Let’s Go Anywhere!

Story Written by Christine Wichman c. February 16, 2020

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Calico aka Cali

Calico Matthews knew she never wanted a plan, she preferred to follow her heart wherever it led and in all of her thirty years it never failed her until now. The daughter of folk musicians, Lila and Tim Matthews and the granddaughter of cosmetic mogul, Helena Rushe. Calico lived a free spirited, well funded life. She had a successful boho blog and an organic farm upstate New York. She travelled on whims and fancy. Her life motto and Instagram byline was “Let’s Go Anywhere!”

She had over a million followers on social media envying her adventures across the planet and back. So how could it be that a successful path once followed could suddenly lead to unfamiliar territory?

Well it all started with a cow and a Farmer named Ted. Yes, I said Farmer Ted. So hold on to your hats for this crazy modern day fairytale I am about to spin…

Calico dwelled between two primary residences, a gentrified Soho loft where she hosted pseudo intellectual parties and a beautiful upstate New York flower farm. Her organic blooms and plants were utilized for a holistic cosmetic line she sold on Etsy and at the local Farmer’s Market. The line was called “My Secret Garden.” It was very popular with teenage witches and mommy bloggers.

This Saturday was no different than any other, Cali woke up early, brewed her chai tea with a hint of wild honey, poured it into a large thermos, then packed her wares in a basket and got on her bike to ride down the hill to meet her best friend Sage at the market. Sage was selling her vegan pot pies and homemade bread in a beautifully decorated rustic stand. On the way in Cali passed a young cowboy that was having trouble coaxing a young calf into his cattle trailer.

Cali assumed the Cowboy purchased the calf at auction in the adjacent warehouse and was about to haul him off to uncertain doom. It broke her heart as she looked on, fearing the worst for the little calf.

“He’s so cute! I don’t know how anyone can still eat meat. It just kills me!” Cali couldn’t believe she just spewed her thoughts out loud. She was a devout vegan, but never preached to others about their own choices. However seeing the beautiful creature and it being her time of the month the emotions were too much for her.

“What do I have to do to save that little baby from wherever you are taking him?” she blurted. Her words fell on deaf ears as the Cowboy glared at her and continued to push the calf up the metal ramp.

“I mean it, how much for the calf? I want to buy him!”

“Seriously?” the cowboy laughed, “and what are you going to do with him once I turn him over to you?”

Cali hesitated, “take him home.”

“On your bike?” he smiled.

“Well, I’ll find a way. I just can’t let you do what you Cattle guys do to the poor thing.”

“How do you know I’m a cattle guy?” the cowboy pushed his hat up a little to look her in the eye.

“Well, you did just purchase him at auction didn’t you?”

“I did,” he agreed.

“Well as far as I know only the cattle ranchers buy male cows, and you don’t look like a dairy farmer to me.”

“What if I was a Farmer?”

“Are you a Farmer?”

“I am. I’m a third generation dairy farmer, and I grew up on my Grandfather’s farm a few miles up the road.”

“That’s weird, the only working dairy farm up here is McCane’s and I’m pretty sure Dan McCane is a thirty year old gay man who is selling soft cheeses a few stalls away from here.”

The cowboy laughed again, “Well, I didn’t think I was gonna have to share my credentials and lineage so early this morning and to a stranger no less.”

The cowboy pulled the calf by his harness and walked closer to Cali, who was still straddling her bicycle and scowling. He held out his hand to shake hers, and announced, “My name is Theodore Drake, my friends call me Farmer Ted or Drake, I prefer Drake. My Grandpa Earl Drake died six years ago and left me his dairy farm. I was away at school in California, UC Davis have you heard of it? I was studying Animal Biology. I’m now finishing up med school to become a practicing Veterinarian. My plan is to turn my family farm into an Animal Sanctuary. Bob here is the first member of my new “Farmily” and my intentions for him are to live a very long happy life.”

Bob seemed to perk up on cue and pulled loose from Drake’s grip, bounding toward the ramp and leading himself into the trailer.

“Wow,” Cali was impressed, “that is amazing, and so great and wonderful! And oh my God, look how happy Bob is now!” she giggled, “I think we both had the wrong idea.”

“Guess you did,” smiled Drake, “Now it’s your turn, just who the hell are you Judgey McJudgster?”

Cali laughed, climbed off her bike and put down the kick stand. Holding out her hand she announced, “My name is Calico Matthews, you can call me Cali. I own the organic Flower Farm up the hill and I operate a Holistic healing line of tinctures, essential oils, balms and serums called…

“My Secret Garden,” Drake filled in.

“You’ve heard of me?” Cali was flattered.

“Well I was at the market last week and I saw your booth. Looked interesting so I did some asking around and a girl named Sage told me all about your Farm.”

“Oh Sage!” suddenly Cali remembered Sage was waiting for her tea, “shoot I’m late, I have to meet her and I still need to set up my booth.”

“Well, it was great meeting you Cali. I should be gettin’ Bob home to his new digs.”

“Yeah, nice to meet you Drake, don’t be a stranger, I’d love to see Bob again once he’s settled in, of course.”

Drake laughed, “Sounds like a deal,” he then tipped his cowboy hat and set off for his truck, while Cali pushed her bike toward the market. Both Cali and Drake glanced back at each other at the exact same time, adding more awkwardness to the moment.

Farmer Ted aka Drake (represented by the actor Dacre Montgomery)

“Took you long enough,” Sage was not happy with Cali’s delay in bringing the tea, “My Vertigo is back. I might need you to man my stall this morning. Do you mind?”

Sage was all set up with her Vegan pot pies and bread, but left just enough space and some empty wooden shelves for Cali’s wares. “You can set up here and leave your spot free this week.”

“Sure no problem,” Cali felt for Sage, she knew that when she was sick like this she could be down for a few days, “Are you okay to drive back to the Farm?” Sage had a tiny house built on Cali’s property a few years back. Cali loved the company and relied on Sage as her primary house sitter whenever she was away. The girls met in middle school while painting protest signs to oppose the war in Afghanistan and maintained a sisterly relationship ever since.

“It’s so close, I’ll be fine. Thanks Cali, I owe you,” Sage grabbed the thermos of tea and poured a good amount into a paper cup, “I’m hoping this will help.”

“Here take the whole thermos, I can grab a coffee from Bill’s stand.”

“Oh man, you are a lifesaver!”
“Please, I can’t even count how many times you have saved my ass,” Cali laughed.

“That is true,” Sage concurred, grabbing her back pack and putting the thermos inside. “What took you so long this morning anyway? I thought you were right behind me when I pulled out of the driveway.”

“I was, but then I stopped to talk to some guy who was rescuing a cow, it’s kind of a long story so I can tell you later back at the house.”

