Dear Friend by Jessica ([email protected]) Chapter 5 A smile played on Howie�s lips as he began to read the letter aloud. Kevin, Brian, Nick, and AJ gathered in a hushed group around his hotel room, anxiously awaiting the reading of Chemelyn�s letter. Since her last note had arrived, and Brian had been included in the secret, the other guys had gradually found out that Howie was becoming involved with a woman he had never met. �Dear Friend, My condolences with respect to your loss. I know what it�s like to lose someone close to you. Caroline must have been a wonderful person. The only member left of my family is Wisteria. She is orange and white all over, enjoys long naps, and her place in the sun. Occasionally, she becomes intoxicated with a certain herb. Wisteria is my cat. This said, I feel I must clarify one other point. Malone is my best friend. He has been there for me through thick and thin, but we are most definitely NOT a romantic item. Malone enjoys Barbara Streisand, romantic comedies, Bette Midler tunes, and strolls along the pier with his boyfriend, Derik. I am very much unattached-� At this news, a cheer broke out from the other four occupants of the room. Howie attempted a menacing glare, but it was won over with a grin typical of the Cheshire cat. �-Now it is my turn. Do you have a better half in your life? For some reason, relationships have never really worked out for me. Of course, I�ve never met the man of my dreams, so that may be the cause. However, I feel that I am better off remaining out of the dating game for now. Relationships have always spelled disaster for me. The only upside is being able to down a whole quart of Hagaan Daas without guilt. The last time I went through a messy breakup, Malone and Derik sat with me into the wee hours of the night, ragging on men and past relationships. Derik even went out on a midnight shopping excursion to locate another pint of Ben and Jerry�s Chocolate Swirl. How about you? Are you successful at this game people play? Your cove sounds absolutely beautiful, and I WILL take you up on your promise. Though you did not come right out and say it, I think I have you figured out. You are a businessman, involved in real estate. Am I correct? it sounds as though you travel quite a bit, and I must admit, I am envious of you! Since I was a young, I have dreamed of visiting Paris in the Fall. London in the Winter. Rome in the Spring. Someday I will, just wait and see. The other day, I loaded my camera, and went out to photograph the city once again. You�d think that after so long, I would grow tired of capturing images of the city on film, but somehow, that never happens. Black and white is my specialty; I find it brings out the detail and personality of a shot more than color. In fact, the walls of my cafe are decorated with different pieces I have done. I enjoy looking at the world through the viewfinder, rather than eyes with preconceptions. What makes you happy? What do you do to get away from it all? Please write soon. ~Chemelyn� Howie finished reading, and carefully slid the letter back inside of it�s envelope. �I�m sorry gentlemen, but after today, I believe that I will stop these readings of ours.� Howie announced amid cries of uproar. He raised his hand to halt his bandmate�s complains. �No arguments. Chemelyn is confiding in me, and I in her. It just doesn�t feel right.� AJ rose from his chair, and placed a hand on Howie�s shoulder. �As much as I hate to say it, I understand.� he said simply, then exited. The other men echoed AJ�s sentiments, then left Howie in peace to respond. ***** Four months and a plethora of letters later, Chemelyn sat on the bar stool behind the espresso maker, gazing out the window at the city street. The bricks which comprised it, were slick with rain, and people hustled about holding their umbrellas overhead. Chemelyn sighed and wished that the day would clear up. The cafe had been as busy as ever that day, a little liquid sunshine could not deter Seattlites. The lull after the lunch break crowd lengthened, finally broken by Malone charging through the door. Rain slid off of his raincoat, his hair plastered to his forehead. Chemelyn could not hold back the laughter which welled up inside of her at his resemblance to a drowned rat. �Keep yourself in check, girl, or I won�t give ya what came in the mail today.� Malone warned. Chemelyn leaped from her perch, and rushed toward him. �It came? Please, give it here!� she cried excitedly. Malone held the envelope high above his head, and gleefully watched Chemelyn jump for it. It was a sight to behold, Chemelyn�s five foot four frame trying desperately to reach what she sought. �Be nice and get me a towel, and I just might let ya have it.� he grinned. Chemelyn, realizing the fruitless nature of her actions, acquiesced and dashed into the back room for the requested towel. She returned not only with the proffered item, but with a small package. �Ok, trade me. When I went out for a minute, I picked up a piroshky for you.� she wheedled. Malone immediately handed the letter over amid Chemelyn�s giggles, and caught the bag she threw his way. Greedily, Malone unwrapped the Russian meat and cheese pastry. Chemelyn regained her seat, wasting no time opening the letter. �Dear Friend, Once again, I hope this letter finds you well. I think of you no less often now, than when we first began to correspond six months ago. You are the only one, I believe, who truly understands me. AJ gives it his best shot, but sometimes simply does not succeed. To bad I don�t believe in reincarnation, or I�d swear that we were together in a past life!-� Chemelyn smiled at Howie�s words, and settled more comfortably on her chair. �-The business is going well, my condos coming along nicely. I�d invite you down, but I would want to be there to meet you. Unfortunately, I am abroad once again. How is the cafe? Did you receive the ficus I sent you?-� Chemelyn glanced up from Howie�s letter to let her gaze rest upon the lovely plant which stood in the corner of the cafe. It�s widespread leaves just barely brushed the ceiling, the foliage unusually large and healthy. Chemelyn wondered how much Howie had paid for the beautiful plant plus shipping costs. The day it had been delivered, the cafe had been especially busy, crowded with customers, and very hectic. Chemelyn had been at her wit�s ends, but when the ficus arrived with an attached note, her tolerance had been revived. Chemelyn had read the card immediately, feeling her heart melt into a puddle. Now, as she walked down memory lane, Chemelyn laid the current letter aside, and plucked the card that had been delivered with the plant from it�s place on the front counter. She opened it, and reread it for the thousandth time. �Dearest Friend, Chemelyn, I sat on a plane this morning thinking of you, as usual. You mentioned that you longed to visit a warm climate for a respite. I thought that since I cannot exactly pluck you from your life, and deposit you in your desired haven, I would bring a little of the haven to you. Maybe you could place it in the cafe to cheer yourself and Malone up. I hope you enjoy it. ~Howie� A smile caressed Chemelyn�s lips as she replaced the card in it�s spot. Moving back to her perch on the stool, Chemelyn picked up the current letter once again, and took up where she had left off. �-Over the months, I have come to the conclusion that you are the most remarkable woman that I have ever known! I admit, Chemelyn, that you have utterly captured me in the palm of your hand! My friends find it odd that we have never met, and yet speak so intimately. When challenged, I simply reply that you could resemble the Wicked Witch of the West, and I would find you no less enchanting.-� Chemelyn sighed in contentment at his words. Howie seemed almost to good to be real at times. It was just her luck that such a perfect man would live across the country in Florida. A cool breeze swept through the cafe suddenly, but Chemelyn didn�t notice. She was much to warm inside to notice her exterior. Howie�s letters always had that effect on her. As a customer walked in, Chemelyn quickly read the last of the letter. �I must sign off for now, I have just about reached my destination. Know that you are never far from my thoughts. ~Howie� Next: Chapter 6 -FanFics -Home