The Black Dog Part III

It was a slow day at the cafe. The customers were either the nurses or the visitors of the clinics. Jane reminisced about her time in Bali where things seemed to have gotten better. There were dreams, hopes, and life was being kind to her. Another part that she missed the most is her best friend, Anne whom she met while having a mandala art class in Bali. Anne was a blond woman in her 40’s enjoying her life post a rough divorce. They got along over a conversation about coffee and their similar interest to art.

“ You can sell them as art supplies on etsy for sure and all over the place.” told Anne to Jane. She was quite a businesswoman and had the confidence that Jane would never have. The mandala art class was the way for Anne to start her art venture while vagabonding through South east asia. Afterall, Bali is also known as the land for the dreamers. Those who want to make it, come to Bali and build their dream to have a better life from their passion. Jane had an admiration from Anne especially after the divorce, she packed her bag and left for the foreign land. “ It was just something I’ve been meaning to do,” said Anne to Jane.

“ I guess I’d sell stickers for $4,” Jane remarked.

“ Well, to represent emotional responses celebrated or consumed in self loathing” Said Anne abruptly then laughed.

“I will make 10 food design, cakes, pastries, ice cream, you name it”

“ You silly girl!” exclaimed Anne.

Their friendship grows overtime and Anne helped Jane navigate the confusing and harsh life. “ I just don't know how to define myself. Who am I?” asked Jane one time over coffee at their favorite cafe.

“You know how to define yourself. You’re just not willing to do it because it will cost you dearly. And you know it will” replied Anne while sipping her favorite cappuccino.

“I only know I am self-identified as a libertarian and I love theology. But like you said, if I am exposing myself, it will cost me dearly.” Jane thought that was the only identity she could find about herself but much of herself was even a mystery to her. Life was blurry for the last couple of years and the only way she could define herself was only through her political affiliations that shaped the way she chooses to govern herself.

“ That’s a bit shallow isn’t it?” asked Anne as she was intrigued to dig deeper into Jane. “ Here’s the thing Jane, You're like that bright red flower in a desaturated landscape photo.”Jane was lost in thoughts and just nodded to Anne’s words.

Just a few minutes after, Jacob came into the conversation and tapped Jane’s shoulder. She looked into Jacob and held his hand. “ Anne’s here too, I hope you don’t mind.”

“ Well, the more the merrier right? What have y’all been talking about?” asked Jacob.

“ Slices of life, I guess,” replied Jane.

“ Well, you ladies have fun, I am going to grab something to eat and meet up with Andre”

“ Bye Jacob!”

Anne looked at Janes and knew that she was falling head over heels to him. Although just a few days ago, Jane complained about having an existential crisis. Anne knew that Jacob was the reason.

“You have these any time a boy catches your interest and then is critical of your work. You allowed your ex to mock your decision making process. You allowed all these boys in your life to undermine your capabilities. That’s not good Jane”

“ Well but that's just one time Anne. Jacob is the kind of person who tells me that " you can do it, don't think that you can't do it before you even do it " type of guy. That's why I love him.” Jane replied.

Jane was not the type to open up about her life and love life to anyone. Anne was the mother figure she needed, a friend she always hoped to have and a flower that adorns her and entertains her life. She was the know-it-all that Jane needed in her life. It didn’t take a lot of time for her to get so attached. Until the accident happened and Jane had to leave Bali.

Both of them were still in contact but Anne has found a new life which makes their relationship grew further apart. Jane was startled when she heard the bell ring a couple of times.

“ Anyone here?” shouted someone from the counter.
“ Hey, welcome to cafeville, can I help you with something?”

“ I’d like to order one caramel macchiato”

“ Alright, one caramel macchiato coming up!”

Jane observed the man who just walked into the room. He was tall and pale as if he never saw the light of day with a slick haircut. He seemed to look at the clinic nervously but Jane continued making the coffee and eventually rang the bell and put it on the counter.

“ Here’s your coffee”

“ Thanks!”

The man abruptly left and handed Jane the money. The neighborhood around is quite strange with the clinics, the people around, and it made Jane walking on eggshells. She never wanted to be here anymore but she found herself in this hometown, reminiscing about her life and everything she could have had.