“Ooh girl, sounds like he is the perfect boy!”

Cali got a dreamy look on her face, “Yeah, he kind of is.”

“Listen, Mac said he would store my shelving until next week, and I know you are on your bike, so whatever pies don’t sell just give them to the vendors ok?”

“Sounds good. Don’t worry about anything just go rest. I’ll peek in on you later.”

Sage got up to go and smiled back at her friend, “I blame the whole damn Mercury Retrograde, it get’s me every time.”

Sage in her tiny kitchen, in her tiny house

************

Cali rode her bike the long way home, taking a little diversion past the old Dairy farm she suspected might belong to the Drake family. Almost immediately she saw a familiar truck coming up the dirt driveway toward the main road. Panicked she swerved her bike straight into a ditch. The fall was deep enough to toss her off the bike and spill the remains of the day from both her front and back basket.

“Oh crap,” she muttered, ducking as low as she could hoping Drake did not see her, or God forbid witness her embarrassing fall.

Slowly the truck passed, the dark tinted windows did not allow her to see just who was driving, or where they were looking. As the truck cleared Cali let out a huge sigh of relief, and began to pick up the items from the dirt.

She glanced up to notice the truck was turning around and heading back, “Oh holy hell,” she started to gather her things faster as if she could make a quick escape.

Alas, the truck rolled right up to her, with the passenger window down, Drake called out from the Driver seat, “I thought that was you, are you okay?”

“I’m good. Thanks,” Cali was beyond humiliated.

Drake shut off the engine, hopped out and came around to assist Cali, first he grabbed her bike and pulled it back onto the road. Then he began to pick up some loose tincture bottles, “Seriously are you okay? This is quite a drop.”

“I’m fine, really,” Cali lied as she suddenly looked down to see her knee bleeding through her fashionably ripped jeans.

“You look a little banged up to me.”

Drake opened the passenger door to his truck and grabbed a first aid kit from the glove box. Then he took Cali’s hand and pulled her up out of the ditch, swiftly lifting her onto the seat of his truck, “We better get you fixed.”

Cali allowed Drake to very gingerly clean up her cut and place a large bandaid on her knee, “You know your cheek is bleeding too?”

“It is?” Cali put her fingertip to her cheek and looked at the blood, “I didn’t even feel that.”

“You might be in a little bit of shock,” Drake noted.

More like dread, Cali thought to herself, “Hmm maybe,” she nodded.

Drake applied antiseptic to her cheek and said, “I guess we can let that wound breathe, I think it’s just a scratch.”

Cali smiled, “Ouch, now it hurts.”

“Listen, let me give you a ride back to your place, I was headed in to town to get some more supplies for Bob anyway and I don’t think you should ride with your knee all torn up.”

Cali could not argue, her knee was really beginning to sting, especially when she bent it.

“Sure, that sounds good. Thank you.” Cali swallowed her pride and decided to just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Drake lifted her bike into the bed of his truck and handed her one of the baskets full of her things. It was only a fifteen minute drive to Cali’s Flower Farm, and in those fifteen minutes Cali was very relieved he never asked her why she was cruising by his place to begin with. They only talked about Bob the Cow and how she did at the Market that day. Before they could get past the small talk, Cali had to say, “That’s me, up on the left. You can turn in between the white mailbox and the red flower cart.”

Entering Cali’s Flower Farm

“Honor system on the cart, nice touch.” Drake approved, “We had one of those in front of our place when I was a kid, only it was for eggs and hand painted cartons my Grandma use to make. Sometimes I’d add my crystals and fool’s gold that I dug up by our creek to see if I had any takers.”

“Sounds adorable,” Cali smiled, “I bet you miss your Grandparents, does it feel strange living out there all by yourself?”

“Yeah, it’s weird. I only moved back a month ago, so I’m keeping busy fixing the place up, but the memories keep flooding back. Do you get lonely up here?”

“Well besides Sage, I have books. Cats. Life is good.”

Drake pulled up to Cali’s white farmhouse and turned off the engine. “T.S. Eliot huh?”

Cali was impressed he picked up on the quote, “He may have said it, but it’s my life.”

“Sounds like a pretty good life,” Drake smiled, “But no Dog?”

Cali laughed, “Not yet, maybe someday. I travel too much for a dog, the cats can handle my absences much better.”

Drake nodded, “I totally understand. I think I’ll try Bob out first and then see about a Dog.”

“Good plan,” Cali laughed, exiting the truck.

Drake removed her bike from the back of his truck and handed it over, “Well it was nice to run into you again Cali. Twice in one day, what are the chances? You take care of yourself now.”

“I will,” Cali waved, and started to walk her bike toward the house,“Thanks for the help, I owe you dinner or something.”

Drake laughed, “Okay. I’m always up for dinner….or something.”

Cali’s White Farm House and Garage

******************

It was late afternoon when Cali crossed the foggy meadow between planted fields of Dahlias and Mums to check on her sick friend.

Sage was sound asleep when Cali came knocking on her door with a thermos of ginger tea, so she let herself in and set the tea on the nightstand between the two twin beds. Sage had set them up in her tiny house because she and Cali liked to have sleepovers out there sometimes, and the twin beds were ideal.

As soon as Cali began to leave, Sage stirred and turned over to greet her, “Hey how did it go?”

“You sold out. I’ll Venmo your share of today’s totals.”

“Awesome, go ahead make my day. I hope it was enough to cover an acupuncture session with Heidi tomorrow. I have to get this migraine to chill.”

“I made you some ginger tea, I know it works a little better than the chai for Vertigo.”

Sage looked up to thank Cali and noticed her face, “What the hell happened to you?”

“Another long story, just drink your tea and go back to sleep,” Cali started to leave.

“No, no I want to hear everything, besides it will take my mind off the spinning.”

Cali was dying to share her encounters with Drake, so she plopped down on the twin bed opposite Sage and filled her in on every gory detail.

“Wow, so are we absolutely sure this guy is not just some picaroon? He seems to be a smooth operator, almost too good to be true if you ask me.”

“I know,” Cali wondered the same thing, “but honestly I just have a gut feeling about the guy. He seems genuine, and idealistic, could be just because he’s young, I don’t know.”

“How old do you think he is?”

“Well he is still finishing up at Vet school, so I’m not sure. Maybe around twenty-five.”

“You should invite him to our monthly Full Moon Dinner!” Sage suggested

“Are you sure about that? You know our dinner’s can get pretty wild out here,” Cali laughed.

“Well, if he can survive our group of crazies, he will definitely be a keeper. Just don’t invite Hestia, she might scare the crap out of him with her conspiracy theories,” Sage advised.

“Oh good call, besides isn’t she still in Mumbai until January?” Cali noted.

