by Lee Morgan
Kara interjected “You are! I know that just from the way he looks at you.”
They then smiled softly at one another.
Together they sat in silence and pondered different things. Every now and then Sarah entered her mind to see what Kara was thinking about. At one point Sarah almost lost control of the vehicle when Kara had the funniest mental pictures she has ever seen. She pictured herself being a Changer. She changed into a she-wolf and was doing a cheerleader routine in a miniskirt and palm palms. Sarah tried saying she was sorry, but instead they both started laughing hard.
An hour later they entered the city. They stopped by a fancy hotel first and put down some money for a room for one night. They rented a top floor apartment. Kara asked “Why are we staying here? It’s so expensive.” The hotel was twenty stories tall and wasn’t cheap, but they did have a breakfast buffet that Sarah knew both Kara and she would enjoy.
“Because it is our first weekend together as sisters and for once in my life I want to splurge a little.” Sarah read Kara’s mind as she said “You can splurge anytime you want with me.”
It was three in the afternoon when they hopped back in the powder blue car. The first place they went to was a clothing boutique. They tried on just about everything they had on rack and had a blast together. Nine dresses had been bought between them and several shirts and skirts also went in the bag. Most of Sarah’s dresses were black. It seems like her taste in color has changed. She likes Connor’s preference and it really works to contrast with her fair features.
When they left the store Sarah decided to treat Kara to a five star restaurant and they each ordered a large Maine lobster. This was a first for the two of them. Kara couldn’t afford such a place and Sarah never preferred such extravagant restaurants. This was a rare treat. Kara wanted to know why Sarah ate so little compared to when she was home. Sarah had to tell her it was because immortals have to assimilate and blend in with normal everyday people. And Kara snickered because she knew Sarah craved for far more.
After dinner they went to the hotel and into their rooms. It was nice, but Sarah already missed her cottage with Connor as she opened the door. The pleasant smell of nature is absent here. She shook her head out of those side thoughts and decided to have a great time with her chipper sister-in-law.
Their room had a flat screen TV that covered most of the wall. There were two queen sized beds stacked with plush pillows. Between the beds stood a nightstand that had a pamphlet for all the stations the room got. There was an outside balcony that overlooked the city and it was ok to look at, but nature is more Sarah’s home than any city. There was a pearl white door that connected them to a marble bathroom that felt much larger than Connor’s and her bedroom and sat fully stocked with bath salts and soaps.
The first thing Sarah did was take a nice long and hot bubble bath until she pruned. When Sarah put her robe on, Kara stood next in line for the bath.
When she stepped out in a golden robe with her hair wrapped in a towel, she jumped onto her bed. She bluntly asked “Are there any dirty movies we can watch?”
Sarah felt her face heat as if she remained in the bubbly hot water. Her voice sounded as appalled as her expression. “Kara we can’t… it’s just not right!” Kara turned her head to look smugly. Kara wore a crooked, teasing smile that looked exactly like Connor’s. It hurt to see that smile and not have him here with her. Sarah threw her pillow at Kara for making fun of her and that was a mistake.
It had been the one thing Kara waited for.
She dodged the pillow and threw two at the same time. Sarah swiftly leaned back and saw them slowly flying over her face. Kara yelled “Pillow fight!”
And then the battle was on!
Sarah kept her speed at around Kara’s, just to keep things fair.
An hour later they both became a little tired from the fight so they talked about girl things before finally going to sleep, avoiding taboo subjects like dying or Connor and what he’s up to.
The next morning Kara woke her by jumping up and down on Sarah’s soft bed. “It’s morning. Get up! Get up! Get up!” She leapt across the void, back to her own bed.
Sarah groaned as she sat up in the plush bed. Rubbing her eyes she asked “Did you used to wake up my mate like this?” She yawned as she stretched in the robes she went to sleep in.
