Abandoned but Not Alone (3 page)

“
As long as it takes to get rid of that
uni-brow you got going on, and to do something about that stuff on top of your
head, which by the way, only you would call a hairstyle.
”

“
Whatever, you wished your hair could look
this good.
”

“
Girl please, when I want to look like a
scarecrow on a bad hair day, I
’
ll come to
you and you can show me how to get the look.
”

“
Whatever, you peel-head,
”
Aviva said looking over at her friend
’
s shorn locks.

“
What the hell is a peel-head?
”
Hope asked, baffled.
“
Is that another one of your Jamaican
sayings?
”

Laughing
Aviva got ready to educate her American friend.
“
It
’
s time for
another lesson in all things Jamaican my dear. A '
peel-head'
is someone
without hair, and that my dear friend, is the perfect description of you.
”

Aviva took
a good look at Hope who was sporting a cut so close to her head she was
practically bald.  Without a doubt, the girl could work it, but
…

Surprised
by the new haircut; Aviva had nearly walked past her when Hope had met her at
the airport; the change had been so drastic. For as long as she had known Hope
she had worn her hair cascading down her back. In-fact, the last time she had
seen her friend, her hair had been just as long as always, but she had dyed it
blonde. She hadn
’
t
understood that look, but hey, whatever floats your boat. But Hope pulled it
off, she was one of the world
’
s most
famous supermodels and could get away with most things. She was
five-feet-eleven, most of which comprised of long shapely legs, a slim body and
skin that looked as though she had been dipped in dark rich honey. She was also
one of the most beautiful women Aviva had ever seen. At thirty, Hope should by
now be considered over-the-hill for most modeling jobs, but she was still in
high demand, sought after to grace the cover of magazines and to walk the
runway of long established fashion houses around the world.

Aviva
wondered if Hope's haircut wouldn
’
t affect
the jobs she would be offered.  Asking Hope that very question on their drive
from the airport, Hope had shrugged her shoulders, saying it had been time for
a change and in her industry, wigs and hair extensions were king. Aviva
accepted her friends answer, but something didn
’
t feel right, it was just too drastic a change. After her
somewhat blas
é
response,
Hope had changed the subject, clearly denoting a subject close. Aviva
continuing to give Hope speculative looks for a few more seconds before
deciding she had better let well enough alone. Although she could tell
something was going on, nothing would be gained by pursuing the subject.

Both women
continued the drive in a companionable silence, each lost in their own
thoughts. Hope pulled into a driveway and came to a stop before what looked
like a British country manor house. Their car doors were opened by two smiling
young men dressed in white shirts and trousers. Each young man held out his
hand and assisted the women from the car. As they alighted, Hope moved around
the car to join Aviva at the foot of the stairway that led to their final
destination, the Spa. They were greeted by another smiling young man holding a
silver tray which contained two glasses of champagne bubbling effervescently.
Aviva took a glass and smiled at the waiter, who completely ignored her. His
eyes locked on Hope, mouth hanging open in stupefaction. 

Aviva had
seen it all before, rolling her eyes she used one finger of her free hand to
push his jaw up which made an audible snap as it closed. Both women looked at
each other doing their best to suppress laughter. Only just managing to hold in
their hilarity, they didn
’
t want to
be unkind even though the young man had by now turned a very interesting shade
of red. Coming to his senses he cleared his throat, preparing himself to give
his welcome spiel.

“
Ms Richards, Ms Johnson, welcome to the
Hyde
.
My name is Todd and I hope you both enjoy your stay with us today. If you would
both follow me, I will be delighted to escort you to bed
–
Bev
–
I mean Bev
–
I mean
Beverly who will assist you throughout the day.
”

Aviva didn
’
t think it was possible; Tod
’
s blush had increased, beads of sweat
peppering his brow.  The situation was so ludicrously funny there was no way
she could look at Hope, if she did, it would take only one glance for her to
break down in laughter.  So she fixed her eyes on the stairs that led to the
main building. Todd too turned towards the stairs and tripped on the first
step, by this point Aviva had to hold on to her side it was hurting so much.
The laughter had nowhere to go; it needed a release
–
badly. She didn
’
t know what
to do. She fought back the tears in her eyes but it was no good, they kept
coming.  Deciding the best course of action was to cough, Aviva, placed her
hand over her mouth and coughed hard in a very unladylike manner.

Hope who
was bent over, pretending to look for something in her purse, abruptly turned
to face Aviva who was still at the bottom of the steps, Hope a few runs above. 
They made eye contact. Hope
’
s higher
position essentially blocked Tod
’
s view of
their faces; they both opened their eyes as wide as they could and roared in
silent laughter; mouthing
“
escort you
to bed
.
”
  Hope came
back down the steps and patted Aviva on the back pretending to give her aid in
her coughing fit; giving them the vital moments needed to compose themselves
before once again facing a still perspiring Todd.