“Just invite him. I can’t wait to meet this guy,” Sage took a long sip of her steaming hot ginger tea and smiled, “ahhh damn that’s good.”

Sage’s Tiny House Bedroom area

************

Whenever Cali was preparing for a Full Moon Dinner, it was as if her cat, Jett had a sixth sense about what was going on. Jett loved to purr and strut her figure eights between Cali’s ankles while she was cooking in the kitchen. As soon as the guests began to arrive Jett would shimmy up the stairs and perch on the top step to take in the action from above. Perhaps she sensed the raised energy in the house or maybe it was the smell of burning sage and bayberry candles. Either way, Jett was the only cat who liked to hang around for the event. Tink and Buddha could care less, they usually hid upstairs under the bed until all the strangers had vacated the premises.

Sage was the first to arrive through the back door, as she breezed in Cali could smell a cloud of patchouli and lavender in her wake.

“Hey, did you tell Dan to bring his Tarot cards? I could really use one of his readings tonight. Now that the Vertigo is gone my sciatica is acting up. I need to know what’s up with my health,” Sage grumbled, as she set down a loaf of homemade artichoke bread on the white marble counter.

“ Umm, I can’t remember. If he doesn’t bring them we can just use my Angel Deck,” Cali smiled, sipping a Rioja red from her favorite Waterford crystal goblet.

“You mean the old Doreen Virtue deck or the new ‘When the Angels Sing’ deck that Hallie made?”

“It’s Hallie’s. I threw all my Doreen Virtue decks away when she denounced New Age practices and became a born again Christian.”

“That’s hilarious,” Sage laughed, “I still use mine, they’ve always worked well and I don’t think the cards know she’s against them now.”

“Taste this,” Cali poured a glass of red from a tall dark bottle into an ornate silver chalice and handed it over to Sage, “this is the stuff I brought back from the Basque Country last month.”

“Wow delish, your boy Drake is gonna love this. If he’s old enough to drink that is,” Sage teased.

“Haha. It actually came up in our last texting session that he turned twenty-six on October 31st.”

“Ooh a Halloween baby, no wonder you like him, and a Scorpio with Cancer, that’s a match made in heaven girl! Cheers!” Sage clanked her silver to Cali’s crystal just as a loud double chime rang out from the front door.

Cali suddenly felt butterflies and had a deer in headlights expression.

“I’ll get it,” Sage put down her wine and raced for the door, “Oh it’s only Dan and Mateo,” Sage announced with the door open.

“And illustrious greetings to you too, Bitch,” Dan was obviously insulted.

“I guess we boys are chop liver now that there’s a new cow poke in town,” Mateo added.

“And to think we brought you girls our new limited release vegan cheese,” Dan pretended to pout, “Maybe we should just turn right around and share it with people who are happy to see us.”

“Oh c’mon guys you know we still love you and your damn cheese.” Sage’s version of an apology seemed to work.

“Fine. Pour me a glass of what she’s having and I’ll forgive you,” Dan air kissed Sage and set down his basket of well presented cheese.

“Do you want some wine too, Mateo?” Cali called from behind the kitchen island, “It’s from your Motherland.”

“Then by all means, skip the glass and pour me a bottle, por favor.”

Dan took out his phone and began to snap photos of the tablescape,“Cali, it’s stunning!” he gushed, “You make every day feel like it’s Christmas!”

“Thanks Dan, glad you approve! You are my toughest critic!” Cali handed Mateo his glass of wine and went back to stirring her Vegan Paella.

Dan picked up one of the place cards at the table and switched it with another, “Dan what the hell are you doing? Do not mess with my intuitive juju and master plan for the evening!”

“Okay, okay I just don’t want to sit next to Hallie again, she keeps bringing up my cousin Tod and their bad break up. I can only be grilled so long before I cave and tell her that he broke up with her because she butt dialed our Grandmother while they were having sex and now Nana is so traumatized she can never, and I quote ‘look that whore in the eyes again’.

“Oh my God!” Cali raced over, grabbed the place card from Dan’s hand and moved it to the farthest end of the table, “Fine, you sit next to me and Drake, but promise to keep the conversation appropriate and light. I don’t want to scare this guy away before I even get a chance to know him.”

“Well I’d say you are pretty brave letting him meet us all so soon and all at once,” Mateo was aligning crystals and rose quartz across the fireplace mantle, “and at a Moon Party? Is he even into this sort of thing?”

“I have no idea. All I know is that he seems like an open minded type of guy and I promised him a nice dinner, so I guess we’ll find out soon enough, here he comes.” Cali could see Drake’s truck headlights coming up the drive through the front window.

Cali’s Full Moon Dinner Party

Sage didn’t even give Drake a chance to ring the doorbell. She swung open the door, anticipating his arrival. Drake stood awkwardly holding a bottle of Pimm’s in one hand and a small bouquet in the other. “Well Hello there, you must be Sage. I think we met once at the market.”

“Did we?” Sage saw so many faces at the Farmer’s Market she never remembered anyone she’d met once, it took two or three times for faces to stick, “Well cool, I’ll take that for you,” Sage scooped up the Pimm’s and glanced at the label.

“Sorry that is probably more of a Summer drink, but it was the only unopened bottle in my Grandpa’s liquor cabinet and I didn’t want to come empty handed.” Drake regretted his admission but was so nervous he was not in control of his thoughts becoming words just yet.

“Wow, honesty. Sooo refreshing,” Sage smiled and Drake’s tension eased.

“Okay so let me introduce you to our besties,” Sage led Drake into the Dinning area, “This is Dan McCane and his Husband Mateo Cruz. They also work a dairy farm and are regulars down at the Market.

“Nice to meet you,” Drake nodded.

Dan and Mateo both nodded their hellos trying and failing to hold back their fangirly reactions to Drake’s smoldering good looks.

“And I believe you know this lady, our amazing hostess, cook and keeper of the castle, my Queen Calico Matthews.” Sage waved her hand in a Vanna White fashion toward Cali who was coming from the kitchen trying to play it cool.

“Hey, so glad you could make it,” Cali gave Drake a half hug and kiss on the cheek.

“These are for you,” Drake held out the simple bouquet, “I wasn’t sure if you needed any, this being a flower farm and all, but well…”

“No, I love them. That was so thoughtful, Thank you. Wanna come with me to find a vase?” Cali wanted to have a minute alone with Drake before throwing him to her wolves. Drake followed Cali into the surprisingly modern kitchen and breakfast area.

“Nice place. Did you do all the decorating yourself?” Drake was impressed.

“Sure did, it’s kind of my thing. A passion really.” Cali pulled down the last of her Waterford collection to house the flowers, arranging them like a pro while they continued to talk.

Kitchen and Breakfast area

“You know, I have to admit, I’ve never heard of a Full Moon Dinner, so not exactly sure what to expect here. Is this just a regular old dinner party, on the night of a full moon or am I gonna have to get naked and howl in the woods later?”

