Wounded Bird Pt. 05

Another few days passed, and still no word from Meredith. No phone call, nothing.

Though her work continued to be the talk of the community art show, her mysterious disappearance was on everybody's mind. The police had been notified, and promptly released notices to the various precincts.

Meridith's vague note did suggest that she knew what she was doing, though her methods bordered on madness. Meanwhile, Amy and her mother, Alison, did their best to provide emotional support for Meredith's mother, Jane, who was understandably consumed by the worst fears. Even Meredith's father seemed genuinely concerned, though Amy could barely conceal her contempt for him.

"The reason Meredith is so messed up is because of her father," Amy explained to Ariadne. But when Ariadne asked 'why' Amy chose not to elaborate.

Ariadne held her tongue. It was a difficult time for her. Her relationship with Amy seemed stuck in neutral, and while she couldn't help feeling jealous of Amy's closeness to Meredith, Meredith's disappearance did concern her. She hoped Meredith was okay, even though she found her to be a little strange.

Ariadne knew that in a few weeks, she'd be heading off to school, and it was unlikely that Amy would be joining her. And while it saddened her, she was extremely jazzed at the prospect of living a life in the way she wanted. Regardless of what happened between her and Amy, she'd at least be able to control her own destiny.

Ariadne was a sharp young woman, and had already begun mapping out her path. One evening over the phone, she explained to a distracted Amy.

"I've already talked to a couple of my math instructors and they think if I keep acing my work, I might be able to get a partial scholarship and some paid internships."

"That's great, Ari." Amy had to admit, her Greek-American girlfriend was clever. Brief trysts with Ariadne and Meredith had convinced Amy that she liked being intimate with those of her own sex. But setting up with Ari seemed unwise. Amy wanted more time to get comfortable in her skin. Still, too many questions.

"Are your parents paying for your housing?" Amy asked Ariadne.

"Yes, and I know where you're going with that. If they're paying, then they'll want to control who I room with."

"Well, if guys are out, and girls are out, what's left?" Amy pressed her friend.

"Of course, they'd probably prefer I roomed alone, but it's too pricey, so they'll allow for me to room with another girl. And since it's not going to be you, it should be okay."

"But they know you like girls, don't they?"

"Not really. I think I've done a pretty good job of downplaying that. And it's not like she caught us having sex!" Ariadne argued.

"Yeah, but were naked in bed together," Amy added with a roll of her eyes.

"She says we looked too cozy to be just sleeping."

Amy laughed.

"Yeah, I know. I keep telling her that she's making far too much of this, but since they're paying for my tuition, I have to be very nice. Anyway, I've agreed not to see you for a while."

"So, I'm taking the fall," Amy winced.

"Hey, I'm the one who's in deep shit, not you. Once I secure scholarship money, I won't have to rely on them so much. Definitely, not possible my first year."

"And that's it?" Amy asked.

"I did tell them that I like guys, and plan to date them. Mainly so they'll allow me some breathing space. Having them constantly checking up on me is driving me fucking nuts."

"What are going to do, find a boyfriend?" Amy asked, resisting the urge to laugh at the absurdity of it.

"Pretty much. There's this guy, Martin, in my science class who wanted to date me until I told him I was into girls. He's super sweet, so I've asked him if he'd be willing to be my cover, you know, pretend he's my boyfriend, to throw my parents off the scent."

"Come on, Ari, he's probably hoping you'll date him," Amy noted, skeptically.

"No, he isn't. He's just helping me out. And he's attending an out-of-state college, so we don't have to see each other during the school year."

Amy was dubious. This was the type of deception Meredith might consider. Not Ari.

"It'll be fine. I'll invite him over for dinner and it will be awkward and embarrassing, but he'll get to enjoy my mom's cooking, and get to swim in the pool."

"And see you in that hot bikini," Amy noted in a suggestive tone.

"Not with the parents around. Oh Amy, there will come a time when I will be free of all this."

"I sure hope so," Amy agreed.

Ari was definitely determined, and she had to admit, the girl meant business. Even so, Amy and Ari needed to have some serious conversations before Ari headed off to school, of only to put Ari's mind at ease. She loved Ari, and would be devastated if she lost her friendship.

