It Begins

The rural  Connecticut RV park is about an hour train ride from NYC, nestled in a mountain range, rolling mountains filled with various tree species. Maples and Pine are the only ones Scarlett recognizes. The maples are beginning to turn reddish-orange. The early October air, is cool crisp, refreshing. A warm amber glow bestows upon Scarlett, tinting her hair, and adding a glimmer to her marbled blue-green eyes. She basks in the warm amber setting sun, which peaks just above the mountains whilst being cooled by the New England Autumn air.  A smile spreads upon her fair skinned face. Autumn is my favorite season, it's the best time of year. Plus there will be so much to do in New York City.

    Scarlett sends Oliver a text, "Hey Oliver, I have arrived In Connecticut and  will have some time next week or weekend to spend with you."

He responds with, "Howdy lovely lady, I will make arrangements to visit NYC Friday thru Sunday. We can get coffee Friday morning how does that sound?"

Scarlett replies, "Sounds great, I look forward to seeing you again. Talk to you later Handsome."

Scarlett sitting on her brown leather couch glances around her RV and  flips her hair. No task to perform. No busy agenda. The world has come to a stand still and deafening silence fills her pink hinted ears. A sorrow surfaces in her chest, as if being alone no longer fits.  She brings out a pastel pink notepad to write her thoughts. A companion, with a wagging tail, small enough to ride the train. Perhaps a mini schnauzer. I can get him a little plaid vest to wear when it gets cold. Maybe even boots for the snow.

Scarlett looks through ads on her silver phone covered with a pink phone case, then writes on the blue lined paper, grooming? Will he require grooming?

Her phone chimes, she looks at it. Oliver replies with, "Talk to you soon Gorgeous!"

A few days later

  Scarlett cruises down a winding road, curving left and right, then takes a right down a long dirt road, she stops her blue super duty truck and rechecks the address, comparing with her GPS. Then she turns left down a paved road with numerous colonial style homes whose yards meet closely together. She stops at a grey stone and light blue vinyl sided house. Scarlett carefully lifts her feet up each white wooden step, her tall brown leather boots lightly press, and a creak is heard. Her boots quietly thud with each step on the front porch towards the white door. She pushes the doorbell, and hears the chime echo inside. The door opens, a short brown haired woman with green eyes, peaks her head out.  "Hi, are you Scarlett?"

"Yes, ma'am I am, You must be Mary." Her voice spills her Texas Twang.

The woman smiles, "Great, yes. I'll be right back. I'm going to bring him out to you." Mary closes the door behind her. A few moments pass before the door opens again.

Mary, is holding a grey haired dog, with soft coffee brown eyes, which look Scarlett over, assessing her head to toe. Gauging her personality, sensing her energy. He wags his tail. She brings him into her arms. He sniffs her, licks her cheek and wags his grey tail.

Minutes later Scarlett is back in her roaring truck, cruising down the winding curving road framed by tall pine trees. She looks at her new friend in the front seat. A grey mini schnauzer. "I will name you Scotty. And we will go to the store so I can buy you a blue plaid vest and a green plaid vest. What do you think of that Scotty?" Scotty raises his eyebrows, and tilts his head as if trying to understand what Scarlett just said.

  When Scarlett returns home she posts on her social media with a picture of him.  He is two years old, neutered, house trained and has great manners. The family was moving and could no longer keep him. He takes to his new name quickly, and is very sweet. I think he really likes me.  A flow of followers begin responding to the post. Some chime in with “keep him active or he will be disruptive!”  Scarlett recalls her research of dog temperaments and reassures herself  he will be a good fit. She replies to the post with, "he is two and well trained. He loves me already!"

Scarlett sends a message to Oliver, "do you like dogs?" 

Oliver responds a few minutes later with, "Howdy, Scarlett,  actually I love animals. I eventually want a farm. Why do you ask?"