“Well more of the first part. Nobody is getting naked,” Cali blushed, “We just like to take an evening once a month, if we’re all in town and check in with each other. You know, see where we are in life, maybe try to manifest some good things or release some negative things. It’s a little bit “woo woo” sometimes. But bottomline it’s really about good food, good people and taking time to appreciate life in the moment. Does that make sense?”

“Sounds alright to me,” Drake smiled “pour me a glass of that red and let’s get our Moon on.”

Meanwhile over in the dining room, Sage had joined the boys at the table and they were dishing on Drake while noshing on vegan cheese and crackers.

“Damn she better snatch that hottie up, he’s not gonna be single long,” Mateo whispered.

“Look at him,” Sage whispered back, “clearly he’s into her, she’s got this one in the bag.”

“Yeah, I like them together. Feels like good energy,” Dan grabbed the tarot deck from his satchel, “Here let’s pick a card for them.”

“Yess,” Sage squealed.

“Shh,” Mateo giggled.

Dan quietly shuffled the deck and then spread the cards in a fan, holding them out toward Sage, “Pick one,” Sage took her time, then closed her eyes and drew a card from the far left, “This one.” Dan pulled the card and placed it face up on the table, revealing the LOVERS CARD!

The Lovers Card

“Ahhhh,” all three screamed in unison.

“What’s goin’ on over there?” Cali called from the kitchen.

“Nothing,” all three answered in unison again.

“Maybe we better get out there and join the party,” Drake suggested.

“Good idea,” Cali and Drake headed over with their wine glasses in hand, to see Dan hurriedly stuffing his tarot cards back in the box.

“Oh did Dan already do your cards Sage? What did they say?” Cali sat down opposite Drake at the table.

“The cards were good,” she lied.

“I’ll say they were good. Damn good!” Mateo batted his eyelashes toward Drake.

Before they could continue the conversation, Hallie made a very loud dramatic entrance through the back door, “Sorry I’m late guys! I didn’t want to come,” the buxom brunette had her curly hair piled in a high sloppy bun, and was wearing a white overly furry faux fur bomber jacket.

“I’m seriously going through an agoraphobic phase. I couldn’t even make it to the grocery store to bring anything. I’ve been in my house for seven days straight,” Hallie then took notice of Drake sitting in her usual spot, “Wow! Who is this Surprise visitor?”

“Hallie this is my friend Drake, Drake this is Hallie,” Cali purposely did not take the time to describe Hallie, as she was quite self explanatory. You could instantly feel the energy shift from light and friendly to frenetic.

Sage picked up on it the most, “Well if you are not feelin’ it girlfriend maybe you should head back to bed.”

“Nah, I’m good,” Hallie had her gaze locked on Drake, “I’m feeling more myself already.”

Sage rolled her eyes and took a huge gulp of wine. Drake shifted in his chair, feeling the weight of Hallie’s intense stare.

“Hallie can you help me serve the paella please?” Cali knew she needed to fill Hallie in on her pending status with Drake before the girl unabashedly draped herself all over him like a cheap suit.

Back in the kitchen ladling paella into bowls, Cali whispered, “So just want to give you a heads up this is sort of like my first date with Drake. I’m hoping everyone can just make him feel comfortable tonight.”

“First date? A Moon Party? That takes hella balls girl,” Hallie laughed, “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be good. I promise.”

Somehow Cali was not convinced.

Cali and Hallie each had two bowls of Paella to set before the seated guests, but before Cali could deliver a perfectly scooped bowl to her guest of honor, Hallie swooped in and served Drake first, “Here ya go Honey,” she winked.

Cali could not hide her annoyance and shot Hallie the evil eye, Hallie shrugged it off and kept the second bowl for herself, adding insult to injury she plopped herself down in Cali’s seat next to the boy with smoldering eyes who smelled of cedar and lime.

Sage piped up, “Sit down Cali. I’ll get our bowls.”

“Thanks,” Cali picked up the wine bottle on the table, “More wine anyone?” she was sure to pour everyone at the table a generous amount, then as she came to Hallie’s glass, only a few drops were left, “Sorry Hallie, I think that was our last bottle.”

“Guess we’ll have to open up the Absinthe I brought,” Hallie giggled.

“Absinthe?” Cali could only imagine the trouble a bottle of absinthe could stir up.

Sage passed her homemade bread around the table and the silence of good food set in, long enough to become uncomfortable.

“The Paella is phenomenal!” Dan complimented, “I’m gonna need this recipe.”

“I used real Spanish Saffron,” Cali smiled.

“Wow, this is my first Paella experience,” Drake admitted, “But I could definitely eat another bowl of this. It’s really good.”

“Here let me get you some more,” Hallie offered.

“No, I’ll get it,” Cali insisted.

“Easy girls, I’m good. You two relax. I know where the kitchen is,” Drake headed for the stove to refill his bowl.

Cali whispered to Hallie, “I don’t think we need any absinthe tonight. I sort of have a surprise for later.”

“Are you sure? It’s a special brew I made myself. I thought I’d try the first batch on you guys.”

“Oh lucky us,” Mateo sarcastically clapped his hands, “yay.”

“I’ll try it, I love Absinthe,” Dan grinned. Dan also loved to stir the pot.

“Before we dive into any Absinthe,” Cali instructed, “everyone needs to lift their bottom plate.”

Cali had painstakingly written a poem for each of her guests. Each poem was the first of three clues in a scavenger hunt that would eventually lead to a big surprise for all of them.

“What’s this?” Sage was genuinely taken aback, “Cool. Is it a riddle?”

“Sort of,” Cali pulled hers out from under her plate and handed it to Hallie, “Hallie this one was suppose to be for you. Read it out loud, please.”

“Always the bridesmaid, never the bride
We’ve heard you say, almost daily!
But this time, in the closet hides…
Something blue just for Hallie!!”

“Hmm, it better not be that puffy blue bridesmaid dress my sister made us wear last Summer!” Hallie whined.

“Just go look in the closet!” Sage demanded.

Hallie head for the coat closet, then opened the door. “Oh what’s this?”

Wrapped in clear cellophane with a bright blue bow was a very fanciful champagne glass with a note inside, “Follow the shooting star”

“Okay Sage read yours,” Cali looked over to her best friend.

“Baker Baker burning bright
follow the crumbs to the old bird cage
where something sparkles bright
and bears the name of Sage!”

Sage looked over to the decorative bird cage hanging in the living room and saw another clear cellophane wrapped champagne glass with a gold and glittery bow. She opened it up to find a scripted note that read “Follow the music”

“Oh can we go next?” Dan and Mateo shared the same clue.