And where in the heck was Meredith? Despite everyone's growing concerns, particularly Meredith's mother, Amy held out hope. For reasons she couldn't explain, she believed that Meredith was fine. "She's going to call," Amy repeated, as her daily mantra.

Amy refused to imagine the worst. Ari was right; it was just like Meredith to disappear without letting others know what she was up to. Though why drop out of sight during the middle of a successful art show? It made no sense. She was doing well, wasn't she? And hadn't Amy stood by her side when she'd been asked to?

Jane was sure that Meredith had taken her passport, and had the police run some flight checks. Amy mentioned the man they had seen talking to Meredith at the show, and they were checking to see who he was. Amy kicked herself for not paying more attention. She had only glanced at the man's card and then given it back to Meredith.

"This is not like her," Meredith's mother, Jane insisted. "She's always been good about calling me."

Amy wondered just how true that statement was, considering that Meredith had kept her father's advances hidden from her mother, and did do a fair amount of sneaking about to avoid detection.

"I swear," Amy fumed to herself. "If she somewhere having fun, I'll never forgive her."

At the end of the week, the show closed, and Amy and Ariadne agreed to help staff strike Meredith's artwork and see that it got home safely.

As Amy and Ariadne moved the works into Meredith's makeshift studio, Amy had an urge to keep close to her Meredith's 'Plummeting Bird' painting. There was something about it that reminded Amy of Meredith. In that image, Amy gleaned her connection to Meredith, almost as if that bird WAS Meredith.

Amy finally gathered the nerve to ask Meredith's mother, "Would it be alright if I held on to this drawing for a bit?" She held up the painting in question.

"I'd really like to have something of Meredith's to help me stay connected to her," she explained. "Only until she returns," she added, feeling the need to keep alive Jane's hopes.

Jane knew exactly where Amy was coming from. "Please, take it home with you. I know Meredith cares about you. You've been such a good friend to her. Hopefully, we'll hear from her soon."

"I know she's alright," Amy assured Jane. "Just thoughtless at times."

Jane managed a wan smile. She felt tired and was doing her best to stay upbeat. It's not quite clear when things took a turn for the worse, but about the time the art show was coming down, Jane began to feel poorly.

"Jane, I'm concerned about you," Alison had said to her one day. "You need to eat more. You seem awfully thin and pale. Are you sure, you're alright?"

Alison assumed it was due to Jane's anxiety over Meredith's disappearance. But she thought it best to take Jane to see a medical specialist. A series of tests revealed that Jane had an advanced stage of cancer. It was a terrible shock to everyone. Based on the medical options, it was decided that Jane begin a regimen of chemo, though the treatment would be harsh.

Entering the second week of Meredith's disappearance, Jane took to her bed, and Amy and her Alison assumed the roles of caretaker. Amy was starting to contemplate the possibility of Meredith's mother dying without her ever knowing of Meredith's fate. This realization gnawed at her constantly.

Meanwhile, Ariadne was doing her best to keep her parents at bay. She spent dreary sessions with her priest, listening to his lectures on sin and God's will. And she went out of her way to avoid Amy. The worst was having her mother grill her on her sessions with the priest. Of course, Ariadne pleaded client confidentiality, and assured her mother that the sessions were helping her 'get a better perspective,' was how she put it.

Meanwhile, her brothers continued to make fun of Ariadne's sexual orientation, which only served to further cement her disgust toward her family.

It had now been ten days since Meredith went AWOL and not a single phone call from her. And with Meredith's mother weakening, Amy could barely concentrate at school, let alone on her friendship with Ariadne. Amy would have loved to talk with Ari about Meredith, but she knew that the subject would not be well received. Anytime Meredith's name came up, Ari turned prickly

Ariadne knew that Meredith's disappearance was serious, and that Amy was upset about it, and yet she couldn't help but feel jealous. Ariadne never felt comfortable with Meredith the way Amy did, and she couldn't ignore that Amy had feelings for Meredith that ran deeper than Amy was willing to admit.

=============

"Thanks Amy," Jane said weakly as Amy plumped Jane's pillow after having helped her with her toilet.

