Julie & Jill

Jill looked at the clock on the wall just outside the receptionist’s area. 2:00. Time for a break. She placed the chart she was holding in a holder and headed for the break room. “Taking a break?” asked Short and Plump, whose name happened to be Gloria. “Yeah, I think I will now. Want to join me?” “Sure.” Once seated in the break room with tea and crackers, Gloria spoke up, making her observations clear. “You know, I think that girl liked you.” Jill stopped chewing. “What girl?” “Oh, come on. Take a wild guess.” Jill chewed some more. “The short one in the pink and green?” Gloria nodded. “Didn’t you get that impression?” “I kind of wondered if it was that or if she was just nervous.” They sat in silence as they sipped their tea. “Know what else I think?” said Gloria. “What’s that?” “I think you liked her, too.” Jill chuckled, glancing down into her cup. “Well?” “Yeah, yeah, ok. She was a cute one.” “Maybe the psychic was right.” Jill froze. “What?” “She said she was one of them, too.” “And?” “And, ‘I hope your knee gets better,’” she told me on her way out. “Interesting,” said Gloria. “Perhaps psychics really do exist.” “I’d hardly consider her to be psychic on just that one thing, but it does make you wonder.” “So how is that knee of yours, anyway?” Jill thought about it a moment, then she looked up with a smile and said, “Funny thing. It’s been better since she left.” “You definitely have to call this girl, Jill.” “Yeah, right. And say what? Remember me? I’m the nurse who saw you in the Santa Monica medical clinic, and you see, I really liked what I saw, and I’m curious to know more about you, so let’s get together, say, tonight?” Gloria laughed. “Why not?” “Oh, come on. That’d hardly be professional of me, don’t you think?” Gloria thought about it. “Well, I can see where most people would say no, it wouldn’t be very professional. However, if she’s meant to be, she will be no matter what.” Jill sipped her tea. Suddenly, a solemn expression crossed her face. “I guess she’s just not meant to be then.” “You poor thing,” said Gloria, rising to her feet. “Better luck in the next life.” She threw her cup in the trash and left the room. Jill sat there alone, unaware of the fact that she was on Julie’s mind just as much as Julie was on hers. It was just after 5:00 when Julie left the Cirque de Briller’s training center. As an acrobat for the local circus, she performed on an average of three nights a week in various parts of the city and the surrounding cities. The temperature was just beginning to cool as she headed up the street toward her apartment building. A horn honked. She started to ignore it because she knew what they usually meant. However, this time she glanced to the side, nearly fainting at what she saw. No! This can’t be true! I have to be dreaming! But she wasn’t. The driver really was the gorgeous nurse from the clinic. With a wide smile, she approached the blue late-model SUV. Jill lowered her window. “Hi,” said Julie in a cheerful voice. “Hi there. I saw you walking along.” “Yeah, I just got out of work.” “Did you?” Julie nodded. “I work at the Cirque de Briller training center.” “Oh, neat,” said Jill. “Would you like to go get a bite to eat at Vito’s, the Italian diner a couple of blocks down from here?” “Sure,” Julie said. “Hop in.” Unable to believe this was happening, Julie ran around to the passenger side, climbed in, and fastened her seatbelt. The vehicle was very comfortable. “This is a really nice SUV you have.” “Thanks,” Jill said with a smile. She pulled out into the mainstream of traffic. “You know, I’ve seen numerous people from the clinic walking about these streets, but I must admit you’re the first I’ve actually picked up.” Julie smiled. “What do you do in the circus?” “A combination of dance and gymnastics,” Julie told her. “Sounds cool. I’ll have to see you perform sometime.” “Ok.” Once seated in the diner, they glanced at the menu, which was written in Italian. “Italian’s similar to Spanish,” said Julie, “and I’ve studied quite a bit of Spanish.” “Think you can read it?” “I probably could pick out a few words here and there, but actually, all I really want is spaghetti.” “The spaghetti here is really good.” “Do you speak Italian, Jill?” “Very little. Are you Hispanic at all?” Julie shook her head. “No, I just wanted to learn the language. I’m just a regular all-American girl of Ashkenazi descent.” “Ah, Jewish?” asked Jill. “No, I’m not really religious at all. Too much structure and rules, you know?” Jill nodded. “I get it.” “I think people should be their own individual selves, and that it’s not really right to