Kara grinned and nodded. “I did until he shaved off one of my eyebrows while I slept the next night.” She huffed as she continued gazing at Sarah. “Just one eyebrow, only one!… Now try to go to a cheering competition that was being held that morning, looking like that.”
Knowing Kara, Sarah had to ask. “What did you do in retaliation?”
She said with a smirk “I turned the color of his hair Bright Pink!”
Sarah imagined Connor with pink hair. It wasn’t a very appealing image for him, but it started a dangerous chain reaction. Unfortunately a laugh slipped passed her lips and Kara joined in.
She said not long after “Its breakfast time… Let’s go down and see what they have to eat!”
They dressed and went downstairs to the lobby. The lobby was still slightly barren of people because of the early hour. Sarah counted ten people in the hall and it was set up to hold around two hundred guests. They had come in the off season.
Kara pulled her along to the buffet line. Kara grabbed a small plate and turned. “Sarah, do you still need to eat so little, even here?” She nodded and Kara put the small plate back and picked up the largest saucer they had. She winked, saying “I’m going to fill my plate and if I can’t finish my plate, I know someone who can do it for me.”
“Thanks Kara.” Sarah said, pushing into her mind and she smiled.
Sarah grabbed the same sized dish and followed her new girlfriend. After filling the plates with eggs, meats, some fruit, toast and a full cup of coffee, the two of them sat down at the furthest table and ate in solitude.
When Kara wasn’t even halfway through her plate she pushed it across the table. Sarah accepted the offer gratefully after she finished off her plate. As Kara continued sipping her coffee she asked “What are our plans for today?”
Sarah sat her fork down and took a drink of the warm black liquid to clear her throat. “I was thinking we could go to the spa and maybe a few other places if we have enough time.”
Her brown eyes widened with excitement as she sat her mug on the table. “Are we going to get a makeover too?”
Sarah nodded and continued. “Yes we are. My mother goes to the one around here about once a week. I’m not really into spas all that much, but it will be a nice change for once.” Sarah could see Kara’s excitement starting to bubble over. It was a funny sight to behold. After Sarah finished eating, a busboy came over and took their plates away as they stood. They left him to do his job. They walked up to the front desk and signed out.
As Kara and Sarah stepped outside they saw the sun just starting to rise from the east. They smiled at each other as they knew it was going to be a beautiful day.
They pulled into the spa just as the first of the morning customers arrived. Jillian kept giving good reviews about this place and they would give it a try to see if it is worth it. Kara and Sarah exited the car and entered the revolving door.
Together they walked up to the front desk. The young and beautiful receptionists looked up. Sarah recognized who it was instantly. Together, Kara and Sarah said “Caliegh!”
“Yes? How may I help you?” She smiled for a moment until she recognized who stood before her. Caliegh laughed as she stood up. “Kara, it is so good to see you again. I miss cheering with you on my team. College cheerleaders just don’t have your naturally exciting personality.” She looked from Kara to Sarah. “Hello Ms. Sarah. What brings you out here?”
Kara jumped in quickly. “She is now Mrs. Sarah May. She just became married.”
Caliegh sat down in disappointment for some reason. “That’s right. I heard that you’re married to Connor now.” Sarah nodded and Caliegh sig
hed. It then struck Sarah that Connor was the first man to turn her down. He was the one who got away. Instantly, Caliegh pulled herself up. She asked in a chipper voice “Do you two have an appointment?”
Kara looked at Sarah, then to her former cheer captain. “No. Why? Do we need one?”
Caliegh said evenly as she looked at Sarah “I’m afraid you do because there is a three month waiting list. I’m sorry, but those are the rules.”
I have never done this before, but I want my sister-in-law to have at least something fun from me before she tempts fate with her decision with Mark. “Hold on a moment.” She said to Caliegh. Sarah opened up her pocketbook and started rummaging through it. “Where did you run off to?” Sarah said to herself and bit her lip. “Aha!” She found it and handed the piece of plastic to Caliegh. “This should be more than sufficient for us to get the full makeover… Today!”
