Inside, in the warm kitchen, Emma threw her a towel. "Get out of those wet things. I'll get you some dry clothes."
When Nicole came in after taking care of the horses, Erica was sitting at the kitchen table hugging a steaming mug of coffee.
Emma asked, "How's the stock?"
Nicole shook her head. "The old bay is worse and Puddy's off her feed."
"Oh, shit!" Emma grabbed her sheepskin jacket and stomped out the door.
Nicole pulled out a chair and sat down. "Emma is really worried. She's afraid it's the virus that took a mare up the road at the Michaelson's place."
"Is there anything I can do?" Erica asked.
"The vet will be back this afternoon. We'll let you know."
~ Chapter 17 ~
Julie looked up as Erica came into the office. "You're just the person I wanted to see." Her eyes sparkled. "I just had a phone call from a mutual friend of ours."
Erica sat in the chair opposite Julie, in an easy slouch. "Tell me."
"Nicole Huron. She was just full of questions about you," Julie teased.
Erica raised her eyebrows. "How well do you know her?"
"Let's see," Julie mused. "Her family came from Quebec, she's..."
"Stop teasing." Erica grinned. "How well do you know her?"
"Well enough not to get too involved. But she is sexy, isn't-"
"Very," Erica agreed. "I gave her my private phone number."
Julie shook her head. "You haven't met Sally yet."
"I didn't know she was going with anyone." Erica was disappointed.
"She's not." Julie leaned back in her chair. "Sally Cousins is her ex, but they still live together. I think Sally has to approve all Nicole's liaisons." She opened a folder on her desk and studied it for a moment. "It looks like they'll be here for the Thanksgiving Potluck. Nicole is bringing caviar pie and Sally is bringing - Nicole." Julie laughed.
Erica shot her a look.
"Just kidding." Julie looked droll. "Sally is bringing a Waldorf salad."
~ Chapter 18 ~
Erica searched the faces of the crowd. Nicole and another woman were engrossed in animated conversation with Mike. Erica joined them. "Hi, Erica," Mike said. "Have you met Nicole and Sally?"
Erica put her hand on Nicole's arm. "We met, but I haven't had the pleasure." She smiled at Sally.
Sally beamed. "I've been wanting to meet you."
"I've just been talking to Nicole and Sally about San Francisco," Mike said excitedly. "They think we could start in San Francisco as a grass-roots movement."
Erica eyed the table of food. "I think I'll get something to eat before it's all gone."
"I'll join you," Nicole said.
Sally smiled approvingly.
Erica piled her paper plate high with food. "I'm a very good eater," she confided.
Nicole sought her eyes. "I'll bet you are," she said.
Erica flushed. "I called Emma's the other day to come up but she said Maudeen wasn't feeling well. I've been worried about her with the virus going around."
"She just has the sniffles, it's that time of year," she assured Erica. "Here, try some of this." She spread a cracker with a thick layer of caviar pie. "This is my specialty."
Erica bit into it and groaned, "Delicious, let's steal it. My apartment is upstairs."
Nicole chuckled. "Julie would kill me; she specifically requested I bring it, but we could take our plates upstairs."
In her apartment, Erica took their empty plates into her kitchen and came back with two liqueurs. She sat on the sofa next to Nicole.
Nicole savored the sweet liquid for a moment and then, looking into Erica's eyes questioningly, leaned toward Erica and kissed her softly.
Erica could feel her pulse increase; she said huskily, "I read somewhere if a person eats a full meal, makes love and then runs around the block it could cause a heart attack."
Nicole put down her glass and reached for Erica. "I wasn't thinking about running around the block."
* * * *
January 8, 1968
Dear Kelly,
Mike finally agreed to have Julie take over the management of Central. She's been running it for years, but now she also has the title and authority. She has a new assistant named Becky.
Mike has decided to go to San Francisco with Nicole. He says it's the only way to assure our future. They leave at the end of the month.
I don't want to go but I want to be with Nicole, and I have a few qualms about turning Mike loose in a big city. He gets stranger by the day. I think he has a messiah complex. Nicole is still living with Sally but has promised we can live together if I move to San Francisco. I'll be thirty next month. I guess it's time to settle down.
I'm worried about Maudeen. She's going to be twenty-one this year. She's had one thing after another all winter, and that virus has showed up again at the barn.
FRiEnD sounds too good to be true. The only thing that bothers me is the part about tripping out together on acid. Stay cool.
Love,
Erica
~ Chapter 19 ~
Erica unlocked the door at the Center and was surprised to see the light on. "Nicole, I didn't know you were here. She closed the door behind her. "Emma's been trying to reach you."