Amy was taking shifts with her mother, mostly supporting the instructions laid out by the nurse as well as assisting Jane with asundry needs. Jane was looking poorly, having just received another dose of chemo.

"Any news?" Jane asked. Amy could see the glimmer of hope flickering within Jane's dull eyes.

Amy shook her head. "Not yet, but I've a feeling she's going to show any day now," Amy assured Jane. Of course, there was no proof of that, but it always helped to stay positive.

It was difficult for Amy to see Jane withering before her eyes. And it killed her that Meredith wasn't there to ease her mother's worry, and provide comfort for her. Being sick while worrying about the whereabouts of one's only child seemed too much for anyone to bear. Sometimes, Amy felt so angry toward Meredith that she would curse the heavens, and other times, she'd simply weep for the loss of her friend.

During Amy's visits, when Jane was feeling up to it, she would reminisce about Meredith and her upbringing and Amy would enjoy hearing the stories, though Jane also talked to Amy about Meredith's sudden mood shifts and her emotional challenges. However, Jane never went into much detail when it came to Meredith's father, and Amy didn't either. But it was always lurking in the background.

"Amy..." Jane began as she lay propped up on pillows in the hospital bed that they'd had for her to use at home. "Meredith has always valued your friendship. I know she can be difficult at times, but you are very important to her. If I never get to see her again, will you promise to check in with her from time to time, and make sure she is doing well? Just a call, is all..."

"Of course, I will," Amy promised. "But you are going to see her again."

Later, when she was alone, she again cursed the situation. "Dammit, Meredith, pick up a fucking phone and call!"

============

That Saturday marked ten days since Meredith's disappearance. Amy was at home reading a book for one of her college courses, when her phone chimed. Her father was watching television, and her mother was next door looking after Jane.

Amy didn't recognize the caller, and was about to ignore it when a strange thought occurred to her. She answered the call.

"Hello?" Amy said softly into the phone.

"Hey."

Amy's body broke out in a cold sweat. She recognized Meredith's voice in an instant.

"Meredith, where the hell are you?" Amy avoided swearing as her father was in the room at the time, and had perked up instantly at the mention of Meredith's name.

"I'm in Stanton," came a voice over the phone. "I'm at the Jump & Jive café near Memorial Park. This girl's letting me use her phone to call you. Can you come get me?"

"Of course, I'll come get you," Amy answered without a moment's hesitation. "Are you okay? Is everything alright?" she asked. "Do I need to bring anything?"

"No, I'm fine. Just come get me, okay?" came Meredith's simple request.

"Stay right where you are, I'm on my way," Amy replied, disconnecting from the call. She was still trying to get her head around the fact she was talking to Meredith, when her father asked her what was up.

She explained to him that Meredith was at a downtown coffee shop and she would drive into the city and pick her up. Her heart was pounding so hard and fast, she thought she might pass out from the surge of energy coursing through her body. She had so many questions, but this was not the time for that. She'd deal with that later.

Of course, her father was just as surprised as Amy that Meredith had turned up, and he questioned her decision to drive into town alone. "I can call her a cab," he suggested.

But Amy was adamant. "No, I want to get her."

"Shall I drive in with you?" her father offered.

"Dad, I'll be okay. It's not that far a drive, and if anything comes up, I promise to call."

"Alright, I'll let your mother know the good news," he said. Alison was next door looking after Jane.

With a kiss, Amy grabbed her keys and raced out to her car. Her palms were sweating, and her was mind racing a mile a minute as she drove toward the coffee shop. She kept feeling this surge of anger, followed by hurt that her friend could so easily disappear without any word whatsoever. But she didn't have the full story yet, and needed to keep her emotions in check until she learned from Meredith all that had happened. Meredith may have been in trouble all this time.

"Thank goodness, she's alright," she sighed, as her anger gave way to feelings of relief that her friend was home and safe.

As Amy pulled up outside the cafe, she saw Meredith sitting out front at a table nursing a ceramic coffee cup. When she saw Amy's car, she set the cup down, picked up her satchel and made her way over to the car. As she approached, Amy could see that her posture was slightly hunched, and despite the crooked smile, she looked gaunt and tired.

