Celeste was always an affectionate woman from the time she was very young. In the time since she had a chance to settle down out of her wilder streaks, and after all that had happened to her in life, she had grown to be a bit lonesome. That changed in late 2006.
Quite some eventful months ago, she found a website spotlighting a young visionary that was provoked to offer hugs, free of charge, to our very impersonal, busy as beavers society. In the dynamic and motivating video broadcasted on the internet with a background soundtrack that was vitally liberating, the venturing protagonist carried a crude sign offering free hugs to anyone open minded and daring enough to take him up on his risk-free offer. People slowly warmed to his cuddly nature. Eventually, he was faced with the unfortunate scourges of persecution and short-sighted intolerance -- and was escorted and banished from the outdoor mall. After a popularized petition grew to epic proportions, the free-hugs campaign spread like wildfires across Australia, North America, and the globe with thunderous fanfare.
Free time has not been in a premium for Celeste, but she always meant to launch a local chapter of free hugs when she had a tick tock or two of free time. At Christmas, she leapfrogged with a new friend up to Toronto to wreak her own brand of havoc on somebody else's stomping grounds for a refreshing change. While in the bowels of downtown Toronto -- in the epicenter of consumerism and avarice -- they were pleasantly surprised to encounter fifteen spirited members of the organization. Celeste got a pre-emptive introduction to the empowering sensations of a lavish excess of hugs on that wondrous day.
So when her friend decided they should offer free hugs in January, she took her up on her inviting offer. Celeste very rarely turned down an offer to play the fool for a day. They crafted their free hugs signage, adorned with a flamboyant flourish of sparklies and glitter, and trudged off to the mall. They were inundated almost immediately.
There were skittish and bashful hugs when the would-be hugger thought they were being observed by judgmental bystanders; or a few uninspired hugs accompanied with a pat on the back. There were the "lemming" hugs when friends of would-be embracers decided they needed a hug too -- even if their hugging needs were aroused by the pressure of their peers. There were those leaning, fearful of proximity hugs ("pecks on the chest") which diminished as more and more curious patrons observed the kerfuffle. There were quite a few hugs accompanied with a kiss on the cheek or the top of her head which unwittingly moved Celeste and she broke into fits of silliness and even song. There were a few hugs from the kiddies too and in one case she got to hug a little girl's cushiony, velveteen teddy bear (the "Pookie" hug). There were confiding hugs where she was held tight while they whispered into her ears their humorous banter and giggles, their encouragement, or their insightful discourse. There were short lived hugs or sustained embraces one of them just didn't want to bring to a grinding halt. There were the uplifting or swinging hugs where one of the huggers was hoisted from the ground spun into dizzy submission.
By the end of that day, Celeste had the science of the hug all figured out and there was so much instruction to be done on the enrapturing magnitude of the hug, the innate dependence on hugs, and the societal need for the proliferation of the hug in our daily lives. Hugs heal. Hugs cause smiles and wipe away sorrows. Hugs bind. Hugs revive. Hugs redeem. Hugs speak volumes of words. Hugs say hello. Hugs say goodbye. Hugs say I'm sorry. Hugs say I forgive you. Hugs slow us down -- and can make a moment seem to last an eternity. Hugs open minds. Hugs are the bestest reminders that we all need someone to care if only for a fleeting moment in time -- and can offer the same gesture when and if it is required of us. If Celeste ever turns down a hug from anybody, you'll know her heart is dead.
In the midst of this kerfuffle, Celeste spotted a woman who she loosely recognized. She watched the mysterious woman, approximately her same age, viewing the spectacle from afar. The woman was obviously leery to approach.
Celeste, on the other hand, possessed virtually no strains of tempered bashfulness. She never stopped herself from doing something in the spur of the moment. It would never be in her nature. Besides, this woman was stunning.
Celeste had for many years consigned herself to the exclusive love of women. While it had not always worked in her favor, and she had spent many years alone because of her unorthodox choices in the bedroom, she was predominantly content with her choices. She often wandered in parks, beaches, malls, and places where women would collect for her own admiration. Not that they knew Celeste was looking. She was usually discreet.
In this case, during a brief hiatus from her duties, she wandered in a bee line straight for the curious onlooker. The look on her face was precious as Celeste approached. Almost completely spooked, the woman turned to flee.
Celeste -- "You've been watching for hours. I'm surprised you're running away now that I'm coming over to give you what you probably deserve."
Onlooker -- "I'm sorry if I was staring. I was waiting for a friend that is dreadfully late. I think he has his own conception of time."
Celeste -- "Typical man. Stereotypical even."
Celeste lifted one hand in the air. Then the other. Shaking them in jazz hands. The innocent bystander just giggled.
Onlooker -- "Maybe I was a little curious."
Celeste -- "Yes, I believe maybe a little more than a little."
Onlooker -- "Maybe a smidge more than a little."
Celeste -- "Enough to give me a hug now?"
Onlooker -- "Maybe just one."
Celeste leapt into her arms and squeezed the woman tightly.
Celeste -- "I've got you now and I'm not letting go. Bwahahahaha."
The mysterious woman just giggled incessantly and squeezed Celeste's body to her own. She had never been hugged by a stranger like this. She remarked to herself that she liked the feeling of Celeste's hugs.
Celeste -- "Since your absent minded friend didn't bother to pencil you in, would you care to spend a few tick tocks with me and my friend? I think you might enjoy yourself for the rest of the afternoon. After all, what were you gonna do now? Go shopping?"
Onlooker -- "Yes I thought I might go down to the Victoria Secrets store so I could tempt a new friend back into my life since my absentminded friend didn't bother to pencil me in properly."
Celeste -- "Lucky new friend. *Winks* Tell you what, after a little while, I'll come along with you. Might be fun to go shopping with someone so inclined to entice her friends with slinky negligees and revealing underclothes. Game? By the way, what's your name?"
The onlooker paused for a moment. Celeste was fun and she kept her little secret to herself for the moment. It wasn't yet time to spring that jack in the box on her would-be hugger. She introduced herself as Carolyn. With that, she joined Celeste and her friend in their hijinks. For the rest of the afternoon, all three of the women hugged the busy beavers that ran to and fro in the mall.
After a few hours, Celeste's friend had to head to work at a local bar. Celeste turned to Carolyn, mischief gleaming in her eyes.
Celeste -- "The day is still young, Carolyn. Shall we go and pry the secret out of Victoria? Naughty girl that she is?"
Off they went into the inner sanctum of the mall. They found the well trafficked store and Celeste skipped off to a nearby rack leading Carolyn astray. Picking four or five lacy and naughty outfits off the rack, she held them up to Carolyn.
Celeste -- "Yum"
Celeste -- "Yuck"
Celeste -- "Yuck" Celeste -- "Fuck"