Nicole was holding an orange. She grinned and waved. "Hi, Erica."
Mike was sitting on the floor wearing a T-shirt and boxer shorts. "Oh, Erica." He was ecstatic. "Jewels are dripping from the chandelier."
"What the hell is going on?" Erica demanded.
Sally grinned. "They're both on a trip. I'm acting as guide."
Erica was upset. "Emma's been trying to reach Nicole. Maudeen's worse."
Sally shook her head. "They just dropped about an hour ago and won't be going anywhere for at least eight hours."
"Help!" Mike called. "Everything's turning into a mushy glob. Stop it!"
Nicole handed him her orange.
"Oh," he cried, "how beautiful! I get it."
Erica was frantic. "Can't you sober them up?"
"They're having a wonderful time," Sally assured her.
Nicole came over with an open carton of yogurt. "Have you ever seen anything so alive?" she cooed.
* * * *
Maudeen was on her side in her stall. She lifted her head when Erica came in.
Emma adjusted the vaporizer. "She turned worse about an hour ago. The vet says she doesn't have a very good chance. He gave her something to make her more comfortable."
Erica dropped to her knees and put her arms around the mare's neck. Emma's eyes were red and she looked exhausted. Erica started crying. "What can we do? I feel so helpless."
Emma choked back her tears. "Nothing we can do. Doc says if she lasts through the night it'll be a good sign."
The mare's ragged breathing tore at Erica. "You go in and get some rest," she told her friend. "If there's any change I'll call you."
Emma took off her heavy sheepskin jacket and put it over Erica's shoulders. "Keep her warm. I'll bring you a thermos of coffee."
Erica stroked Maudeen's long neck. "We've had some wonderful times together." Tears streamed down her face. "I've never known a lovelier being."
Maudeen squealed and attempted to get up.
"Shh, shh," Erica soothed, "you're a good girl."
Maudeen's ears moved as if listening to her friend.
"I would give anything to make you better," Erica whispered. "I know you're trying."
Maudeen put her head on the straw, her eyes rolled around to the side.
"Don't be afraid, girl, I'm with you." Erica sobbed.
Emma came into the stall with a thermos and poured Erica a mug of coffee. Erica sipped the hot dark liquid while Emma examined the mare. A horse in one of the other stalls whinnied softly and stamped an impatient hoof. "I don't think she's going to make it." Emma's voice was quiet.
Erica buried her head in the mare's neck. "If you want to go I won't keep you," she sobbed. "If it's too hard I won't as
k you to stay."
The old mare moved her head to push it against Erica's arm. She stiffened and relaxed. A neighborhood dog barked.
Erica looked at Emma - her eyes wide, unbelieving.
Emma wiped her eyes on her sleeve. "It's best she's gone."
Erica was suddenly aware of her loss. "I can't..."
"You come on in the house. I'll make up a bed for you."
"No." Erica shook her head. "I want to stay with her."
"I'll leave the door unlocked. You come in when you're ready," Emma said kindly.
Erica lay her head on Maudeen's neck. "I changed my mind," she whimpered, "I can't let you go."
She grasped a velvety ear. "Do you hear me? Come back, Maudeen."
Erica awakened at dawn. She gently kissed Maudeen's shoulder and got up. She got her flute out of her car.
It took about forty-five minutes to walk the trail they had taken so many times together. Erica could feel the presence of her mare.
When she reached the construction site she climbed over the fence and sat under their tree. In the quiet of that place Erica lifted her flute to her lips and filled the cool morning air with the sweet mournful sounds of "Danse de la Chevre."
Images of a young filly frolicking with a baby kid filled her mind and she felt something soft touch her face. She stopped playing and put her flute in her lap. "You're coming back to me, aren't you, Maudeen?" she said with certainty.
Erica lifted her flute to her lips again and played a simple musical meditation.
The next day Erica bought a ring to remind herself that Maudeen would be back. Inside she had it inscribed: Maudeen - left 1/15/68.
* * * *
May 11, 1968
Dear Kelly,
I finally made it to the City but I'm not sure I made the right decision. When I walked into the Center Mike was in his office on a pillow in a full lotus position.
I was going to come up last month but Julie and Becky wanted me to stay to help with the services for Dr. King. I tried to call you. I know how much you loved him. No tribute can even come close to expressing our loss.
This has really been a year. My mom called last week with some terrible news. Morgan was in a near-fatal car crash last January. She actually died on the operating table but was revived. I went cold, I don't think I have ever experienced such fear. I don't know what I would do if anything ever happened to her. I was ready to pack up and head for Paris but Mom said Morgan had gone to India.
