The portal seemed to spin around me and then stopped and the date I was thinking of was right in front of me. The date I chose was the day of my sister’s wedding to Sam. If I wanted to I could find out Sam’s true intention or what Michael was thinking when we let the wave hit us about a dozen times or I could see what motivated Gene Handy to hate me so much. The possibilities were nearly endless but I took no rides that day. Understanding was my focus and I continued to explore within that chamber the intricate and delicate system for using the red spark portal.
Time and time again I thought of a date and then the cylinder would spin around until the date was in front of me and the list of individuals within that date became easy access for me. When I actually chose to go someplace specific there would be no confusion and no delay.
After what seemed like hours and hours my eyes opened and I called Charlie again.
“Woman, you got a problem?”
“No lover, I was just wondering if you were still monitoring me.”
“I gotcha.”
Charlie assured me.
“So how long was I out?”
“Woman, I just talked to you maybe 5 minutes ago.”
“Charlie we got some stuff to talk about when you get home. Are you coming home for lunch?”
The excitement was nearly too much for me. If I had indeed been gone only for a few minutes, there needed to be some serious thought given to the fact that I was within that cylindrical chamber for an extended amount of time but no time passed within our reality.
“Can I have you then?” Charlie had a playful tone in his voice that made me smile with expectation.
“Damn straight, we’ll have each other.” I giggled.
When Charlie got home, he found me in the kitchen finishing up the preparations for our lunch. He swept me up in his arms.
“I have another kind of hunger right now Woman’” Charlie said.
We satisfied our need for each other but we knew that to be a daily exercise that we both enjoyed and looked forward at each effort. When I heard Charlie’s tummy complain for lack of food, I took action for my man.
“Come on Lover, I made us a nice lunch and I can tell that you are ready for it.”
Taking Charlie’s hand we headed for the kitchen and the awaiting repast. Charlie grabbed my robe so that he could concentrate on his food.
While we ate our egg salad sandwiches and drank iced tea I told Charlie about the discrepancy in time and that I’d been in the red spark portal for quite some time but none of it registered within our reality.
Charlie, just like me, didn’t know what to do with that information. But I knew what to do with the knowledge I’d gained from my time inside that filing system.
“When Michael is here after the premiere we’ll make decisions about where and when and who for our red spark travel. Using the information gained today, we’ll be more specific and focused with our use of the travel.”
Charlie was more into the sandwich than the red spark information.
“Woman, good sandwich, my favorite,” he mummbled.
The next day we prepared to go to the premiere of the PBS special. Charlie was wearing a new suit that I’d just finished hemming the night before and I was wearing a new gown that I’d only finished just that very morning.
“Lordy Lover, you are so handsome and delicious looking that I’m afraid to take you out there for other women to see. Please remember that you love me, ok?”
“Ok,” Charlie said.
We were ready when our ride arrived. To my surprise and delight, I felt the fingers of the reconnect reaching out to me from the limo. Michael and Lu were inside. Glad that I had my camera because I made good use of it.
Our hook up was nearly overwhelming and made us all sigh. We were glad once again that we were together, connected, and strong. Michael and Lu showed Charlie more consideration than they had in the past. Lu told him how handsome he looked and Michael asked if the suit was comfortable. They both said that they were glad that he was along, especially as they could see how happy it made me.
Once we were settled for the ride to San Francisco Michael poured us each of glass of Champaign.
He wanted to toast the occasion.
“To best friends, to a terrific premiere, and a good time for all, cheers, thanks a lot, eh?” We all bumped glasses and gave honor to the toast by taking a hearty drink of the expensive beverage.
When the limo pulled up to the entrance of the theater, Charlie was the first out and he reached back to take my hand and assist me in the exit from the limo. Flash bulbs were going off constantly; we were both astounded that we were the ones being photographed. Charlie wrapped his arm around me protectively.
After I was out, Michael followed right on my heels and he assisted Lucy in her graceful exit from the limo. There were shouts for Michael and Lu. Charlie and I just followed the red carpet to get inside of the theatre as fast as we could. Michael and Lu, the professionals, took their time and let the cameras flash. They posed with each other and smiled and were friendly to everyone.
Once inside, we were ushered to our seats and the special began only minutes after. The four of us sat in the back of the theatre and were privy to the responses from the audience for each number. At the end of the second number I saw men and women alike dab their eyes from the emotion the song stirred in them and from the passionate delivery that Michael and I gave up for all the world to see.
In between songs we had our playful banter that brought laughter to the theatre. The two numbers that had long musical interludes allowed Michael and I to demonstrate our amazing dance skills. The dresses I’d chosen to wear for those two songs were meant to be danced in. I felt Charlie squeeze my hand to get my attention and when I looked at him, he was smiling from ear to ear and bent his head to kiss me. It felt like he was claiming me.
A couple of times during the show, Lu whispered to me that I was beautiful and sang like an angel. The audience also responded favorably with spontaneous applause on a number of occasions throughout the show. When the final number started Charlie squeezed my hand again and then smiled at me like he was proud of me. Michael and I gave that song the emotion it required and sang our hearts out. Glad that I wasn’t singing right at that point because there was a lump in my throat as big as my fist. I watched the effect the song had on our audience and was surprised to see that everyone in that theatre understood the meaning of the song and could somehow fit it into their own lives. There were more tears during that number than all the show combined but they were tears of satisfaction and joy over things turning out right. It was the perfect song to end the show.
When Michael and I took our final bows we were graced to see that audience jump to their feet and clap like there was no tomorrow. At first the audience applauded for the screen but soon we saw that people had turned to face us and were clapping for the live us. Charlie and Lu joined the rest of the audience and put their hands together in a salute to Michael and me. It was quite moving, really.
The best part for me was seeing how it all affected Charlie. His eyes were moist and filled with passion for me. I hugged him to me and he bent to kiss me right in front of the world.
At the party that followed, we ended up being part of a receiving line and got to speak to everyone who was at the premiere. My kids were there with dates and each was wearing ‘Three Women’ designs. They looked so handsome and of course, Margaret was stunningly beautiful in her gown. Denice and Sam were also a surprise to me. Sam was wearing his ‘signature suit’ that I designed for him and Denice, oh my god, Denice