Music of the Soul 1, 2, & 3 Starter Bundle

by Erik Schubach

  A few minutes into the movie, Bevi was snoring on her side of the couch... I used that opportunity to turn back and start a slow make out session with Riley. God, can this girl kiss! We started kissing deeper and more passionately so I twisted around and straddled her and attacked her neck with my lips while my hands made their way over her shirt to gently cup and massage her breasts through it. I could feel the outline of her lacy bra with my fingertips, just fueling my fire.

  Her breath hitched, and I don't think she was breathing anymore as I took control. But just like that, we were snapped back to reality by my phone ringing. Then chaos ensued. Bev sat up glancing at us, quirking an eyebrow then looking toward my phone. I jumped off of Riley, landing unceremoniously on my butt on the ground. Riley was glancing between Bevi and I with a cute blush.

  Embarrassed and blushing myself, I grabbed my cell from the coffee table and stood up and answered it, walking a few paces away toward the kitchen, my back to the girls, “Hello?” I choked out. My blood ran cold, I should have checked caller ID first. I didn't want a conversation like this now. “No Earl, this isn't a good time. No... I'm busy all week. Yes. No, I don't foresee any time in the future. Okay, you too... goodbye.”

  I just stood there, slowing down my breathing and my heartbeat as I heard Riley ask Bev, “Who is Earl?” Beverly answered without thinking... like she always does when she is tipsy, “Oh just one of her booty calls whenever he has business in town...” her voice trailed off and I knew she was silently cussing at herself, like I was. I turned nervously as Riley stood up and started walking toward the door.

  I went to intercept but she held a hand up, I saw a tears in her eyes as she spoke, not slowing down, “That's it. I can't play this damn game anymore. You made me fall in love with you to win a goddamn bet, you made me think it was real. Go back to your straight girl world, you win.”

  Fall in love? She loves me too? I was tearing up now, trying to grab her arm but she shrugged me away as she opened the door and walked out into the hall.

  “No Riley, it isn't like that at all. Let me explain!” I pleaded as she just kept walking. “Let me drive you home and we can talk about this! You don't understand!” I yelled. She just turned down the stairs hissing, “I'll find my own way home!”

  I slipped to the floor sobbing. Bevi was there holding me, “I'm so sorry, Krustallos. I didn't think before I opened my goddamn mouth!” She reached over with one hand and closed the door and just sat there stroking my hair as she rocked me while I cried.

  Chapter 9 – A Month in Purgatory

  For weeks I tried calling her, leaving messages, texting her. I sat outside her loft but she would ignore me. I was starting to feel like a stalker. More nights than not, I'd cry myself to sleep. Bevi would always know and would come comfort me, protect me in bed and have chocolate pudding cups ready for me in the mornings.

  I was off my game. It took more effort than normal for me to arrange the parties for my clients, but I was somehow still pulling it off. Probably because I was just on autopilot, just going through the motions of a routine ingrained into me from years of practice. My mind was elsewhere, I didn't even feel satisfied negotiating trades and putting others in my debt. Her brown eyes were all I could see whenever I closed mine.

  Cougar Mountain called about iFORk, but Takara refused to speak to me, instead it was some flunky who spoke with me, Hector. They would bring many of the safer animals and birds to the Urban Safari along with a ton of educational materials. At least I could still focus on iFORk, it seemed to be the only thing I still had any sort of passion for.

  My heart would ache any time I saw a familiar plane with a purple wave on it flying over the city. It amazed me how I never looked to the sky much before, to notice things like that. Bev said that she had been seeing that plane for a couple years, it was like an fixture in the Seattle area. When I thought about it, though I had never paid much attention before, I'm quite sure I had seen it before, too. But now, any time I heard a small plane in the sky I'd look, just in case it was her.

  I found myself going to places like Record Nirvana or to the Space Needle just to savor the memories. Is heartbreak supposed to hurt so much? My chest actually ached. This is why I never did relationships before. This can't be healthy for anyone.