Caliegh’s eyes went wide as she stared at the solid black debit card. She had to have seen a card like this before to show such a reaction. She looked up at Sarah and said weakly “I’ll get right on it Mrs. May.” She quickly picked up the phone and started making herself busy. When she put the phone down she pointed, saying “Go sit over in the lobby and someone will be with you very shortly.”
Kara became quiet as they walked over to the open lobby and sat in the corner. Once settled, she tugged on Sarah’s arm several times. She leaned closer as Kara whispered in her ear. “What was that you just gave her? I haven’t ever seen her move so quickly before. Not even when a cute and single guy walked past her, shirtless. Not even when we received the division championship.”
Sarah tapped her temple and asked “May I?” Kara looked at her critically for a moment before nodding once. “Kara, the bank I use gives a special V.I.P. black debit card to a select and exclusive group of customers.”
She unnoticeably nodded. “What is so special about it? And why do you have one in the first place?”
Sarah sighed because only her family and Connor knew this truth. “You cannot mention this to anyone!” Kara nodded quickly and she looked anxious. “That card is basically a ‘Serve me now or suffer the consequences’ kind of card. If I use that card anywhere in the world, I can get anything I could ever want. To get that specific card from the bank you must have a minimum of seventy million dollars in your bank account.”
“SEVENT…” Sarah put her hand over Kara’s mouth. She reminded her they were having a mental conversation by flicking the child’s forehead gently. “Seventy Million Dollars! Sarah, just how rich are you?”
“Rich enough. Remember I am just over three hundred years old, Kara. I have accounts all over the world, if and when I need to use it.” Kara looked up slowly as she thought about this. “Put it this way. I could support twenty families for the rest of their lives just on the interest alone that I make from my many investments. I also donate to five charities that feed needy families and support research into medical advancements to find cures for humans.”
She looked at Sarah with questioning eyes. “But if you are so loaded, why do you live the way you do?”
“You should know me well enough by now to understand that I like the simple life. Especially since meeting Connor since he also shares my passion for simplicity. A complicated life isn’t my idea of happiness. The world I grew up in was like that. Keep things simple and you’ll enjoy it more.” Sarah stated and Kara leaned back in her chair, thinking about what had been said.
Minutes later Caliegh came up and guided them into the spa. They had to leave their clothes inside the individual lockers as they were given two large white towels. Before they got started Sarah told Caliegh that they didn’t need any waxing. What Sarah didn’t say was that she never needed it with being what she is, but Kara smiled as she knew why she said they didn’t need it.
The first thing they did together was enter the steamy sauna. A tub of water and a ladle sat beside hot rocks. Kara poured a ladle full of water on them to create more pore opening steam
After that they each received a Salt Glow and a facial. While Sarah lay face down on the table, getting her lower back massaged with the sea salt lemon mixture, she could hear Kara enjoying the relaxation techniques the middle aged and attractive woman gave her. Sarah had to smile knowing this was just what they both needed.
After the Salt Glow, they each had a Seaweed Body Wrap that took twenty minutes to complete. They passed the time by telling family stories and Kara’s were much more funny.
When the technicians came back in and unwrapped them, they took a shower to rinse off the mud and kelp. “This is so much fun, Sarah. Thank you so very much for doing this for me.” Kara yelled from the shower stall next to hers.
Sarah yelled back “What are you talking about? We’re not done yet!” and a stunned silence came from the next stall.
They were given new robes as they exited the shower. When Caliegh saw them exit the room, she personally led them down another spotless corridor. She opened a door saying “Through here, ladies.”
When Kara and Sarah each sat on a leather chair, six people came into the room. They split up with three working on Sarah and the same number moved in to work for her new girlfriend.
They trimmed Sarah’s long hair and brushed it smooth. The hair and makeup stylist complemented Sarah on how healthy it was and how little needed trimming. The other two people were giving her a manicure and a pedicure. When each group finished with them they spun the chairs and allowed the two women to finally see the new results.