“Oh ye fine cheesemakers
here is where you should look…
seek your prize in greener acres,
up, up and away with the books.”

Mateo was already ahead of the game checking the spines of Cali’s books in the niche above her fireplace. “Little Women, Catch 22, The Color Purple….here it is, Green Acres by Doreen Wallace.” Matteo pulled the book out and behind it was a glimpse of the familiar cellophane containing two champagne glasses.

“What does our note say?” Dan called from the table.

“Follow the map”

“Okay and last but not least, go ahead Drake,” Cali nodded toward his plate.

Slowly Drake lifted his plate and found his folded poem, “Okay here goes,” he unfolded the paper and read;

“Saver of Cows and other cool Critters,
you’ll see an Angel not real but fake
with a crown that glows more than it glitters…
beneath her wings, a gift to take!”

Drake scanned the dinning area and the adjacent living room, to see a large painting of an Angel with a pink neon halo, so he walked toward the painting and found his champagne glass hidden behind the sofa underneath the painting. The note inside read, “Follow your Heart.”

“Hmm,” he smiled, “not sure what to make of this one.”

“Time to get your coats everyone,” Cali announced, “follow me to the starting line!!”

Outside, Cali led everyone to the edge of one of her flower fields. Each narrow dirt lane between flower beds had a row of etched paper bag luminaries. The symbols on the bags matched the instructions on the tiny notes. The path of lights led to four different trails on Cali’s property.

“Okay everyone follow your path and I’ll meet you where the lights end,” looking up Cali noticed the rising white moon glowing above the two mountains in the distance, “Oh and don’t forget to enjoy the moon along the way!”

Follow your heart…

Follow the map…

Follow the Music…

Follow the Shooting star.

Cali ducked down a trail that she knew to be a short cut, so that she could run ahead and prepare a few things. In the meantime Hallie had dashed back to the house to grab her bottle of absinthe and began pouring a few splashes into the gift glass Cali provided. Sage took notice of her actions and decided to join her, “Mind if I have a little of that? It might make our treasure hunt a little more interesting.”

“By all means sister friend,” Hallie poured a larger portion into Sage’s gift glass.
“Wait aren’t we suppose to add water and sugar to this stuff? I thought it was too potent to drink straight.”

“Oh it’s potent all right, but you get the kick much faster if you just take a shot.” Hallie was definitely a risk taker.

“Okay,” Sage reluctantly drank the concoction down like a shot, “Oh holy hell, that is God awful.”

“You will be thanking me in about fifteen minutes,” Hallie was back at the start of her path and raised the bottle to Sage, “A little more for the road?”

“Oh hell, why not?” Sage took another swig and then hit her trail running, “Wheee, see you on the other side sister!! Enjoy your Starry Night!”

“And you enjoy your Music, it will definitely lead to the Green Fairy, I can promise you that!” Hallie was off on her trail of stars.

Dan and Mateo were taking their mission oh so seriously, “Maps, ha…last time we needed a map we were snow bound up at Thunder Ridge. Wifi was down, the car battery was dead, no phones, no people for miles. I didn’t even think I could read a map,” Mateo giggled.

“But you came through like a champ Honey, and found that awesome lodge by the river. Do you remember that night? Nothing but S’mores and love.” Dan took Mateo’s hand, “Let’s hope these maps lead to more romance in our future.”

Drake loved a good adventure and while following the luminaries he took in the sights of Cali’s farm. He could smell the lavender along his path and as he looked up to the moon, he caught sight of a shooting star, under his breath he made a wish. “Oh man, look at this girl, she’s got me believin’ in unicorns and wishin’ on stars.” then he stopped in his tracks and looked deeply at the moon in all it’s glory, a firefly hovered before him, for just a moment and Drake said in a clear voice, “Maybe I do believe in unicorns…And wishing on a star.”

Sage had walked a good fifteen minutes on her path when she came to a large wooden arrow, that said There’s no place like home.

The arrow was pointing to the trail that led to Sage’s tiny house, “Oh good,” she laughed, “I have to pee anyway.”

When Sage got closer to her house, she saw that the lights were on and there was music playing inside. “Who’s playing my records?” Sage was very protective of her vinyl collection. She flung open the door, in a full state of tipsyness, “What the…”

Hallie was lying on one of the twin beds, holding the sleeve of her Grace Potter and the Nocturnals album, “Sorry girl, this is where my trail led. Sign said, ‘Play Stars’ it’s Sage’s favorite song.”

Sage admitted, “I think Cali knew we needed a girl’s night! I’m sorry I’ve been such a bitch to you lately.”

Hallie smiled, “It’s okay, I deserved it, but I’ve missed you.”

The two girls hugged, and Hallie poured some more absinthe.

Sage took a sip, “Uhh, maybe we should add a little water. Or it’s gonna be a really long night.”

Their giggles could be heard echoing through the canyon.

“Sounds like somebody is having fun,” Mateo was getting tired of walking, “Are we there yet?”

“What is that over there?” Dan spotted the glow of tiki torches, the torches led to an elaborate camp site. “Wow, this girl has gone all out!”

“OOoh me likey!!” Mateo was thrilled, “It looks like Ralph Lauren threw up all over this place!”

There was an outstretched buffalo plaid blanket set up with a picnic basket of Dom Perignon Champagne and all the ingredients for S’mores. Two large cashmere pillows were resting up against a tree and a portable fire pit was set up and ready to go with a bundle of matches wrapped inside a map, when Dan unfurled the map it read. “I hope you two find true romance, see you in the morning!”

“What is she a mindreader?” Dan was floored, “And what is this about morning? It’s fuckin’ cold out here!”

“Look!” Mateo pointed behind the tree there was a tent set up with two down sleeping bags inside, “I think she thought of everything!”

“Well if this isn’t the best Moon Party ever!!” Dan was very pleased with their surprise.

Drake’s luminaries ended at the cliff’s edge over looking a creek, the same creek he use to play in as a child. Seeing the creek in moonlight brought back memories of early morning fishing trips with his Grandfather and he couldn’t help but smile. He looked around for another clue on the trail but there was nothing. Behind him was a very large oak tree and he could have sworn he heard an Owl hoot near by. He closed his eyes to listen again, and there it was, “Hoot, hoot.” Only this time it sounded oddly human. He turned to see where the strange owl was coming from and suddenly the huge oak tree lit up with twinkle lights, revealing a large wooden tree house nestled in the branches. Cali appeared in the doorway and tossed down a long rope ladder, “Come on up Cowboy!”

Drake climbed up the ladder with ease, something Cali did not do moments earlier, as she was rushing to set the scene inside the cozy wooden tree house. With the short time she had, Cali managed to light a few candles and fluff up a quilted blanket in the middle of the floor. There was also a comfy bed, she had made up earlier in the day and placed within the main window, half inside and half outside, to take in the night sky.