tell a group of people how to live. And of course, there’s the good old gay-bashing thing that bothers me. How about you? Do you go to church?” “Not really. I feel a lot like you do, though at the same time, I do believe in God and I am rather religious.” The waitress took their order, then they sat in silence for a moment or two. Jill gazed at Julie as she looked around the room. What a beauty, she thought. Then Julie’s head turned. Her green eyes locked with Jill’s piercing dark ones. Jill smiled. “You know, I really do admire your honesty.” Before Julie could respond, a woman approached their table. It was very obvious that she was a lesbian. She wasn’t just masculine-looking but very plain as well, with dull mud-brown eyes and hair. She was of average height with a chunky figure. Overall, she was quite a contrast to Jill. “Hey, Jill.” Jill’s head turned. “Oh, hey there, Kathy. What’s up?” “Oh, not much. I’m here with Kara.” “Still together?” “Yup. We had a long talk the other night.” Based on Kathy’s masculine appearance and the nature of the discussion unfolding between her and Jill, Julie was all the more hopeful that Jill wasn’t just “being friendly” and that she truly could be as much of a lesbian as she was. Her heartbeat sped up as she anticipated the possibility, though she tried not to get her hopes up. After all, Jill might decide she didn’t like her, even if she was a lesbian and available. “Good,” said Jill before introducing Julie to Kathy. “Oh, what a cutie you’ve got here, Jill. Where’d you meet?” “We just met today at the clinic,” Jill told her. “Oh,” said Kathy. “Does she know?” “Uh,” said Jill, not sure of what to say. “Well…” Kathy turned to Julie. “You don’t have any prejudices, do you, sweetie?” “No ma’am,” Julie said, “I hate everyone equally.” Kathy burst out laughing just as Jill’s hands flew to her face, suddenly red with shock, embarrassment, and a small degree of amusement. “She’s perfect for you,” Kathy insisted, trying to control her laughter. “Just what you need, girl!” “Yeah,” Jill said with hesitancy. “See you both later,” said Kathy as she turned to leave, promising to talk with Jill later. Jill turned to face Julie. “Julie?” “Yes?” “Think maybe you’re a little too honest?” Julie shrugged. “Think you can curb it a bit when others are around?” “I’ll try.” “Thank you. That’d be much appreciated.” “Jill?” “Yes?” “Think maybe you’re a little too serious and that you maybe need to lighten up a bit?” “Maybe.” Julie chuckled, and Jill smiled before shaking her head a few times, unsure of what to make of this unusual character called Julie. “So, have you always been a circus performer?” Jill asked after the two sat in silence for a while. “Pretty much, though I’ve also done some acting and singing. At least I did when I wasn’t on disability.” “What were you on that for? An injury?” asked Jill as she went to reach for sugar for her coffee. “No, I was on it for being crazy.” Jill’s hand froze in mid-air. “Where’s the bathroom?” Julie suddenly asked. Jill’s hand continued reaching for the sugar packet. “Over there,” she motioned with a nod of her head. “Be right back.” Jill nodded. “The toilet’s out of order,” said Julie when she returned and slid into the booth across from Jill. The food had just arrived. “Oh, that’s too bad,” replied Jill. “No problem. I just used the men’s room.” Jill dropped her fork. It clattered to her plate. “What?” asked Julie. “It’s no big deal. I made sure it was empty.” “Well, that’s good, honey, but someone could’ve gone in while you were still in there.” “That’s true. I guess life’s about taking chances, though,” said Julie. Jill tried to hide her smile of amusement. “You’re quite a character, aren’t you?” Julie shrugged. “Sometimes.” She took a bite of her spaghetti. “Mmm, this is good.” “It is,” agreed Jill. “So tell me, is it true what they say about most Italians having a temper?” Jill shrugged. “I guess some of us do, but don’t worry—you’re safe with me.” After the two enjoyed their food for a few minutes, Julie asked, “So, tell me about yourself.” “What do you want to know?” “You from here?” Jill nodded. “What’s your family like?” “They’re good people. I don’t care for my stepdad that much, but my mom’s cool, and my sisters are okay.” “You have sisters?” “Two.” “How old?” “Holly’s twenty-four and Alexis is nineteen. Holly’s married and has a couple of small kids, and Alexis is in college. She’s majoring in criminology.” “Got a last name?” “Morelli.” Each enjoyed their meal in silence for a while, then Jill said, “You sound like you’re from Boston.” “Close,” said Julie. “The other side of the