Scarlett responds with, " I want a farm too. That's great. I decided to get a dog that I can take on the train. This is Scotty."  Scarlett sends a picture of Scotty, then one of her and Scotty together. The picture featuring Scarlett and Scotty together, includes a vibrant fall foliage backdrop, red and orange leaved maple trees, and a white vertical fence. Scarlett cradles Scotty in her arms, whilst sporting a cozy purple sweater, blue jeans, with tall brown boots. Her reddish-brown curls rest tightly below her shoulders.

Oliver responds with, "Aww he's adorable and you look great. Is he coming to coffee on Friday? How is the weather over there, it's nice and cool isn't it?"

Scarlett messages," Oh, thank you. He might join us for coffee. The weather is refreshing compared to Texas. Thank you for asking. "

Oliver sends Scarlett a picture of himself, from the night they met. The blue suit with cowboy hat and boots.  Scarlett responds with" I like your look darlin, it suits you and me. "

   Oliver responds with, " ok gorgeous, keep me in mind until I see you in a few days.” 

   Scarlett replies, " ok hun, have a good night. "

   Scarlett messages her friends," Hey ya'll, I met a good looking fella a few weeks ago in Denver. He's from Texas and likes to travel. He's an architect and is coming to visit this weekend.  Here's a pic of him."

   Scarlett has an abundance of acquaintances and a few close long-term friends since childhood. Lacey she met in kindergarten, Alexis and Lily both in third grade, and Iris in sixth grade, then Gabriel she met in college who is her best gay guy friend.  While they have had their ups and downs throughout life they still remain close.

Lily responds with " oh he is handsome, what part is he from?"

Lacey says, "oh how neat good for you!"

Alexis chimes in with, "yes, he is a looker, so he must really be into you to go all the way to NYC to visit! Awesome, good for you!"

Iris says, “good for you hun, you deserve a good man who can travel with you."

Gabriel says, "So he is not gay? Does he have a gay brother or cousin?"

Scarlett responds, "Lily, he is from the outskirts of SA, over there in Bandera. "

Lily replies," oh you like going over there, ok I hope it works out darlin."

Scarlett replies, "Gabriel I will ask him if he has any gay relatives, lol just for you love!

Scarlett replies to Alexis, Iris, and Lacey, " Thanks y'all, I appreciate the support! I'm going to hit the hay, it's been a long day. When can y'all come for a visit, next weekend we can hit the dancehalls and go to the country bars and what not!

Gabriel says, “I’m in, let's rent a suite at the plaza, and bar hop, what do y'all think?”

Lacey says," Ill talk it over with the hubby."

Lily says," I would love too but the kids have games and dance."

Alexis says, "I’m in, yes I agree with the plaza suite."

Iris says, " I have work, maybe another weekend dear!"

Lacey says," The hubby is fine with a weekend away, he will stay with the kids. Yes, plaza suite, how many ways are we splitting that four? Ok I can do that. I'm going to schedule my flight for next Friday evening. This is going to be awesome!!!"

Alexis says, "I made my flight reservation for Friday evening as well, Lacey do you want to car pool to the airport or share a ride? Gabriel are you making the plaza reservation? I can send you my part from the cash app."

" Iris and Lily  left the group conversation"

 Gabriel says, "ok I have booked a weekend two room suite for the weekend and my flight for next weekend. Ok Alexis, send to my cash app that is fine, $1200 per person. Ladies we will have a blast."

Lacey chimes in, "Gabriel I will send my part to your cash app as well. I'm going to call it a night. I'll check back in a few days. "

Scarlett says, " Gabriel great idea, I'll send my part through messenger, this is going to be so much fun!!!! I'll talk to y'all soon. "

"Night! " Says Gabriel.

"Goodnight y'all," says Alexis

Lacey says, "Goodnight everyone!"

With the group message over Scarlett has so much to look forward to a new man, a northeastern adventure and time with old friends.  This new adventure begins.