“Welcome to my secret hide out,” Cali informed Drake, “would you like a glass of Champagne?” Cali hoisted a rope and pulley from inside the treehouse. Up through a hole in the floor rose a bucket of Cristal on ice, “You did bring your glass didn’t you?”

Drake laughed, pulling it out of his back pocket and handing it over, “Sure did.”

He then took a seat on the blanket next to a picnic basket that held a lovely display of chocolate covered strawberries and a few bunches of grapes.

“Are all of your Moon Parties this elaborate?” he smiled.

“They are always full of surprises, but this one, sort of only comes along once in a Blue Moon.”

They clinked glasses and settled in to get to know each other a little better. Cali began the questioning, “So tell me a little bit more about you. Starting with your favorite color, what is it?”

“Blue, what’s yours?”

“Green. Favorite Ice Cream?”

“Hmmm, probably coffee…”

“No way, that’s my favorite too!” Cali smiled.

“Okay my turn,” Drake took a sip of his champagne, “What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?”

“Besides coaxing you up to my treehouse? Hmmm, it would have to be the first time I hiked alone overnight through the Australian bush.”

“First time? So, you did it again?”

“Once I conquer something, the thrill takes over the fear and then I become addicted. The whole thrill junkie thing you know.”

“Oh, I know.” Drake nodded, “So are you still afraid of me?” Drake moved in closer to Cali, taking her face in his hands, and kissing her very sweetly for the first time.

“Hmm, kinda nice, I like it. Gonna have to try it a few more times though to really get over the fear, you are terrifying you know.”

They both smiled and continued to kiss, melting into each other with such explosive chemistry. What began slowly started to build with heat and lust, until they found themselves passionately removing each other’s clothes and making their way over to the tiny bed beneath the stars.

Drake whispered, “I thought you said nobody was getting naked tonight?”

Cali whispered back, “guess I lied.”

Tree House

The dappled light poured through the trees resting on Cali’s face, neck and shoulders. The moving light then danced over the entangled white sheets that were twisted between them. Cali stirred first, stretching her arms up with a slight moan as she woke, nearly forgetting where she was, until the chilly morning air bit so cold, her memory shot back to the blissful night that led to Drake lying warm and naked beside her now. Drake slowly opened his eyes and smiled at Cali, “Well isn’t this a sweet Deja Vu? I think I’ve dreamt this up a time or two.”

Cali smiled, “Did you really?” she snuggled in closer, “feels like a dream to me too.”

They kissed and carried on, warding off the bitter cold, until Cali pulled away, “I can make us some coffee back at the house, if you want, or tea I have lavender and chamomile. I probably should be checking on the others.”

“I think they can wait a little longer, I honestly can’t get enough of you Calico Matthews.” Drake took Cali’s hand and pulled her back bed.

The minutes lingered into an hour or more, when suddenly Cali heard her name echoing down the canyon. “Cali, Cali…Cali come quick I need you!!”

“That doesn’t sound good,” Drake rose from the bed and Cali followed, “You think they burnt the coffee?”

Cali laughed, “Sounds like Hallie, so that is highly likely.”

Within minutes Cali and Drake were dressed and climbing down the rope ladder one after the other, just then Hallie was standing in front of them out of breath and quite shaken.

“It’s Sage, somethings wrong. I don’t know what to do. I just woke up and found her lying on the floor, I can’t get her to wake up Cali. Oh my God!” Hallie started crying.

Cali started to sprint toward the tiny house, Drake was right behind her.

When Cali got to Sage she was still limp on the floor and completely unresponsive, Cali could not hold back her tears or panic, “Sage? Sage…Oh my God Sage, wake up!”

Drake stepped in and took Sage’s pulse, “She’s alive Cali, but we need to get her to the hospital now,” Drake scooped Sage up carefully and started walking towards his truck, Cali followed in silence. Hallie came running up, “What can I do? Can I go with you?”

“You stay here,” Drake instructed, “Let Dan and Mateo know what’s going on.”

“Okay, Okay,” Hallie was still upset, “We drank the whole bottle of Absinthe, do you think it killed her?”

“Oh my God,” Cali looked over to Hallie, “You drank all of it?”

“We were up all night talking, I passed out around dawn,” Hallie started to sob.

“What time did you find her?” Drake asked.

“I don’t know, around fifteen, twenty minutes ago.”

Cali looked at her watch, “So that’s three and half hours, she could’ve been out.”

“We’ll call you from the hospital,” Drake yelled back to Hallie.

“Go find Dan and Mateo, they’re down by the creek,” Cali instructed.

Hallie started running toward the creek. Drake lifted Sage into the backseat of his cab, and covered her with the spare blanket he kept for emergencies. Cali climbed in back with Sage and held her head in her lap to keep her safe.

“Is St. Mary’s still the closest Hospital?” Drake asked as he started the engine.

“No, Presbyterian,” Cali stated, “They have better doctors, a branch opened up off the interstate near the Cider Mill.”

“Okay, I know where that is,” Drake focused on driving as fast as he could while Cali sat in the back with Sage, crying and praying.

“We’ve been sitting in this waiting room over an hour, and not a word from the Doctor,” Cali was beside herself.

“Let me see if I can get a nurse to tell us what’s going on,” Drake took charge and headed to the nurses station.

Within a few minutes Drake, and the nurse were headed toward Cali, “We can go in, she’s gonna take us to Sage.”

The nurse was short and round, with dark curly hair, tied up in a knot, “This way. Follow me,” she led them down the sterile white hallway, and past a room with beeping machinery to a wooden door with a glass window marked; ICU room 1313, “She’s in here, and still unresponsive. The doctor will join you in a moment.”

Cali teared up, seeing Sage lying lifeless and pale with tubes and monitoring equipment strewn about her tiny body. Cali immediately went to hold Sage’s hand, “come on, Sagey, wake up. Please wake up. I need you. We all need you. You have to wake up,”

Drake stood behind Cali with his hand on her shoulder, “Her vitals actually look pretty good,” he was reading the updated stats on the whiteboard.

“They do?” Cali whimpered.
“Yes, her vitals are good,” interrupted the Doctor as he entered the room, “are you a Doctor?” he addressed Drake.

“Veterinarian,” Drake answered.

“Oh, nice, sometimes I wish I had gone that route,” the doctor smiled, “I’m Doctor Greyson,” he shook Drake’s hand, “your friend here has us stumped. We have a myriad of tests running on her now, as you can see her vitals are stable. It’s the coma we are trying to assess.”

“Coma? She’s in a coma?” Cali was visibly upset by this fact being verified.

“The results from her MRI show a small brain tumor, we are determining if it is operable at this time. My guess is the tumor is causing the loss of consciousness.”

