We’ll Meet Again Someday

Audra gazed out the back window and into the yard. There was no sign of Riana, who had now been living in the guesthouse for three weeks. Riana’s blinds were open, but the lights were off, so she couldn’t see anything inside the room. Although Audra had managed to keep things as businesslike as possible—only speaking to Riana when necessary—she couldn’t deny that it had been hard. Every time Riana came to clean or to pick up her mail, she longed for more than just the polite “Hello” or “How are you?” and “Goodbye” they exchanged, but she was strict with herself. It was especially hard when she was home alone with no one around to distract her. Riana seemed cheerful and energetic most of the time, but sometimes she appeared sad and worried. Audra was surprised at just how often Riana won something and how well she was doing at saving up money for a new house. Too well. Audra still resented Riana, even though what had happened was so far in the past and had ended up leading her to better things, but she also didn’t like the idea of Riana leaving anytime soon. Just because one tended to slow down sexually with age didn’t mean she still couldn’t appreciate something good-looking when it was around, and she liked having it around. She wanted to know more about Riana, but she also liked the air of mystery that surrounded her, which left a lot to be imagined and wondered about. From what she did know, Riana wasn’t what she expected. Maybe she really had changed a lot over the years. It happened sometimes—especially to those who experienced a lot, both good and bad. Riana still seemed goofy and young at heart, particularly when Emma was around, but she also seemed more confident than Audra remembered her being, and not as easy to manipulate. She’d figured Riana would be moody, insecure, and not very bright, but this wasn’t the case at all. Riana had surprised her just the other day by knowing Spanish fairly well when she got a win notice for a shopping spree at a clothing site run by a Hispanic company. She also had a lovely singing voice and had even had some training when she was younger, singing in clubs for a while. Audra would sometimes hear her singing, both in English and Spanish, when she was out back—either by the pool or on her way to bring in her mail. Emma kept wanting to record Riana singing and playing the piano so she could make videos for her friends at school, but Audra insisted she stay away from her and not distract her from her work when she was cleaning the house. Yet she’d often find the two of them in the pool, and Audra would have to shoo Riana away, reminding her that she’d been in it for over twenty minutes. This would usually be followed by a quick argument, with Riana insisting that she ought to lighten up and “get a grip,” which Emma found amusing and wholeheartedly agreed with. Audra was just about to pull away from the window when she saw someone enter the yard and head for the guesthouse. She’d been beginning to wonder if she’d ever see any visitors, but here was the woman she assumed was Yolanda, Riana’s childhood friend from the east. The woman was just a few inches taller than Riana, with dark blond hair. She had soft features and was casually dressed. Riana, who had obviously been expecting her friend, opened the door and stepped out. So did Audra, but since Riana had her back turned toward her, only her friend noticed. “Hey, how’s it going?” the friend asked just as Audra appeared. “As it usually goes around here,” Riana told her. “Audra loves being a bitch, but she sure looks good while she’s at it. Just why are all the good-looking ones such bitches anyway?” Yolanda laughed and said, “I don’t know, Riana. Why don’t you just turn around and ask her yourself?” Riana spun around to find a disapproving-looking Audra standing behind her, arms folded across her chest. Heat singed her face that had nothing to do with the desert weather, and she wasn’t sure whether she should be more embarrassed or worried. “Maybe your friend can tell me why all the nutty ones have big mouths,” Audra said. Yolanda laughed nervously. “Don’t worry, she’s harmless. I’m Yolanda, by the way.” She extended her hand to Audra. “My friends usually just call me Jess or Yolanda.” Audra took Yolanda’s hand hesitantly, and Riana said, “Your favorite big mouth and her friend are going to the mall. Need anything there?” “No, thank you,” Audra answered. “I just wanted to let you know I’ll need you to clean as early as possible tomorrow morning because we’re going to Sedona and won’t be back until late.” “No problem. Would 10:00 be good?” “Can you make it earlier? Like 8:30?” “8:30 it is, but you’d better be nice to me for getting me out of bed so early.” Audra rolled her eyes, shook her head, and turned to go back inside the house. “See you then,” she muttered as Riana and Yolanda headed around to the front of the house. “I don’t think she hates you,” Yolanda said barely seconds after Audra shut the door. “Hush. Wait till we’re in your car,” Riana said. Once they reached the driveway and got into Yolanda’s car, they pulled out into the street, and the air conditioner turned up high. “If she really hated you that much, why would she let you live on her property?” Yolanda asked. “I think she might even like you.” “What?” Riana asked, shocked. “I don’t know, Ri. It’s just a feeling.” Riana didn’t believe there was any chance that Audra liked her, even though she often spotted Audra staring at the guesthouse when she didn’t know she was aware of it. Either way, she had fun entertaining the thought as she and her friend enjoyed a day of shopping, browsing through stores, and eating in the food court. “It’s so much nicer with you living back there rather than Aunt Hayden,” Emma said the next morning. “Is that who lived there before?” Riana asked as she dusted Emma’s dresser. “Yeah, before she moved to California. She was kind of like Mom, you know?” “Uh-huh,” Riana replied, giving her a knowing look with a wink. “And I’m kind of sick of telling you to stay out of Riana’s way when she’s cleaning,” Audra said, who had a wonderful knack for magically materializing at any given moment. “I just came up to get something,” Emma said defensively. “Well, get it and go on downstairs,” Audra said firmly, casting Riana one of her infamous glares before leaving the room to head downstairs as well. Riana soon finished cleaning and prepared to leave. She had just made her way downstairs when she heard Audra greeting another woman who rang the doorbell. The woman spotted her a second later. “Riana?” “Judith?” “Yes, it’s me.” “Hey, wow! I didn’t know you two were still in touch.” “Oh yeah. Best friends for life.” To Riana, Judith had aged just as horribly as Audra had fabulously. She’d always been heavy and a bit homely-looking, but now she looked awful. She was well over two hundred pounds, her hair looked goofy the way it stuck out in random directions, and she looked older than her years. Riana was a bit surprised that someone like Audra wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen with her—unless, of course, it made Audra all the more appreciative of how well she herself was aging. “We’re going to be leaving soon,” Audra said, turning to gaze down at Riana with an expression that was hard to read. “Okay, well, I’ll be off and out of your way then. Nice seeing you after so long, Judith.” “Nice seeing you too,” Judith said. “Don’t trip over all that hair.” Riana chuckled. “Take care, Riana,” James called out as he stepped out of the downstairs bathroom, and she headed out the back door. “You did a great job, as always.” “Thanks. Have fun today,” Riana said with a smile, returning to the guesthouse.