Julie Campbell was sitting at her work desk reading the lovely card from her lover, Star, describing their last twelve months of passion and discovery, tenderness, and devotion. Smiling, she put down the note and recalled that weekend when she met Star, and everything in Julie's life was turned upside down, and she arrived at this indescribably delicious chapter in her life.
I'd like to tell you the story of that life-changing weekend and how these two amazing people moved from coworkers to friends, to lovers.
*****
Julie was working as a social worker at the Greenland Community Center. The job was okay, but she didn't get along with her bosses. To make matters more challenging, she was living with her Grandfather, who had raised her, and now she cared for him. Every morning, she rose at 5:30, set out his medications, and threw meat, potatoes, and veggies into a slow cooker for their dinner that evening. Work, home, and life were humdrum. She had a boyfriend, a big-shot finance guy named Jay, who had a teeny-weeny weenie that he was very proud of. Julie often had to go into the bathroom and finish the job that Jay couldn't do himself. Hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
All of that changed last year when Winter melted into Spring. Jay went away for an extended business trip, and Julie suspected he was cheating on her. [She later discovered he was.] That same day she spent fighting with her Grandfather's health insurance company—that crap can frustrate the finest of souls. Then she cursed her fate, driving through a blazing thunderstorm to work.
She was the first to arrive at her office, decorated with bright prints and potted plants. Settling at her desk, she sipped exotic tea from her mug emblazoned with
"Things Could be Worse"
and opened her email messages.
She was shocked to see Glenda's message criticizing the folders she had painstakingly prepared for the center's new members. Then she read a message from the Director explaining that from now on, the social worker [Julie] should respond to any non-physical disturbances occurring in the exercise rooms, not security.
Julie was miffed and disappointed that no one had told her about this policy change. She absently drummed her fingers on her desk and wondered if a job change was in order. Perhaps a master's degree could improve her professional life. "Hm," she thought, "I wonder if the local college has a Master's Program in social work?" She went to their website, clicked the dropdown menus, and discovered they did. Tuition was more money than she expected, but she probably could get help from her Grandfather. Just then, her coworkers began arriving, and she clicked off the college's site before being discovered.
Returning to her email, she read the announcement that the new yoga instructor was beginning work that day.
"Meet Star Townsend. She is from Connecticut, single, and enjoys yoga, rollerblading, and antiques."
Julie clicked on the PDF containing her picture. "Whoa," a deep breath escaped from her lips. Star was a dazzling, exotic woman with a golden-bronze complexion and smoldering almond-brown eyes. A riot of dark dreadlocks framed her gorgeous face; she had full, pouty lips.
Wow! She must get a ton of guys,
thought Julie. Then, noticing the time, she clicked off Star Townsend's picture and got to work. Around 4 o'clock, Julie received an urgent call about a disturbance in Exercise Room 1, down the hall.
When Julie entered the crowded room, she witnessed an older man with a fierce look and large, rounded shoulders shouting at a second, more petite man.
"Orientation! I'll tell you who needs to get oriented around here." The man advanced on his victim. Shocked, Julie pushed past the circle of people and grabbed the man by his sweater. She wasn't expecting his strength. He spun her around, shoved her hard against the mirrored wall, and she cracked her head.
Fire rescue was called. They placed Julie in a wheelchair, and Glenda turned to Star, the new instructor, and told her to stay with Julie.
An hour later, Star sat quietly, listening to the doctors explain to Julie that she had experienced a mild concussion and would have to stay in the hospital for one night in case there were any complications.
"But she's going to be alright?" Asked Star.
"Yes, it's just a precaution."
"What are visiting hours?"
"Until ten."
"Tank yuh," Star assured Julie that she would keep her company until they threw her out.
"But you don't have to do that, Star. I feel okay now, and you've been helpful enough and should go home."
"But what if I don't want to? Maybe there's nobody home to keep me company."
Julie was grateful for the company, and when an orderly brought dinner on a tray, Star glanced at the food, sniffed it, and made a face.
"Is something wrong with the food?"
"In school, we used to call this mystery meat. Why anyone would eat it is a
mystery
to me. I'm going out and getting both of us something edible.
While Star was gone, Julie phoned her Grandfather, updated him, assured him there was no need to worry, and told him that dinner was in the Crock Pot. She called Jay and was leaving a voicemail when Star entered the room like a tropical breeze, carrying takeout. She laid out the dishes from the neighborhood Thai restaurant. It smelled delicious.
"Thank you. It smells heavenly. I'm glad you're here; I'm starving."
"Me too." The girls dug in. As Julie ate, she glanced at Star and began wondering about her. She wanted to know more about her.
"So tell me, is your name really Star?"
"No, it's
Nyota
, which means Star in Swahili. When I moved to the States to finish high school, some girls made fun of my name. '
Nyota-Toyota,'
they called me, which I hated, so I started calling myself Star, and it stuck."
Julie considered this explanation. Star had perfect skin, a glowing complexion, and dark eyes that recalled a velvety night sky. A primal urge swam up from deep in Julie's soul, and she wished to reach across the bed and caress Star, but she maintained her cool.
"—It fits you."
"Thanks." Star grinned.
"Was that your boyfriend you were calling when I walked in before?"
Julie didn't hear her question.
"Julie?"
"What?"
"That phone call to Jay, is he a brother or your boyfriend?"
"I guess he's my boyfriend."
"What does that mean?"
"I don't know...it's just that...oh, never mind."
"You don't want to talk about it?"Julie shook her head, no. "That's okay with me, so tell me how long you've lived here."
"All my life."
"You must like it then."
"It's all I know."
"How about you?"
"I just moved here from Connecticut to take this job."
"Where are you from originally?"
"Jamaica, mon, my mom is Jamaican, and my dad is from the West Indies. You might say I'm a mixture of naughty, nice, and West Indian spice—a Caribbean Queen." She laughed, "How about you? Where did you get your gorgeous auburn hair and those enchanting green eyes?"
Julie blushed. "My dad was Irish, and my mom was from Scotland. I'm a Scottish goddess," she chuckled. Do your parents live here?"
"No,
mon, both
of my parents live in Jamaica. They're doctors and busy with work and entertaining their rich, stuffy friends. They never had time for me. When I was sixteen, they shipped me to Connecticut to attend an all-girls boarding school, and I lived in dorms ever since, until now."