  There were times I felt so lonely, my first instinct was to call Riley, that realization just made it hurt that much more. So I decided to just go back to my old ways, to just call some of the guys I knew and just get a few one night stands out of my system to help me forget. But I could never get myself to pick up the phone.

  It would be like betraying Riley, like cheating on her. But we aren't together, God damn it! I couldn't even bring myself to hit the clubs with Bevi. I would be faithful to the memory of us, no matter how brain damaged that seemed since we were never a couple. We never would be, all because I was too much of a coward to speak the truth the whole time.

  I stopped taking new parties jobs for the month so I could just concentrate on the only good thing I had left in the world besides Bev, the iFORk. But it seemed the fates weren't done with their sadistic screwing with me yet.

  The morning of the iFORk I got a call from Thomas Cabbot, the host of the 'Stuff of Nature' from the Earth cable channel at 9:00am. He was going to speak at the opening ceremony at 5:00pm tonight. His plane had been grounded in Missoula, Montana with some technical issue, and the only other flight that could get him here in time was booked solid.

  What else could possibly go wrong in my life? The kids would be so disappointed. Thomas was a big draw for the iFORk. It was things like these famous guests that made the iFORk a memorable and special experience for these kids. I felt like crying again. My emotions are so volatile lately.

  Bev came to the rescue again. “So what's the problem? Aren't you Crystal friggin' James? Wouldn't she be able to salvage this somehow? What would she do?”

  I needed that slap to the face. I smirked meekly at her. “Well if Crystal were here, she'd make the best of the resources she has available to band-aide the problem.”

  Bevi grinned. “Well then, hop to it girl!”

  I called Cougar Mountain and spoke with Hector to see if I could get one of their zookeepers to speak at the opening ceremony tonight. It would mean more exposure for them, and the kids could hear from an actual zookeeper. It wasn't Thomas Cabbot, but it was still a cool thing for the kids.

  I cringed when I heard on the television that news of the guest speaker change-up had been leaked. [[ Thomas Cabbot, host of Stuff of Nature is marooned in Missoula, Montana and won't be able to attend the iFORk opening ceremony. The iFORk has always been on shaky ground, being a non profit venture. Without draws like Thomas Cabbot, the future if the iFORk festival is seems unstable. It was the brainchild of local resident Crystal James. But in a society driven by profit, it has always been a nice pie in the sky idea that looks to be proving to be just that. ]]

  What the hell? They make it sound like iFORk is failing! I frigging hate the news media. They try to sensationalize everything. iFORk isn't just an idea, it is an ideal. People helping people to help others. THAT is what society strives for! I just shook my head at their audacity.

  Bev had to talk me down from my angry internal rant. “Whoa! Unclench those fists, Rocky! The reporters are just idiots trying to make a story out of nothing, Kru. IFORk isn't going anywhere, sis.”

  I flickered a smile at her. “It's scary how well we know each other sometimes, Bevi.”

  She snorted back, “Well, get your head in the game and lets make this the best iFORk yet!” I nodded and we walked out of the condo to get down to Lake Washington to finish setup of the party.

  There were already hundreds of people with their kids lined up at the gates, we were still hours from opening. I got a little thrill seeing how excited some of the children were. It reminded me of some of the magical times I had with my parents as a kid.

  The park we were holding it at was surrounded with a fake, sharp woode
n post barrier that resembled the village from the King Kong movie, lending a lot of ambiance to the festival. From the inside, the view of the city was blocked off on three sides, giving a real safari feel to it, leaving a low wall by the lake. The view was breathtaking. I was hoping that this would give that same magical feel I remember to these children.

  I was happy with the assortment of animals I had sourced from about five different locations. I almost giggled when I saw the camel. But the most impressive group of animals came from Cougar Mountain Zoo. And there were reindeer! I put my hand on my chest in memory of that day with Riley, feeling my heart speed up.

  I went past all the vendors. The food smelled heavenly. Mrs. Z was there with her oven. There were plenty of souvenir wagons and for the people who couldn't afford much; free gifts like animal coloring books and balloons for the children. I smiled when I saw Mike setting up in a safari guide uniform. He had a bunch of stuffed animals to juggle. He sent me a small smile and wave which I returned.

