A Dating Story - Pt. 18

Christina strolled Parc Güell after a half-hour workout and early breakfast. It wasn’t overrun with those thirsting to take photographs over actually experiencing the magical nature of the grounds. That ilk would arrive at about the time she exited to rummage through the park’s shops for a gift to ease tensions with Sasha.

A bracelet? Some of the adornments were so intricate that Chrissy astutely surmised that Sasha would house it inside a glass casing over choosing to drape it around her wrists. It would be a prize for her eyes that she’d never risk misplacing, exposing to damage, or having it stolen from her.

An art book describing Parc Güell and its history? Bought.

Christina knew her wife. It was probably the easiest purchase she’d ever make for her. A book, any book, can draw Sasha’s focus. For hours, days, weeks; it didn’t matter. Once she got herself attached to one, it was as precious as one of the organs she was born with. Going into the world of the pages would then send her on internet searches for all the information that she could consume about the text. Its creation, the author, the themes of the tale, omissions from the published version, etc.

To pair with the illustrious 11 x 14-paged photography heavy work, Chrissy found a ceramic and silver-accented handmade ring. She added one for herself.

While still in La Salut, Chrissy found a small restaurant where she indulged in huevos cabreados before the city shut down for the afternoon. Under a shaded bench she enjoyed the upcoming hush that takes over Barcelona afternoons. Her thoughts shifted to the conversation her and Sasha gutted their way through.

There wasn’t a peace reached. It was more or less an agreement to be upfront with one another about their personal goals and how it would influence their business. Chrissy’s demand on side projects grew. Fundraising contacts from her past reengaged her. They couldn’t stop calling her.

Asking anyone for anything was in stark opposition to her core as a breathing human. Through will of being she kept herself and Jason together through foster homes until her mother got herself back on track to earn them back in the eyes of a family court judge.

However, Chrissy had a natural ability to charm the hell out of most people. It was mystifying. Dizzying if you were the target she trained on. Or…terrifying. Chrissy saw the potential of using this superpower of hers for good. To grab funding for underserved schools in neighborhoods of town that get their name changed by chic real estate boutiques once the gentrification begins. Sasha was better as the forward-face of their photography business because she had a calming aura about her.

When you’re in conversation with Chrissy, it’s clear that she’s the shark. You too might be one; smaller, but yes you too can exist in her space as a species of shark. Or, you can be the meal that shark takes for lunch. Chrissy decides your fate based on what she needs to extract from you. At that moment.

Mae’s editor hired Chrissy not only to help diagram the book tour through curated places throughout the city limits of Barcelona and an intimate gathering at Aitana’s family’s restaurant in Mallorca that was invite-only but to also nudge her towards that second book they wanted. Chrissy’s fee for that was negotiable. She was going to charge a sturdy one if she convinced her new friend to take on a second manuscript that she didn’t want to write.

Chrissy was on her feet trying to put out the fires that Mae set by disappearing. There were three conferences, ten signings, several podcast appearances, nine media interviews, four feature stories, and a book fair for junior high and high school students where Mae was the guest of honor. Everything with the exception of the book fair could be moved to a different date. Chrissy closed the new book and scoured her calendar for all the red X’s that Mae’s mysterious absence caused.

Then Aitana’s name interrupted Chrissy’s gaze at her cell.

“Chrissy, don’t worry too much,” Aitana stated over a circus of voices that came through Chrissy’s speakers. “Mae won’t miss the book fair. I know her too well. The other commitments will be like wrangling a headless bird on the farm.”

“What?” Chrissy opined. “What does that mean, Aitana?”

"OK, wait. (To her students) Why’s everyone staring? Oh...sorry I didn’t write the test date. (Scribbles on the white board) Get out now! If any of you bring back a paper that gets a C, you all get D’s,” Aitana promises.

“Ugh…that’s harsh teaching, Aitana,” a worried Chrissy responds.