“Is it just me or has AJ been super weird since that girl, sorry Marit, mysteriously entered his life? Who is she anyway?” Brian asked the group. The others were still musing AJ’s sudden departure. Howie shrugged.
“Well, she’s gone, probably for good now, so you don’t really have to worry about her anymore,” he replied.
“I didn’t mean-“ Brian started, but was cut off.
“What do you mean, gone for good?” Nick asked. “What’d he do to her?”
“I don’t know the exact details, but I guess things got a little weird for her and she just up and left this morning,” he said.
“Did she say why?” Kevin asked.
“She left a note,” Howie said. “I guess it explains everything.”
“A note?” Brian exclaimed. “That’s it? I mean, couldn’t she have had the courtesy to tell him to his face?”
“You know, Brian, we don’t really know the full story,” Howie pointed out.
“Yeah, I mean, maybe they got in a big fight last night,” Nick said.
“Whatever,” Brian said, standing up. “You know, I’m going to go talk to him. I want the full story.”
“Brian,” Kevin warned. “It’s his issue, okay? Let him deal with it himself.” Brian scowled, but sat back down.
“Fine, but if he doesn’t return to normal soon, I’m going to do something.” Kevin just shook his head.
“Well, okay. Now, about this song…”
“Maybe a cover would be a good idea,” Nick said. “I mean, maybe we could do a Boys II Men song.” He stood up and walked over to the radio, turning it on and flipping through the stations.
“Or maybe a cover of something old. The Four Seasons or something,” Howie said.
“Let’s do a cover of an NKOTB song,” Brian joked. Howie laughed.
“I think Nick’s brother already did that.”
“Yeah,” Nick said, “we’d be copying. How about like the Spice Girls instead?” The other three started laughing.
“Okay, Nick, you can be Baby Spice.”
“Yeah, you’d look cute in pigtails and holding a lollypop.”
“Aw, man, could you see the faces of the audience?” Kevin chuckled.
“It almost makes me want to do it,” Brian said.
“Oh, you guys, look at the time! I have to go meet my mom,” Nick said, looking at his watch.
“Yeah, okay, how about we think about it and meet up again?” Kevin suggested. Brian and Howie nodded and stood up as Nick left the room.
“See you guys later!”
~~~
“Do you mean it?” Marit asked, unable to believe her ears. “Oh, wow, that would be so cool.” Susan nodded.
“Here’s my business card. When you get settled in a little, give me a call, and we can talk.”
“You really don’t know how much this would mean to me,” Marit said. Susan smiled.
“I think I might have an idea. I know what’s it like to crash and burn,” she said. “But it’ll get better, I guarantee.”
“Thank you so much.”
“Not a problem,” Susan responded, as the bus came to a halt. “Well, this is it. Welcome to Miami. If I might recommend, Biscayne Bay might be a good place to stay for a while. South Beach is a little crazy sometimes.”
“Thanks again, I’ll call you really soon.”
“Good. I can’t wait to hear from you.” She stood up and the two walked off the bus. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Definitely. Thanks!” Marit gathered her bags and headed out of the terminal to find a cab. She smiled to herself. Maybe things were looking up.
It was several days later that she finally able to give Susan a call. She crossed her fingers as the phone rang, hoping the offer would still stand.
“SCS Consulting, this is Susan speaking.”
“Susan? Hi, um, it’s Marit, from the bus…” she trailed off, unsure of what else to say.
“Oh, Marit! I was wondering when you’d call. Are you all settled in?”
“Well, I’m at a hotel for right now, but actually, I found an apartment that looks like it might work perfectly.”
“Wonderful! Where’s it at? I can get you a little more information on it.”
“It’s in Biscayne Bay, Esquire Gardens. It’s a little studio, but it’s really cute and the complex itself is really nice.”
“Well, that’s good, I’ll have someone look into it. I wouldn’t want you to end up with something less than perfect.”
“Thank you, Susan, it’s really nice of you,” Marit spoke softly, her eyes brimming with tears.
“Aw, sweetie, don’t cry. It’s the least I can do.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just, well, the good things in my life have a way of getting messed up.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s okay. I think I’m getting things under control now.”
“That’s good. So are you free today? I’d love for you to come visit the office. We could talk about your qualifications.”
“That would be great. I’m not busy so I can come whenever.”
“Well, how about right now? I’m on Ocean Drive in South Beach, two blocks down from the Leslie. 1544, 9th floor.”
“Okay, I’ll leave in a few minutes. See you soon!”
AJ walked into the little bookstore, smiling slightly as he watched the young children running around.
“Okay, kids, story time!” a voice called out. He turned the corner to see a young woman seated in a chair, holding a book. The children squealed, and ran to seat themselves in front of her.
“What do you want to hear today?” she asked. The kids called out several suggestions.
“Little Red Riding Hood!”
“Cinderella!”
“The Lion King!”
“Pokemon!” AJ smiled at that last one. The young woman laughed.
“Okay, how about we read my favorite story? I promise you’ll love it.”
“Okay!”
“All right, this is a story my mom used to read me when I was really little. It’s called ‘The Nightingale,’” she said. “I want you to pay close attention, because there’s a little lesson to be learned.” AJ listened, enraptured as she told the story of the Emperor of China and how his life, and soul, was saved by the beauty of the nightingale’s song. He was so into her story telling that when she finished, he suddenly realized that he had stood in the same place the whole time she had been reading. The children had sat patiently throughout, and applauded politely when she had finished, then run off to their earlier amusements. AJ looked up to see the young woman looking at him quizzically. She stood up and walked over to him.
“I know who you are,” she said. “But I wouldn’t have expected to see you in a children’s bookstore.”
“I loved your story,” he said. “I suppose it’s easy to forget that the most beautiful things in life are the most simple.” She shrugged.
“Well, we lead such hectic lives, it’s to be expected. It must be especially hard in your profession. The simple beautiful things in life must be so hard to find… peace, serenity, love…”
“Yeah, it’s tough, and once you find it, it’s so hard to let go, you know?” She nodded.
“Yeah, I can understand that. Oh, my name is Eva, by the way.”
“I know.” She raised an eyebrow.
“Isn’t that my line? Or should I be concerned?”
“Actually, I came here to find you. There’s this mutual friend of
ours…”
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