Given the
circumstances, Aviva wiped her face of amusement as best she could, informed
Hope she was fully recovered and they shouldn
’
t keep Todd waiting any further.  Under a fa
ç
ade of composure the women walked up the
stairs and into the spa.

Once
inside, Aviva stood with her eyes bugging out of her face.  The
Hyde
was
like nothing she had ever seen before at any of the many spas Hope had dragged
her to.  The interior of the
Hyde
had been designed to look like a rain
forest; there were large trees whose branches were covered in the greenest
leaves she had ever seen as they extended upwards towards the glass domed
ceiling, exposed to the beauty of a clear blue sky. She wondered for a moment
if the trees were real, and dismissed the thought immediately, she knew this
place had to cost a packet for just one visit, otherwise Hope wouldn
’
t be here.  They were real, and someone
maintained them to a very high degree so their splendor was contained within
the structure of the building.

Giant ferns
surrounded ponds, hosting majestic koi in varying shades from gold to white,
swimming gracefully through the flow of rippling water. Cascading waterfalls
gently rolled over smooth stones, resplendent in their different hues of brown,
green and white, each delicately placed so as to best complement each other. 
As the water flowed over the rocks, they sparkled, caught in the light of
discreetly placed illuminations lending itself to the authenticity of
transporting one to a place of tranquility. Drawing in a deep breath, Aviva
detected an aroma filling the air, encompassing her, the scent seemed to speak
to the senses and wrapped around her whole body. Gone was the feeling of
amusement present only moments before, replaced by a wanting to partake in what
this place had to offer. Aviva hadn
’
t realized
she had closed her eyes to better appreciate the ambiance, reopening them she
looked over at Hope, stunned.

“
Oh my God, Hope I love this place!
”

~~~~~~~~~~

“
Thanks Hope, I think that was probably
one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. I didn
’
t know places like that existed. Those
places you dragged me to before
…”
Aviva
shook her head and rolled her eyes leaving Hope with no doubt as to her
negativity.
“…
Girl, that
place was the bomb! When can we go again?
”
She asked with a cheeky smile. Hope didn
’
t comment, only laughed indulgently, glad
that her friend had enjoyed the experience.

Hope was
getting married the next day and Aviva has flown in to stand with her as her
maid of honor. She couldn
’
t think of
anyone she would rather have beside her. Over the last year or so Aviva seemed
to be involved in so many projects that made it impossible for them to
synchronize their schedules to a point where they could actually meet. However,
they made sure they stayed in contact via telephone, video calls and email. It
was through these email messages that Hope learned Aviva had started having a
great deal of success selling her songs. Hope knew Aviva had been writing music
since she was a little girl. She also knew she had had some minor success
selling some of her songs. In fact Hope and Steve had introduced her to a
friend, a well-known R & B singer who had included one of her songs on his last
album.

“
You all set for the song tonight?
”
Hope asked breaking the silence which
surrounded them as she steered the car forward.

Aviva, who
had been sitting with her eyes closed enjoying the cool breeze wafting over her
skin, maintained her repose and mumbled a relaxed,
“
yeah, I
’
m good to
go. I sent the sheet music over to the band two weeks ago. They said that was
more than enough time for them to learn the track.
”

“
So what are you gonna sing?
”

“
I
’
m not telling you, you
’
re just
going to have to wait like everyone else. It
’
s something I wrote especially for you and Steve, so even if I
told you what it was called, you still wouldn
’
t know the song.
”

“
Okay
…
well sing me some of it.
”

“
No.
”

“
Please
…”

“
No!
”

“
Girl, if you come to my party and sing
some broke down song I
’
ma have to
hurt you
–
you
understand that right?
”

“
Whatever, you know you fight like a girl
a foot smaller than your lanky ass self.
”

“
I do not, you take that back right now
Aviva Johnson.
”

“
Do I need to bring up the pillow fights
of yesteryear? Do you really want to be reminded of how I made you bawl for
your mama to save your long behind from the licking I always put on you?
”

“
Girl shut up. You know I can
’
t take any beatings to my face. My face
is my fortune. Do you think I would be where I am in my career today if I had
allowed you to mess up my face?
”

“
It was a pillow you nut case, which
teenage girl is afraid of a pillow fight?
”

“
Me!
”

“
You!
”
  They both said at the same time, grinning at each other.

Hope came
to a stop at the gates that led to the entrance of the estate at which they
were staying. She looked over at Aviva who still emitted an aura of serenity
from their visit to the spa.
“
I
’
m so glad you
’
re here sister-friend. You being here means the world to me,
”
Hope whispered looking over at Aviva
with tears in her eyes.

“
I
’
m so happy for you. I wouldn
’
t have missed your wedding for anything in the world. I love you
and I will always be here to support you no matter what.
”

Hope nodded
her head as she gave Aviva
’
s thigh a
gentle squeeze.
“
I know.
”