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Summer Bouquet

9x7 watercolor sketch

Once again, it’s been a while since we’ve heard from Freddie. I guess we need to "cut her a little slack". After all, she's in quite a mess!

A FREDERICA & CHLOE PICTURE BOOK MYSTERY – PART 8

A series of short-short stories featuring Frederika/Freddie & Freddie’s cat, Chloe

© Julie Gilbert Pollard

Now - about “Connie”…

I want to be supportive of my friend Wendy and NOT like Connie either. But now that I’ve met her, I kind of do. Of course, Wendy is prejudiced. “Connie” (we’re calling her that in this blog to protect her innocence - or otherwise…) as you may recall was the girlfriend of Josh (Wendy’s ex-boyfriend) before Wendy was his girlfriend, then ex-girlfriend. I suspect that Josh has a long line of ex-girlfriends who intelligently bailed out of no-doubt-toxic relationships with him.

Let’s just say that Josh has a way with women – not.

Josh also has some very disreputable – read scary - “friends”.

But back to Connie.

Wendy doesn’t want to go visit Connie, so I go by myself. I mean, she was in my house and injured there. Not something or someone I can just ignore.

I don’t know why she isn’t under police custody or maybe even police protection. She was in MY house without invitation. Just because she was knocked unconscious there doesn’t put her in the right as far as I’m concerned.

I guess the police know things I don’t. Go figure…

So, I visit her at her mom’s just down the street.

I take her a “get-well” vase of flowers and vines I’ve cut from my yard. It’s very pretty. Big of me, I know. I told you I was a good person.

Her mother answers the door, we exchange introductions and pleasantries, and Mave shows me to a seat in the extremely un-lived-in-looking living room. After a while, Connie comes in and takes a seat – as far away from me as the limited furnishings allow. Again, I introduce myself. Mave stays, probably feeling protective of her still-recovering daughter. They both look to be a bit defensive as well as embarrassed.

I have meant to be kind, reasonable, sympathetic, controlled, etc. But I’m on edge – who wouldn’t be. Everything that has gone down recently has gotten to me. Don’t forget I also received a head wound – she’s not the only victim, right?

So, I hope I can be forgiven…

When I blurt out, “what in the ‘blankety-blank’ hell were you doing in my house in the middle of the night?!”

Tears start to trickle down Connie’s cheeks and I, of course, feel like a monster. A weak monster. I have every right to inquire as to her reason for the uninvited midnight visit. I think they call it “breaking and entering”. But I’m such a wuss – and way too empathetic for my own good.

So - oh crap – I apologize.

Then Connie apologizes.

Mave is sitting beside Connie and squeezes her hand, looking protective, supportive, even while dismayed by her daughter’s illegal actions – all at the same time.

Mothers are awesome!

Mave gets us all fresh bottles of chilled water – I don’t approve of one-use plastic, by the way – and we begin a real conversation.

Connie is actually a nice person who was tricked into meeting Josh at my house. He claimed to need help and that he was currently living at that address – oh, I can’t go on. The spiel he gave her was so bizarre. It’s hard to imagine how she fell for it.

Or maybe I’m the one falling for her - possibly fictional - version?

Anyway – as she tells it - Josh was almost on his knees begging for her help, explaining to her the mess he needed her help with – when a bulky figure appeared, and she remembers nothing after that. So she says.

But why my house? Couldn’t he have met her in a park? A parked car? There are an infinite number of meeting locations other than - my house.

I’m not too far gone to realize that she just might be leading me down the garden path with a trumped-up story.

I’m torn. Because I can’t help but kind of like her. My instinct is to like her – and her mom. I mean, I’m on the verge of inviting them to tea, for heaven’s sake.

Yes, I’m a sad case – a true softie…

••••

Back at the ol’ homestead, I get Wendy to sit down for “the Connie discussion”.

“You know, you don’t have to be jealous of Connie”, I begin…

“I’m NOT jealous of that…”

“Okay, let me put it a little differently. Josh did a number on her just like he did, you, and none of what has happened is her fault, any more than it is yours.” She puts up defensive hands. “Wait, just hear me out. After all, she was with Josh before you were and YOU didn’t break THEM up – and she didn’t try to break you and him up when you and he were together. Yes, she called – but only to try to get her stuff back.”

“So, that’s what she told you, hunh?”

“Yes, that’s what she told me – and I believe her. And yes, she did let him talk her into meeting him here and you recall that she got clobbered for her efforts. Yes, she’s kind of a sucker – really, she’s more of a victim than anything. She’s kind of pitiful.” I know I’m laying it on a bit thick. Giving Wendy an opportunity to process a new version of Connie. A version that hopefully will help Wendy feel kinder towards Connie – and maybe even, truth be told - empowered?

I mean – she could use some empowerment for sure.

Wendy stomps off to her room. Her words, “you don’t know ANYTHING!” trailing off behind her.

And she’s right – I don’t know anything about anything.

Have I just lost the best friend and roommate I’ve ever had? Albeit a roommate who sounds a bit like a teenager right about now…

••••

OK – my bad. I should have just stayed out of it. Stick to my own business.

And my business is this - my book - that certainly isn't getting itself written!

Freddie Introduces You to Painting!

(Don’t worry – Freddie’s editor will surely come up with a catchier title. 😊 )

Garden Zen

11x14 watercolor

AVAILABLE

Here is the Dropbox link to the Garden Zen PDF document:

JGPollard_Watercolor_Garden Zen.pdf