’s hand, and led her into the kitchen for a cup of Espresso, a shot of anisette, and some good conversation about the day’s events.
As they sat at the kitchen table this evening like they often do, sipping Espresso, holding hands and staring into each other’s eyes, Rosalie began telling Franco all about her visit with Maria today and Maria’s suggestion to seek out the services of a psychic medium. Rosalie went on and on about how this medium is very famous. She stated that her name is Jacqueline Price, anxiously awaiting for some indication from Franco that he heard of Ms. Price; however, Franco showed no indication whatsoever that he heard of Jacqueline Price. Rosalie then added that Ms. Price has a very successful television show and, last but not least, the police use her on their missing persons’ cases. “Isn’t this wonderful for us Franco?” Rosalie excitedly asked. Franco’s reaction to all of this was not what Rosalie expected at all. He yelled out, “Are you crazy Rosalie? A medium? Is Maria crazy? I think you’ve both lost it. I thought we made some progress Rosalie when we both went down to the cellar together. Didn’t we? Or was that just an act to satisfy me?” Stunned at the look on Franco’s face, Rosalie responded by saying that she did feel a little better with Franco at her side while they both went down to the cellar, but she needed more. Deep down in her heart and soul she needed more convincing. Rosalie went on to say that when Maria came up with the idea of having a medium do a walk-through of the cellar, she suddenly felt a true relief, knowing that this just may be the one way to discover the truth of what was or wasn’t down that cellar. Rosalie told Franco she was just tired of being scared and frustrated all the time. She placed Franco’s hand in hers and lovingly asked him to please support her on this. She just couldn’t stand the “not knowing” of it all. She wanted Franco to understand that Maria was the closest thing she had to a sister and she trusted her judgment completely. Franco seemed a bit hurt by that remark because he wanted to be the only one that Rosalie trusted completely. Rosalie picked up on this immediately and quickly erased the hurt from Franco’s eyes by telling him they were both just too close to this issue and, as an outsider, Maria was the one who could be more objective to this situation and possibly help both she and Franco get to the bottom of things so they could happily move on with their lives.
It was obvious that the wheels were turning in Franco’s brain as he toyed with the idea of having a medium do a walk-through down the cellar. He didn’t seem comfortable with the idea but he told Rosalie they could give it a try because he really didn’t have a better idea to solve this mystery and ease Rosalie’s fears. Rosalie was ecstatic. If Franco wasn’t onboard, it would make this whole process that more difficult.
As they both sat quietly, contemplating how this would all work out, the doorbell rang. Franco rushed to his feet, happy to escape his own thoughts on the matter, and ran downstairs to open the front door. Standing there was Maria with a great big smile on her face and a great big pizza in her arms. Franco led Maria up the stairs to the apartment asking, “To what do we owe this pleasure Maria?” He then took the pizza from Maria’s arms, gave her a pinch on the cheek, then jokingly said, “So it’s the ‘seeker of mediums’ herself - in the flesh.” Maria just puckered her lips and blew a kiss into the air in Franco’s direction, then walked past him towards the kitchen and helped herself to a seat near Rosalie. Franco swore it was the kiss of death, then looked up into the heavens and smiled. “A medium,” he thought…“Oh GOD, I hope you’re with us on this one.”
So the three of them sat around the kitchen table munching on pizza and sipping red wine, as Maria unleashed her plan of attack on both he and Rosalie. Maria went on to say that she spoke to her boss at the Department store who has influential media connections through his Public Relations team. He made a few phone calls and was able to obtain the services of the well-known psychic medium Jacqueline Price. “I’m sure you’ve both seen the show or at least know of it,” Maria added. Rosalie nodded affirmatively, while Franco shook his head indicating not. Maria went on to say that Ms. Price is very willing to take this job on and is actually excited about doing the walk-through and helping Rosalie.
Franco loudly interrupted and asked, “How much is this going to cost Maria? I’m sure Ms. Price doesn’t work for nothing.” Maria responded that she wasn’t quite sure, but that Franco and Rosalie shouldn’t put a price on their peace of mind and finding out the truth. Maria even offered to chip in with them if her services are pricey. She convinced Franco that between the three of them, they could cover the cost. However, she did recall her boss mentioning that Ms. Price said that she would give Rosalie a fair deal and that it wouldn’t be so much about the money; whatever that means. Franco sarcastically responded, “Oh I feel so much better about it now Maria.” Maria just laughed at Franco and told him not to worry about it. She truly believed Ms. Price would do good by them both. Rosalie seemed really pleased and happy about that, so Franco forced an extremely tight-lipped smile for her benefit but held on to his feelings of skepticism. Maria sensed a bit of resentment from Franco for presenting this idea of a medium to Rosalie, but she knew Franco would eventually come around if this put Rosalie at ease.
Franco then said, “So tell us Maria. When is the big day for this walk-through? I plan on taking the day off from work to be here.” Rosalie looked at Franco and smiled, playfully twirling his thick locks of hair between her fingers, trying to keep things light. Maria responded, “Well that’s the thing guys. It’s tomorrow. That’s the only day Ms. Price could fit you in because of her television show commitments. So consider yourselves lucky.” Rosalie and Franco both stared at Maria in annoyance and disbelief. That didn’t give them much time for this whole thing to sink in. Rosalie, a bit upset at this point, said to Maria, “How do I prepare for this, it’s too soon. I appreciate you doing this Maria, but tomorrow? That’s pushing it, don’t you think?” Maria responded that there was nothing Rosalie needed to do to prepare for this. She said, “Just dress pretty, put a smile on your face and let Ms. Price do all the work.” Maria stated that she would come by with Ms. Price in the morning and assured both Rosalie and Franco that all will work out fine. So they all raised their wine glasses in unison to seal the deal, then hungrily bu
ried their faces in more pizza.
CHAPTER THREE – MEETING JACQUELINE PRICE
Voices Page 3