Jaimee was barely clinging to life. In her mind, she and Shiloh were walking together in a beautiful field. Shiloh was running ahead on heathy legs and running back, showing off, and Jaimee was laughing at him. “You certainly are happy, Shiloh! What’s the occasion?" But somehow, Jaimee knew it was bittersweet. Shiloh came back this time and knocked Jaimee flat on her back, licking her face. Jaimee laughed and cried at the same time, “Shiloh!” She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on for dear life. "I don’t want you to leave me." He licked tears from her cheek and howled a piercing cry to his ancestors. He would be joining them soon. For the first time in a long time, Jaimee felt no pain. She looked at her right hand and it was whole again. Tears of joy started streaming down her face. She knew if she followed Shiloh into the orchard grove there would be no returning to her home or family on earth. Still, the harmony she felt was unparalleled. She was holding the fur on Shiloh
The tube in Jaimee’s chest had been removed. Though she was still getting better and had to be in the hospital a couple more weeks, she was able to communicate at peak performance. Sean was not used to her talking so much. He was a little glad when Bruce finally showed up at the hospital. Bruce, her assistant from work, had been anxiously awaiting his chance to see his friend, but she had been having one traumatic event after another. This was the first time they had laid eyes on one another since Baddie’s Burgers opening day and he truly missed his boss.“Girlfriend!” Jaimee and Bruce said to one another when their eyes met. That was their inside joke with each other since day one. Bruce was a tank and had known he was gay from 7-years-old.The day Jaimee met Bruce he was sitting in the park crying. The big lug was bawling like a baby and had two roses in his massive hand. Jaimee almost walked by, but something told her to stop and ask him if he was okay, if he needed any help.He lo
Jaimee quickly hit the snooze button on the blaring alarm clock. Dread filled her heart, realizing she had to be ready for the HUGE promotional for work today. Although she didn’t work at Baddie’s Burger’s, she did work with the advertising firm who was trying to get their new campaign off and running. The only thing that kept her nerves from being a total wreck, was the fact that after today, she was going on an EPIC vacation. Heading to Nepal to climb Mount Everest would be the adventure of a lifetime! Many would not believe the adventures she had been on from looking at her. Though she had lost over 100 pounds from her highest weight, she was still overweight and didn't look like the adventurous type. Still, the obstacles she had overcome in her life made her want to explore the world and find new things to do. She would not let anything stop her! She'd had plenty of excitement. Work, eat, sleep, repeat was mundane enough. Life simply wasn’t worth living without new and unimaginab
Winding the Velar down her driveway, she saw Sean’s Tahoe already sitting in its usual spot. Seeing this brought her peace. Sean made her comfortable in a way no man ever had. Though in the beginning, before they were both sober, things were a bit rocky. It took him going to jail for a final time and then both seeing the bigger picture for sobriety to prevail. It's a miracle for two people to get clean together, but they had surpassed their goals and made themselves a fantastic family. As she pulled up beside his vehicle, she looked at their home together. She loved their two-story log cabin with the tin roof and stone chimney. Sean was waiting for her on the swing that centered the wraparound porch. As she walked up the steps, the moonlight was shining on his glistening, muscled chest and arms. He was so sexy, but what drew her attention, what always drew her attention, was his alluring smile. All she wanted after the long day she had, was him to hold her and say how proud he was of
Waking up refreshed and rejuvenated the next morning, with no alarm clock, was amazing. Jaimee’s body felt better than it had in months. She reached over to cuddle with Sean but he wasn’t in bed. No clothes on, she found her robe laying on the foot of the bed, wrapped it around and tied it at the waist. Walking downstairs she saw him sitting on the couch, looking through her photo albums. The books were old and ragged, but they still held fond memories. Memories of a time before drugs had ravaged her mind and body and stolen her soul. When she was still youthful and vibrant. Before relationships had been damaged beyond repair. Some days it was too much for her to remember, but today felt appropriate somehow and she was glad Sean felt at ease to look at her things without asking. After all, he knew ever little detail about her: the good, the bad and the ugly. He still loved her for who she was. Sometimes she wished they shared the same interests. He was a neat freak and she was sloppy
“Let’s take the back way so I can spend a little more time with you.” Sean said as he whipped the car down the side road. It wasn't a question. He was direct and to the point. Jaimee liked when he took command. “Oh sappy and sentimental Sean. I like it.” She teased. “You’re going to be gone two whole months, that deserves a little sentiment, don’t you think?” Sean’s eyes looked distant. She could tell he was upset that she was going to be gone so long, but he was trying to hide it from her. She had known him long enough to realize he didn't like to put on a face for anyone. Always the optimistic. She loved that about him more than anything. She remembered when they were still on drugs and he was living in his car, even during the dead of winter, he never complained about anything. His spirit was always fighting to see the best of every situation and, for the first time, she understood how his constant optimism would be great on her journeys. She wished he were going too. “I love ta
The plane ride had two stops and lasted a little over two days, giving Jaimee lots of time to think: sit, eat, sleep and think. Remembering her old relationships she realized the other two men she had been with had never been loving or attentive. They had never shown interest in anything about her really. She was so scared to be alone sometimes she settled for things that belittled her. Once, her children’s father (before they had children), Gerard, asked her to get a hotel room for the night and since she was working and he was not, she got a room at Honey in the Rock Motel. They walked into the room and he started kissing her and fondling her breasts, then said, “I need a beer. Could I use your card to get a beer and grab your keys? I’ll be straight back. Take a shower, take your clothes off and get under the covers. I’ll be right back to make this a night you’ll remember.” “Okay,” she said, handed him her debit card and car keys and stepped toward the bathroom. “Get me an orange
After calling home to let them know she had made it, Jaimee slept for three days. She was so tired, in fact, she barely noticed her hostel or other surroundings on the way there. The trip had been absolutely exhausting. She had seen beautiful clouds through the plane window and the mountains of Nepal reminded her of a much grander scheme of her own home of the hills of West Virginia. Her body was finally rested and she was ready to explore. She gathered her backpack and went out into the lovely country of Nepal. The street vendors were plentiful and she loved the vast array of goods she was able to find. From fruits and vegetables, to beautifully woven tapestries. The vivid colors on the streets struck her fancy and she found herself visiting every stall. The people were friendly and most of them spoke English. To her surprise, the people of Nepal learned English in school and had been for the last 50 years.First she had to grab some food. She tried some Dal Bhat Tarkari (rice lentils