Free The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos

cringed at the realization that I had let
thoughts of Nicholas seep from under the wall I put up. Worse yet,
the memories that flashed through my mind were so real I could
almost smell his earthy scent.
    “Oh, yeah, she should do that,” I said,
trying to sound perfectly normal as I stuffed the feelings back
down.
    I had to face it. Our relationship was over,
plain and simple though it never really begun and I had no need to
reminisce any longer. Maybe another guy would help me as well.
    I re-centered myself and remembered back to
when Sam and I found this place. It was shortly after Sam got her
car. Ever since, I dreamt of exploring the beach below, but the
sheer cliff edge made it impossible to traverse, even with a
working ankle. I never saw a living soul down there, ever.
    So, I imaged I was a bird, swooping and
flying in the wind. With wings I could get to the beach no problem.
I envied their easy life as I watched them soar, wishing I could be
one for just one day, only worrying about where to find my next
meal.
    Suddenly, our stomachs started to make
horrible music together.
    “Was that you or me?” I asked.
    “Me, but I think I heard yours too,” she said
with a giggle. “You still want pizza?”
    I nodded.
    “Good. Me too.”
    I knew we needed to eat soon, because if we
didn’t, Sam would turn into the Incredible Hulk and that wouldn’t
be a pretty sight.
    The parking lot at Pleasure was full, but we
luckily snagged an empty spot right in front. I hobbled to the
patio and found us a table at once and Sam headed for the
doors.
    “Wait –” I said, as I turned and shoved a $20
into her hand. “— my treat.”
    She tilted her head and gave me the mom look.
    “Take it, or I’ll make a scene,” I
whispered.
    She opened her mouth as if to say something
but my insistent glare stopped her. She knew I would do it too and
I felt her resolve waiver.
    “Okay; you win. Greek?” she asked.
    “You know it,” I said with a smug smile.
    I tried to wait patiently as Sam disappeared
to order, perusing the movies again, reading each preview making
sure I’d made a good choice.
    When I couldn’t wait another second, Sam
magically appeared and plopped the hugest piece of pizza on the
planet in front of me. The smell alone launched me into the
stratosphere.
    “This is heaven,” I said with a mouthful.
    Sam just nodded.
    We felt no shame as we stuffed our faces in
silence.
    “I hope this movie is good,” I said while I
sucked on my soda, patting my full tummy.
    “It sounds funny.”
    That was the whole idea. I needed an hour or
so where I could escape and experience synonymous joy from the
other movie goers around me.
    The Point was right down the street from the
pizza place and we parked with Sam’s windshield positioned at the
horizon. It would be our personal IMAX Theater when the sunset fire
show began.
    “This is so ro-tic,” Sam said with a surly
grin.
    “Ro-tic?”
    “Yup, romantic without the man.”
    I chuckled and faked a smile as Nicholas came
to mind.
    Argh.
    Frustrated with myself, I pushed his face
away again and tried to find a distraction. The glassy surf was
peppered with surfers and I zoned out staring at one of them
getting ready to catch an incoming wave. I cheered in my head as he
paddled and popped up, riding it in gracefully. He made it look
effortless.
    The sun started to touch the horizon behind
him and instantly turned everything a vibrant orange. The waves
danced and reflected the fiery hues creating a warm glow across the
water. And slowly the sun fell behind the low lying clouds and
golden purplish rays of light pierced like knives into the sky. We
both watched in silence, the light getting dimmer and dimmer until
in one tiny flash, everything turned to dusk. The beauty was
breathtaking and sharing it with Sam’s awe and wonder made it even
better.
    “Wow,” I said, feeling like I should break
out in applause.
    “Pretty amazing.”
    “No wonder the real estate around here is