  After helping a few new people get sorted out and set up, Bevi and I made our way to the stage area. The gates had opened and people were filing in, gathering around the stage area. It was getting close to kick off time of the festival. I walked up to the extremely nervous looking blonde girl in the Cougar Mountain Zookeepers uniform who was reading from some index cards and offered her a smile. I checked the time on my phone as I approached her, fifteen minutes until opening ceremony.

  “Hi! You must be Rebecca Vance. I'm Crystal, I'm so glad you could make it on such short notice. This is my friend, Beverly.” I tilted my head and smiled, showing my genuine appreciation for her coming. She smiled nervously back and nodded at Bev. “Don't thank me until after I speak, I'm so nervous I'm going to screw this whole thing up. I hate speaking in front of people.”

  I looked up in thought then met her grey eyes. “I was at Cougar Mountain a while back, and all the zookeepers seemed to have fun discussing the animals with the children there. Do you do that?”

  She smiled in thought. “Yes, that's one of the highlights of working at the zoo.”

  I nodded back at her. “Well, that's what we are all here for today, the children. Just look at it as though you are at the zoo, talking to all these wonderful kids in a big group.”

  She tightened her neck and shot a silly grimacing smile. “Thanks, Crystal. I'll do my best. I really think it is a great thing you are doing here.”

  I smiled and nodded and was about to wish her luck when I heard a commotion behind us. I turned around to find Thomas Cabbot striding up to me with a grin on his face, flanked by a bunch of iFORk people.

  The huge 6'-3” brown haired man, who appeared to be chiseled in stone, stopped in front of me and offered his hand. “You must be Crystal James! I'm very pleased to meet you finally! Am I too late to speak?”

  I was shaking my head in shock. “No... no, not at all. I thought you were stuck in Missoula.” I glanced over at Rebecca who was breathing out a huge sigh of relief.

  He smiled. “No, the pilot you sent for me got there in time.”

  I screwed up my face in confusion and grabbed my ponytail and started fidgeting with the end. “Pilot?”

  He nodded. “Yes, she was quite lovely and professional. She really pushed that little purple plane to make it back here in time.”

  Now I was not only shocked but stunned... Riley did this? I felt my heart start beating again. I didn't care that she wouldn't speak to me just then, because at least I knew that in some way, she still cared a little. I tried to play it off. “I wasn't sure she'd get to you in time. It is wonderful that you did! Though I would like it if both you and Zookeeper Vance could each speak, I'd hate for her to get all prepared for naught. It would mean the world to the children.”

  He smiled at me then at Rebecca who was giving me a “Why would you do this to me?” look that just made me wink at her. He was charming and slightly bowed to her as he said, “I wouldn't have it any other way.”

  I shook his hand and Rebecca's hand again and told them, “Well you are on in five minutes. I'm going to go up front to watch. Thank you both for this.” Then I strode away with Bev in tow.

  Their opening presentations went amazing, Thomas was a fountain of charisma and kept the audience captivated and engaged. When Rebecca got on stage, he stood bedside her, offering moral support and urging her on with his smile. She started a little rough but as she looked around to the sea of enthralled children she loosened up and gave a brilliant speech.

  If I wasn't mistaken, Thomas and Rebecca shared a certain chemistry as they left the stage together. I smiled a little at this thought. Nothing got past Bevi either. “Looks like we should avoid the backstage area for a bit huh, Kru?” she said with an evil crooked smile on her face.

  I slapped her arm with a little smile. “You are so bad, Bev!” We shared a chuckle and looked around. The place had exploded into a bustling party atmosphere. Kids were pointing at the animals, and the petting zoo areas already had huge lines by them.

  “Looks like it's a hit, sis.” my tall redheaded friend said with pride.

  We wandered around for a couple hours, then I noticed a distinct plane with purple wingtips lazily approach and loitered over the lake for a while. I sent a thank you from my heart out toward the plane as I clasped my hands together and raised them to my lips in silent prayer. Then I texted [ thank you ] to her with a tear threatening to fall.