“So this is not alcohol poisoning?” Drake asked.

“Well I am sure the alcohol did not help her situation. But there is definitely a tumor in place, that has been growing for some time now,” Dr. Greyson pulled up the MRI results on the computer to show them the black and white evidence, “as you can see it is quite small and has not invaded the major tissue, as yet. The sooner we operate the better.”

“Is it safe while she’s in this state?” Cali inquired.

“It can be done, we are giving her time to come to on her own, the medications and fluids are taking effect, which is a good sign. I have to ask, have you notified her next of kin? We may need some signatures. She does not have an advance directive as far as we know.”

“Only her Mother is alive and unfortunately she is incarcerated. Sage was an emancipated minor and has not been in contact with her for fifteen years. She would not want that woman involved in any of this. I’m listed as her emergency contact, I can make any decisions she needs.”

“Well legally you can’t. We don’t have anything in writing.”

“Just save her life, Doctor. Whatever it takes. Save her!” Cali was getting emotional again.

“She’s opening her eyes,” Drake interrupted, “Sage? Sage?”

The Doctor rushed to her side and looked into her eyes with his flashlight, “Can you hear us? Blink once if you can hear us?”

Sage blinked.

Portrait of Sage on The Wildflower Farm

Within a few minutes Sage opened both eyes and tried to speak. No words were forming. The Doctor addressed her, “Sage you are in the hospital, we need to do surgery immediately do we have your permission to operate?”

Sage looked over to Cali, and Cali nodded with tears in her eyes.

Sage blinked and whispered the words “Yes.”

“Wonderful Sage, I am going to send some nurses in to prep you for the OR.” Doctor Greyson rushed out of the room.

Cali took Sage’s hand and brought it to her own cheek, “I really love you, you’re my best friend Sage, you got this. You are gonna be just fine.” Cali was still very emotional.

Sage looked down at her dull eburnean hospital gown, “What the hell am I wearing?” clearly displeased with the hospital’s fashion choice.

Drake laughed, and Sage let out a slight giggle.

“Thank God you’re still in there,” Cali laughed.

“What happened?” Sage wanted to know everything. “And what’s the Cowboy doing here?”

Cali explained it all just as two nurses came in to get her ready for surgery, “She is going to be in surgery for quite a while, why don’t you two go home and wait. We will call you as soon as she’s in recovery,” informed the first nurse.

“I don’t want to leave her,” Cali insisted.

“Go home,” Sage said waving her arm in a bossy fashion, “I don’t want anyone seeing me like this.”

“Are you sure?” Cali really didn’t want to go.

“Yes, and bring me back some cooler clothes,” Sage smiled.

Cali blew Sage a kiss and walked out of the room with Drake.

Drake put his arm around Cali, “Do you want to go get some breakfast?”

“I could eat,” Cali turned to look at Drake, “Thank you so much for being here and for helping get her here.” Drake kissed Cali on the forehead, “It’s what I do.”

After a leisurely breakfast at Rosie’s Cafe, Drake dropped Cali off back at her farm, “Let me know how she did, and I’m here if you need anything.” Cali nodded and smiled then they kissed goodbye.

Hallie, Dan and Mateo had long gone home since Cali called and updated them on Sage’s condition. Yet surprisingly they had cleaned everything up from the night before and left her place immaculate. With no straightening up to do, Cali decided to gather some flowers for Sage, she had to keep her mind busy to avoid worrying. So she headed to the dahlia field just as it was beginning to rain. Losing herself in the bright blooms and allowing the downpour of warm wet mist to consume her, the rain mixed with her tears as she pleaded with God to let Sage be alright.

How coloured the flowers all smelled as they huddled there in petalled prayer...the lines of Sage’s favorite XTC song came flowing through Cali’s stream of consciousness as she continued to gather Dahlias and Daisies from the misty field. Her basket was overflowing and her thin jumpsuit soaking wet. But she wasn’t cold, or hungry or anything at all. She just wanted to stay in that field forever and forget reality. She was dreading the phone call that was yet to come. She started to go over things in her head again and again, Why Sage? Maybe her vertigo and sciatica were symptoms not conditions? Sage had been sick off and on with headaches and dizziness. Why didn’t she see the signs, why didn’t she tell Sage to go to the doctor. Maybe she could have caught the tumor early before she needed surgery. The tears started to flow again and Cali collapsed on her knees in the mud, sobbing for her friend. Sobbing over the fear of losing her. As she was down at the base of the flower stalks a small frog hopped out of the greenery and perched on her thigh looking up at her intensely as if offering his sympathy. Cali felt a calmness wash over her and she began to smile, “Look at you, you cute little guy. Thank you for visiting me.” she stroked his green head and spotted back with her finger as he bowed to her lovingly, then hopped away in one huge leap.

Frog visitor

Cali got herself up and hauled the heavy basket of blooms back to the house. She set them in the kitchen sink to soak while she went upstairs and took a long hot shower. Again losing herself to an array of good and bad thoughts. She couldn’t stop thinking about the little frog. She knew that animals who suddenly appeared on her path usually came with a message. When she got out of the shower she wrapped herself in a short white towel and plopped onto her bed. Reaching for her Animal Spirit Guide, she turned to the page with a Frog on it, and read the following;

Frog as an Animal Spirit Guide may be coaxing you toward a physical or emotional cleansing. Detox, cry until you find peace. Look for a mantra or chant aimed at purification and healing so you can sing with Frog back to wholeness.

But remember, Frogs can jump 50 times their own body length. You have the strength to swim through those murky waters my friend and Frog Spirit is there to help support you.

His message couldn’t be more clear, and strangely made her feel a little bit better. Then the phone rang. She glanced at the time before she pushed accept on her screen, it was 7:13 pm.

“Hello.”

“Is this Calico Matthews?” the male voice on the other end posed.

“Yes, it is.”

“This is Doctor Greyson. Sage has come through surgery and is now in for a long night of recovery. She may not be conscious until early tomorrow morning. The surgery was a bit more touch and go then I had intended. I’m not going to lie, we almost lost her…”

“What? Oh my God,” Cali could feel all the emotions crashing back to the surface, “How? What exactly happened?”

“That’s a very good question, but…it’s rather difficult to explain. You see we are not exactly sure ourselves. But there was some kind of miracle on that table and from the vitals and signs we are reading now your friend is going to be just fine.”

“Are you sure? I’m coming down to stay with her,” Cali was so anxious to see Sage and make sure she was alright.

“No, no we can’t let you do that, she is being heavily monitored with round the clock nurses right now in the ICU and these next twelve hours will be crucial. They will tell us if the surgery was a complete success or not.”

“But I thought you said she was going to be fine?” Cali’s voice was breaking.