state.” “Any family out here?” “They’re all gone.” “Couldn’t take the California heat, huh?” “No, they couldn’t take the drunk driver that ran their car into a ditch.” Jill’s face dropped. “Oh, I’m so sorry.” “It’s okay. It happened four years ago.” Jill looked at Julie with sympathy. “Any siblings?” Julie shook her head. Jill wasn’t sure what to say next, so she opted to change the subject. “So what brought you out here?” “A plane.” Jill laughed. “No, I mean when, why, that sort of thing.” “I know. I’m just being a smart-ass. I sold my furniture and used the money from that for my ticket out here, since I never did have a good income. Contrary to popular belief, circus performers don’t make much money.” “What made you decide to move?” “I needed a change,” answered Julie. “Was Massachusetts the only place you lived before this?” “Not exactly. We had a summer home in Connecticut. I went to summer camp in Maine for a while, then spent some time in Vermont, visited Florida, Texas, Arizona, county jail, then came here last year.” Again, Jill’s expression took on that of shock. She exhaled a quick breath. “Wait a minute. County jail?” Julie nodded as she sipped her Diet Coke. “Yes, you heard right.” “Mind if I ask about that one?” “I did a few months for assault on a neighbor.” Jill eyed Julie incredulously. “She went to take my mail from my mailbox, and so I just had to break her fingers one by one.” Jill’s eyes roamed over what she could see of Julie’s body from where they sat. “You? As little as you are, you broke her fingers?” “She was my size,” said Julie, as if that explained it all. “Oh,” Jill said with a touch of sarcasm. “Jail was both nothing and everything it is on TV.” “But you survived.” Julie nodded. “I’ve been in worse places.” A flicker of surprise crossed Jill’s face. Then, “What other trouble have you caused?” “Just prank phone calls a long time ago,” answered Julie as the two finished their dinner. “All done?” Jill asked. “Finito.” “Would either of you like dessert?” asked the waitress, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. When both declined, the waitress placed the check on the table and walked off. Julie turned to face Jill, who still appeared rather unsure of what to make of her unusual date—if that’s what it could be called. “It was wonderful. Thanks for taking me here.” “Sure,” said Jill with a hesitant smile. Jill picked up the check. “How much is my share?” asked Julie. “Why don’t you let me do the treating this time around?” “Okay,” said Julie. “I’ll leave the tip.” The two exited the restaurant, surprised at how quickly the sun had begun setting. “Gosh,” said Jill, “I didn’t realize just how long we were in there.” “Time flies when you’re having fun,” said Julie. Jill flashed another hesitant smile, not sure if she’d fully agree that she had “fun.” “I live in the Sandalwood apartment building down on Primrose Ave. It’s only a block away, so I can walk from here if you want.” “No, that’s okay,” said Jill. “It’d be better if I drove you. There are just some chances in life not worth taking—especially when the sun begins to set.” Once in the SUV, Julie pulled out a pen and a small notepad from her purse. On one side, she wrote her name and number. On the other side, she wrote: Loosen up, good looking. Only she wrote it in Spanish to give Jill something to ponder over. They were pulling into the apartment’s parking lot when the vision suddenly came to Julie without warning. Jill was driving away from the building after having dropped her off. A few blocks away, a car ran a red light, heading for the driver’s side of Jill’s SUV. “What?” asked Jill, noticing how shaken up Julie suddenly appeared. She parked the car in front of the building’s entrance. Julie turned to face Jill. “Listen, this is very important. You have to listen very carefully to what I’m about to tell you.” “So tell me.” “If you’re not paying very close attention, you’ll probably be in an accident on the way to your place. It just came to me in a vision.” Jill snorted with disbelief. “Jill, you have to believe me,” Julie pleaded. “I’m serious. Listen to me and do as I tell you, then you can laugh at me and all the other psychics in this world later on, okay?” “Okay, okay, I hear you.” “Good,” said Julie. She tore the piece of paper from her notepad and handed it to Jill. “Have a good night, and thanks for dinner.” “You’re welcome. I’ll sit here till you get inside.” They smiled at each other, then Julie got out and headed for the door. She turned to wave right before she opened it. Jill waved back and took off. Oh, how I hope I see her again! thought Julie.