Sarah saw Kara first and she is beautiful. She had her sandy blonde hair all slightly curled in ringlets and she looked radiant. Her smile and expression were all worth it. Her lips were shaded in a light pink lipstick and she had on just the right amount of makeup on to fit her personality, accenting her large eyes of curiosity and innocence. Kara finally turned to look upon her and froze as their eyes met and her jaw dropped slowly.
Frightened, Sarah turned to look at herself in the mirror.
Her jaw dropped too.
Sarah didn’t have any makeup on whatsoever because the stylist said it wasn’t necessary. Her face looked truly beautiful. She looked like she was glowing. Sarah checked swiftly and made sure she wasn’t using any of her power. Looking at herself now she realized that this is what Connor must always see.
After everyone complimented the two of them they walked out wearing the clothes they first put in the lockers.
Caliegh looked up from her desk and smiled.
As they walked up to her Sarah read the receptionist’s mind. “Wow I was wrong… she is gorgeous. No wonder why Connor didn’t pay me any mind…”
“Caliegh, thank you so much for letting us in today.” Sarah said nicely and on the inside she was celebrating a personal triumph because she was originally jealous of Caliegh, but now she’s the envious one.
She shook her head. “No Mrs. May, we should be the ones to thank you for your patronage.” She handed back Sarah’s V.I.P. card and she slid it back into the pocketbook. Sarah signed the bill that she laid down on the desk.
Kara chirped up as they were walking away “Sarah, how can I ever repay you for all this?”
She thought about it as they walked to my car. The spa felt like it went by too quickly, but the afternoon greeted them. When they sat down in the car Sarah turned on the air conditioning. Before she put the car in gear she turned to look at Kara directly. “If you want to make it up to me I would suggest that you don’t give up on us.” Sarah smiled softly.
It took Kara a minute to process the meaning of such words. Once she did, she smiled back. “You have my word on it.” And when either May sibling gives their word, Sarah knows that they do their absolute best to keep it.
With a full trunk they finished their trip and started home.
Arriving at her house Sarah saw her mother wearing her work clothes as she was tending to the flowers that she planted in front of her home. Pulling into the driveway she looked up and stopped in her track
s as Sarah stepped out of the car. She waived and Jillian stood up and walked over. “No way! Is that you my daughter?” Sarah nodded at the telepathic question and she started crying.
“Mother, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Jillian crossed the distance to them rapidly.
“Because you look so beautiful, Sarah. Where did you go to get this done?” Jillian wiped her hand clean of dirt before she touched her child’s face softly. Kara came into view and Jillian fussed over her as well until they told her about the spa that she always goes to. She laughed when Sarah told her about using the black card. “I had to do the exact same thing to get in there, but the child didn’t know what the card meant. I could hear her boss yelling at her from the back office. It seems like she learned her lesson quickly.”
Kara cut in. “Are all you Balancer’s rich!”
Jillian pointed at her as she looked at Sarah. “Is she serious?” She turned to look at Kara, looking giddy because she loves showing off just as much. “I have been saving my money and goods for well over seven hundred years.”
Later on, after a long lecture from Jillian and Jack’s astonished expressions when he came outside, the two of them brought all of Kara’s clothes over and Jenny fussed over their new looks even more than Sarah’s mother had. And surprise, she too cried softly at the two of them as she hugged them together.
Finally Kara helped bring Sarah’s clothes to the cottage. They had dinner together and Sarah walked her safely home before it became dark.
Early Sunday morning, before the sun arose in the sky, Mark woke Connor up quietly. Connor received about four hours of sleep after he took the first shift while everyone slept in their shelters. He climbed up the tree for a better view of the surroundings for his watch. When it came Mark’s turn they switched places. Mark took the limb while Connor took the sleeping bag by the fire.