“Her vitals are good, I just cannot guarantee anything yet, we need to see how she physically responds once she is conscious. If everything is connecting the way it needs to be connecting. So you stay where you are for tonight. You can see her in the morning. But we don’t recommend any other visitors. She needs some quiet time to recover.”

“I understand. Ok, but…”

Dr. Greyson hung up before Cali could ask anymore questions and she collapsed onto the bed and cried, pushing her long wet dark hair to the side and pulling the bath towel up to her eyes to blot the tears. She was sobbing so loudly she didn’t hear the knock downstairs or the familiar voice calling her name up the stairs, “Cali?” “Cali?”

Finally there was a gentle tap on her door and Drake standing in her room, “Oh Cali honey, I came to check on you, and your back door was open.”

He sat on the bed and let her melt into him, pouring out all the tears she had left, crying into his thin plaid shirt until she could find peace.

Cali’s Bedroom

The room was pitch black as Cali sat up in bed and glanced at the clock on her bedside table, the digital numbers glowed 5:03 am. She then realized she had fallen asleep in her white bath towel, “Well that’s a first,” she whispered aloud, completely forgetting she wasn’t alone. Drake was sound asleep in his clothes on top of the duvet beside her. He spent all night talking her down from her neurotic spin out, and stayed to make sure she was alright. Cali was amazed at how patient he’d been with her and now she was a little more than embarrassed to have spilled so much vulnerability on him all at once like this.

Quietly she moved the covers off and got out of bed, making her way to the closet to throw on some jeans and a shirt. Drake didn’t stir, he looked completely at peace with his arms crossed over his chest and his boots still on. Cali grabbed a decorative blanket from the foot of the bed and draped it over him lovingly before heading downstairs to make him some breakfast.

She was just finishing the eggs when Drake entered the kitchen, “Do I smell coffee?” he walked up behind her and gave her a good morning hug and kiss on the cheek. “You okay?”

“See that sunrise,” Cali looked out the kitchen window, “It’s a new day and thanks to you I can’t even remember why I was spinning out. It’s like you said last night “See that sunrise,” Cali looked out the kitchen window, “It’s a new day and thanks to you I can’t even remember why I was spinning out. It’s like you said last night everything is going to work out perfectly, the way it’s supposed to. Right?”

“Right,” Drake nodded, as he poured himself a cup of coffee, “Can I drive you down to the Hospital?”

“They told me to come alone. She can’t have any other visitors just yet.”

“Well I can drop you off and swing back later if you like?” Drake didn’t like the idea of her going through all of this alone.

Cali set a plate of eggs, bacon and toast in front of him, “I’m having a hard time believing you are real.”

“What?” Drake laughed, taking a bite of his toast.

“Seriously, I’ve never met a guy like you before and you have no idea how much I appreciate you.”

“Hey I told you, you don’t have to Thank me and don’t go doin’ anything special for me or anything.”

Cali laughed looking at his plate, “I already did.”

“Oh my God,” Drake laughed, “You mean these eggs and bacon are the real deal?”

“Just for you, you carnivore,” Cali the devoted vegan made her first sacrifice for her new man.

“Well that does it then, I am your devoted chauffeur for the day.”

Cali blended up a green smoothie for herself and grabbed her coat. As they stepped out the front door Cali gasped, there in her drive way was a bright shiny Cali blended up a green smoothie for herself and grabbed her coat. As they stepped out the front door Cali gasped, there in her drive way was a bright shiny red convertible Shelby Cobra 427 “Is that a race car? Where’s your truck?”

“It was my Grandpa’s, he was a collector, and I figured hey “It was my Grandpa’s, he was a collector, and I figured hey what is the point of owning a race car if you can’t drive it?”

Cali smiled, “Well this is gonna be one hell of a ride.”

Drake decided to take the back roads so they could safely surpass the speed limit and experience just what the car had to offer. Cali found it exhilarating, especially with the beautiful glow of the rising sun as their back drop and the rolling hills as their side view.

By the time Drake pulled up to the front of the hospital Cali had completely forgotten her worries over Sage and was now ready to face whatever reality lie beyond those doors.

“Give me a holler when you’re ready for a ride home,” Drake called as Cali gracefully exited the exotic car.

“Will do,” she slammed the car door, “and hey bring this car back okay?”

“Yes Ma’am,” Drake saluted and sped off.

The eerie silence of the stark white hospital at such an early hour was an immediate contrast to everything Cali had just experienced and her mood drastically shifted back to somber and apprehensive. As she rounded the corner she came face to face with Dr. Greyson as he was leaving Sage’s room.

“Dr. Greyson? How is she? Can I go in?”

Dr. Greyson took a moment before speaking and Cali felt her stomach flip. “Sage is responsive and everything is looking quite promising. We just have a few more tests we are waiting on. I am sure she will be happy to see you. Go on in.”

“Thank you so much, that is good news. Please let me know when the other tests are in.”
“Yes of course,” Dr. Greyson nodded and walked off in a rush.

Cali felt the weight of the world lift as she opened the door to Sage’s room and saw her sitting up in bed looking out the window.

“Hey you,” Cali whispered.

“Who are you?” Sage snapped back.

“What…” Cali’s heart dropped.

“I’m kidding, Oh my God you should have seen your face just now,” Sage laughed so hard she snorted.

“You are seriously a brat,” Cali walked in and sat on the edge of Sage’s bed, “You scared the hell out of me.”

“Aww you Love me,” Sage smiled, “Don’t worry you’ll never be rid of me. I love you too.”

The two girls hugged and Cali started to shed happy tears.

**********

Fall and Winter passed, Sage was getting better everyday. Cali put her travels on hold to assist Sage as she adjusted from the hospital and physical therapy back into her routine of every day life.

The countdown to Spring and new blooms seemed to be a savored moment to moment existence. Cali appreciated Sage and her life on the farm more than anything else, in fact she decided to give up her Soho digs and make the Farm her main residence. Things with Drake were evolving nicely and he added a puppy and two more cows to his farmily. Sage named the Australian shepherd pup “Hope” and they all agreed Hope was the new light of all their lives.

Hope

“Come on Hope, come here baby,” Sage called to the fluff ball from Drake’s porch. When Hope refused to move from her spot on the front lawn Sage ran out to her and began a game of chase.

Cali sat on the porch with her Pimm’s in hand and raised her glass toward Drake in the opposite rocking chair. “Well here is to these beautiful painted skies and more days on this porch with all of you. I love you so much.”

“Love you too,” Drake smiled.

“Did I tell you I am changing the name of my blog?” Cali grinned, “‘Let’s go Anywhere’, is now officially ‘Let’s Stay Right Here’.

Drake laughed and then reached out his hand to Cali, squeezing it lightly he sighed, “Sounds good to me.”

**********

The End