Nicole started her Masters program but hasn't spent much time working at it. She took another acid trip with Mike before I got up here. She didn't come down from it for three days and she says she still has flashes of light.
Sally is still here. She and Mike got apartments in the same building. Why does that make me feel uneasy?
Love,
Erica
~ Chapter 20 ~
Erica stopped in King City for gas. She spotted a phone.
"L.A. Central, Merry Christmas."
"Julie, you're there." Erica was relieved. "Have you heard what happened?"
"Yes. News travels fast. Are you OK? I came here as soon as Becky called me."
"I'm OK." Erica spoke quietly. "The vans will be there Monday with the stuff from the Center and all my things. I don't know where we're going to put it all. Just have my things taken upstairs, I'll sort them out later. I'm going to the cabin to process- I don't know how long I'll be there." Erica fidgeted with Maudeen's ring. "If you need me you can call Bob or Jenny at the store. There is one other thing you could do for me."
"Anything," Julie promised.
"I haven't been able to reach Kelly. Could you go through her file and check with friends of hers, try to reach her for me? Let her know where I am?"
"I'll do what I can," Julie assured her.
"Please don't let anyone else know where I am," Erica pleaded. "I need some time. Give everyone my love and tell them I'll see them soon."
* * * *
January 18, 1969
Dear Kelly,
Thanks for your letter. I feel I have an anchor when I know where you are.
The rumors you heard were true.
Mike went up to San Francisco with Nicole and Sally to get things started for us there. By the time I got there Nicole had already (I think) decided to move in with Sally.
It was never right. Sally had no intention of letting Nicole go.
Mike started selling pre-Clicked Stones by mail order. I told him it absolutely had to stop. Then he told me he was leaving the organization and starting his own center.
That's why I closed the San Francisco Center and moved back to L.A.
I'll probably spend a couple more weeks here at the cabin before getting back to work.
Sorry you and FRiEnD broke up, but at least you'll be able to graduate.
Love,
Erica
~ Chapter 21 ~
"Oh shit. Erica!" Julie jumped up and threw her arms around Erica. "Why didn't you let us know when you were coming back?"
"I didn't know I was coming back until today." Erica hugged her. "I want to schedule a meeting with you and Becky for this afternoon."
"How about three?" Julie looked at her appointment book. "Right now she's in Mike's old office with some other women. They're converting the office and the newcomers' room into an area for childcare."
"Good idea." Erica took the ring she had been twisting around on her finger and handed it to Julie. "Do you believe in reincarnation?"
Julie took the ring. "What does this have to do with reincarnation?"
"Read the inscription," Erica directed.
"Maudeen - left January fifteenth, sixty-eight - back February third, sixty-nine. What does it mean?"
Erica explained. "When Maudeen died I had an experience she would be back. Last night I had a dream. I was at the beach and saw a young horse bobbing up and down in the water. It swam to shore, trotted up to me and dropped two Stones in my hand. One was a Utah Jasper and the other a Celestite. I'm taking it for a sign that she has found another body."
Julie handed the ring back. "I think your dream was probably just wishful thinking. You were probably feeling lonely up at the cabin."
"It could be," Erica admitted. "I stopped by Emma's place today to see if she had any new foals but they only bred one mare last spring and she didn't take. I don't have the slightest idea how one goes about finding a reincarnated horse."
"What's engraved in your other ring?" Julie pointed to Erica's left hand.
Erica looked at the ruby. "Nothing. It's a ring I was given by a friend when I was a teenager. It must be almost fourteen years ago."
"I've seen a lot of women try to get you to take that ring off. I used to wonder if that was the reason you held back when we were going together."
"I thought we had a very good relationship. I didn't realize you felt I was holding out on you." Erica was hurt.
Julie's eyes were dancing. "I'm not talking about sex, silly. I'm talking about emotionally."
"Don't even say the word sex," Erica warned. "It's been a while since I..."
Julie was looking at her. "Me too. Why don't you go upstairs. I'll have Becky cover the office if you would like to..."
"I'd like to." Erica touched Julie's face.
* * * *
"I've never had such a warm welcome." Erica held Julie tightly.
Julie tilted her head up and kissed Erica's nose. "It was wonderful making love with you again. I can't remember why we broke up."
Erica kissed the top of her head. "Well, when you left you said I was arrogant, stubborn, self-centered, and politically naive."
"Naive was putting it mildly. You just handed all your power over to Mike without even questioning what he was doing with it."
Erica yawned. "By the way, Henry sends his regards. I saw him today when I stopped at the gem store to pick up a Celestite and a Utah Jasper."
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