LOVE ON PAPER

CHAPTER 1

Big dreams.

Patricia wiped her tears with the back of her hand as she hugged her father. She cried bitterly, which formed a pool on the chest of her father. “I will miss you so much dad, you have been the best since the demise of my mother,”

Her father, a faded but warm-spirited middle-aged man embraced her almost protectively. “I will also miss you, sweetie, but you are such a strong independent woman, and you deserve all the happiness California has to offer.”

Patricia stepped away quickly, but her eyes were full of resolution. “You will never see me as a failure again, Dad.’’ She promised, “I will make a fresh start and prove to you that I am capable of starting a new life.”

Her father smiled; his words caught in his throat. ‘’You’re already making me proud, Trish,’’ he said gently encouraging her, ‘’Just be happy and follow your dreams.’’

They headed towards the airport gate and just before they parted ways, Patricia’s father gave her a small envelope. ‘’You never know when or where this will come in handy.’’

Patricia opened the envelope, revealing a check and a note that read: ‘For your dreams kiddo.’ It was from the dad.

She again started tearing up as she tightened her grip around her luggage. ‘’Dad, this is too much!”

Her father just dismissed his hand, shrugged, and said: ‘’take it as graduation bauble and make me proud!’’

Finally, Patricia embraced her father and went out through the gate allowing herself to dream of the future that she would have.

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As Patricia boarded a plane, she felt the desire to be free, gush through her entire being. She was willing to make the bold move to leave her entire life in South Africa, to seek greener pastures.

Little did she know that her life would cross paths with someone that would change her life forever.

The lady beside Patricia on the plane was a friendly, cheerful woman. She smiled at her as she got seated and greeted her.

“Hello, my name is Michelle,” the woman introduced herself, stretching out her hand towards her.

‘’Patricia,’’ she said taking Karen’s hand and shaking it. "Nice to meet you."

The two women began chatting as soon as the plane took off. Michelle responded to Patricia’s question regarding her trip to California. “Oh, you know, work.”

The glint in Patricia’s eyes became visible as she got more excited. She had recently graduated from university and was searching for new opportunities and an exciting adventure. She had always longed to visit the country of her mother’s birth. “Have you ever wanted to live in California?”

Michelle nodded enthusiastically. “You’re going to love it! only Californians can bring a whole new meaning of adventure tourists and new people who eventually like the place, the climate, the culture, and the food so much.’’

Patricia wanted to get more information, and so she leaned forward. “What is expected of me or rather what should I expect? I have never been to the States.’’

Seeing her enthusiasm, Michelle immediately began to passionately detail the many sites and attractions in the state everything from the beautiful coast highway to the colored districts in the city.

With the plane flying higher and higher Patricia began to get more and more enthusiastic. She was doing this – Staring afresh in California!

Michelle gave her a napkin and quickly wrote something on it. ‘’My number, welcome to California! Don’t get so lost in the city, let’s grab a cup of coffee as you settle in, and I’ll take you around to see the real California.’’

Patricia looked at her new friend and smiled metaphorically, ‘wow!’ she said to herself. “Thanks a lot, Michelle, you saved my life with this information.”

The plane began to descend and Patricia glued her eyes to the window; her heart was racing with excitement. ‘’California, here I come!’’

Patricia informed Michelle that she was planning to meet her high school friend Lily, who resides in California.

Michelle's eyes lit up. “Oh, that’s good. At least now the transition will be easier with a friend here. What is Lily like?”

Patricia smiled fondly. “Lily is such a great friend-full of energy, social, and always ready for a road trip. Lily and I were very close friends back in high school.’’

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Lily responds to the text immediately. Patricia arrives at the airport letting her know she is on the way. ‘Hello, sweetheart, I am here! Please find your way to the arrivals section and I will be waiting to come and fetch you.’

Patricia got to the particular area and saw Lily with bright pink hair and a broad smile. They hadn’t seen each other in a long time, but they threw their arms around each other’s necks and cried.

Lily regarded Patricia’s luggage warily, she moved back. “Really? You only brought a small bag? Well, welcome then, let me help you unpack, and then it will be time for us to go to the beach to celebrate your arrival.”

On their way to Lily’s car, Patricia narrated her experience with Michelle on the plane.

Lily's curiosity was piqued. “Wow, that’s nice. Just a few hours and you’ve already made a friend, but wait for the beach!”

Patricia could feel the familiar feeling of belonging tickling her with the sun and the sea breeze as she looked at the horizon. Indeed, she belonged to the city, and it was where she should be – in California, among friends, among opportunities.

Lying on the beach and enjoying the warm sunshine, Lily looked at Patricia and said with a serious look on her face. “Hey sweetheart, I understand that you are in search of a place to live, why not stay at my place for a while before you make your final decision? I have a nice house, and it’s comfortable, and it will be an opportunity for us to talk properly.”

Patricia looked at her friend and her eyes sparkled with gratitude. “Lily, thank you, that is very kind of you, but I have to refuse. I don’t want to be a disturbance.”

Lily scornfully flapped her hand and said: “You’re my best friend! Moreover, it will be fun like the past! We can gossip late into the night.”

Patricia felt a lump rising in her throat; she was moved to tears. ‘’Thank you, Lil,’’ she said softly, ‘’Those words mean a lot to me.’’ she added, ‘‘Don’t worry, I promise not to become a parasite to you.’’

Lily grinned mischievously. “Oh, it’s fine… Now let us go take your belongings and go to my house, a lot of time has been wasted.”

When they got in the car heading to the house where Lily lived, Patricia felt a certain relief coming over her. She was at least sheltered and had Lily by her side, and new words of affection in California.