  “Let's go home, Bev.” I finally said with a slight smile. She nodded and we made our way through the crowd of one of the most successful iFORk parties yet.

  Chapter 10 – Tango Alpha Three Niner

  The iFORk was lauded as one of the best successes so far by the same reporters that earlier had dissed me; and it. Fickle much, you asses? The city okay-ed next years iFORk for October, it would be a Halloween and haunted house theme.

  I moped around for the next few weeks, trying to put my life back on track, but I couldn't help feeling as though I had a gaping hole in my chest. How could one person affect another so profoundly? Especially someone that you knew for such a short period of time? This is what I've read about in all those silly stories. Love and heartbreak. Why the hell would anyone want to ever fall in love if there is even a remote chance that they could wind up feeling like me? With their heart torn out and feeling like just a half of a person.

  It was an lazy Saturday around noon. I shook myself out of my funk and started working on finishing up the planning for my latest party. This upper class couple wanted a fairytale themed party for them and a 'few' friends. If you could call over a hundred movers and shakers in the Seattle metroplex a few. I knew a guy who could get a horse that looked like a unicorn with a realistic looking fake horn. That should be the last piece of the puzzle.

  I pulled out my phone and dialed, “Hey, Chris, yeah it's me, Crystal. What? Don't get too excited about a clean slate, this is a small one. So you'll still owe me. Yeah, don't sound so sad, you know there's always good money in it for you. Just need Buttercup in drag in two weeks, so dust off the horn. Yeah, cool. Thanks! I'll send you the details. Have a great day!”

  I slid my phone gently back into my pocket and took a breath, satisfied with my party plan. I made a couple grilled BLT sandwiches and wandered over to the couch with the food and some water bottles to sit next to Bevi to watch some mindless sitcom reruns. She always knows how to keep my mind off of serious topics.

  We were laughing along with a lame show as we ate when a news bulletin cut in on the broadcast and interrupted the show. Katherine Granger, a local anchor in all her fake blonde glamour, was standing outside of a small airfield that I recognized.

  [[ This is Katherine Granger with XZN bringing you a special report from VanCourt Airfield in Issaquah, Washington. We've learned that about fifteen minutes ago, the air controller here at VanCourt got a distress call from a single engine plane experiencing engine trouble deep in the mountains.

  The pilot announced she was going to try to get her two pas
sengers over the peaks to try an emergency landing on Interstate 90, but was not sure if they could get the altitude. Moments later radar and radio contact was lost, the plane is believed to have crashed in the Cascades.

  The state patrol has sent out a search and rescue helicopter to look for the wreckage and has started clearing lanes of traffic on I90 near the last know location of the plane just in case. ]]

  My blood ran cold. Her? The pilot was a woman? And that was Riley's airfield! Bev looked at me then the television and quickly pulled me into a hug as we watched. Katherine Granger put her hand to her earpiece and turned back to the camera.

  [[ The tower has just confirmed they have regained communications with the plane and are patching it through on our audio. ]] there was static and crackling sound then we heard an intermittent voice [[ “Tower this... tango alpha three niner... to maintain altitude... cannot... interstate... ]] there was hissing and crackling for a moment and my heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vise at the sound of Riley's voice. Then the signal came in much stronger [[ Trying for the airfield, the ridge is lower there. Wish us luck. ]] Then the tower kicked in. [[ Tango alpha three niner you are cleared for approach. Godspeed and pray for an updraft! ]]

  I was holding my breath and biting hard on my lip, drawing blood as the news camera swung up to the tree lined ridge above the town, zooming in, and panning from side to side along it.

  Then I could make out the straining and coughing of a sputtering engine and the camera swung to the extreme northern side of the ridge where it dipped to its lowest. Just then, a familiar plane with purple wingtips shot almost straight up over the top of the ridge. The landing gear striking the treetops as it cleared in its steep climb, the plane billowing out a trail of blue smoke behind it.