Meredith tossed her satchel in the back and hopped into the front seat. She reached over and hugged Amy so hard it hurt. "Thanks!" she exclaimed as she buckled herself in.

Amy said nothing in reply.

On the ride back, neither girl uttered a word, friendly or otherwise. Amy was struggling to corral her emotions, and Meredith alternated between looks out the window and furtive glances over at Amy to read what was going on in her friend's head. Amy was a sweetheart, but under the circumstances, Meredith suspected she was in for some hostility, and deservedly so.

Amy finally broke the silence. "You've got a lot of explaining to do," she said under her breath. "Where in the hell have you been? Everyone thought you were dead in a ditch somewhere. Do you know what it's like to think someone you care about might be dead, and you don't even know if they are?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to freak everyone out."

"Really? Oh, I'll just disappear for a while and they'll understand. No reason to be concerned."

Meredith stared back out the window. After a moment, she chuckled awkwardly. "You really thought I was dead?"

This set Amy off. "What were we supposed to think? How was I to know you were fine, and that you simply decided to blow everyone off?"

"I didn't blow every--!" Amy barreled right past Meredith's faint objection.

"When someone skips town and doesn't have the decency to call and let people know where she is, people assume the worst. I mean, shit, you walked away from your art show and school, and didn't bother to say a word to anybody!"

"Is the art show over?"

"What do you think? We took all your stuff down and got it home for you, no thanks to you."

"Thanks."

"Your mom has the police looking for you, idiot! She's been wracked with worry. We all have!"

Meredith pressed herself against the door. "I know I should have called and let everyone know I was okay. I wanted to. I should have, and I didn't. Things got sort of messed up, and I tried to handle it on my own. I'm sorry. I fucked up..."

"Yeah, you fucked up." They drove in silence for a while before Amy spoke. "Have you been here in town all this time?"

"No, I got in last night. I was in Barcelona."

Amy's jaw dropped. "Barcelona, Spain?"

"Is there another Barcelona?" Meredith joked. But Amy didn't find it the least funny, and after a tense moment, Meredith continued. "Remember that guy I met at the art show? Well, his name is Mateo, and he owns a gallery in Barcelona. He said I could be successful over there. He said, that the European market..."

"You flew to Barcelona with a guy you don't even know, so you can be an artist? In the middle of a show without so much as a 'see you later'? Jesus, Meredith... What is wrong with you!?"

"Lots," came Meredith's terse reply. There was another blanket of silence, until Meredith began to talk. "Amy, he flew me there. It didn't cost me a penny. Oh, I wished you could have been with me. That city is amazing. I knew I was taking a big risk, but he really got what I was doing, Amy, and he was convinced I could be successful over there. I liked him. And I believed him."

"Of course, you did. So, let me guess. It didn't quite go as you thought."

"No..."

"You slept with him, didn't you?" Amy pressed.

Meredith didn't answer. She just stared out the window at the moving scenery. Amy snorted with derision. Amy had no doubt Meredith slept with the guy, and it angered her. A palpable silence enveloped the girls, as Amy drove on, coralling her anger as best she could.

"For the record, I did not sleep with him!"

Amy didn't answer. After a few more moments of silence, Meredith began talking.

"After one of the shows, he asked me to dinner and I wanted to pick his brain about the European art scene. He really liked my work, Amy. He said I was very gifted..."

"Of course, he did," Amy huffed.

Meredith ignored her friend's snarky remarks, and went on with her story. "He then asked me to fly to Barcelona with him. I told him I couldn't just up and leave, but he said he was flying back the next day, and had a spare ticket. He told me about this studio I could use, and how I could stay with him--I know, I know! I was being reckless, but I had this feeling that this was some sort of message for me. If I didn't go, I'd never know. What the fuck, I have no use for school! It all happened so fast. I figured I'd leave a note and call mom once I got over there."

"So much for calling."

"Yeah, that never happened. And yes, he did want to sleep with me. So, we become lovers, or friends, whatever! I'd be a painter in Europe, sell my work in his gallery... I had to make a quick decision, and I knew I would never get permission from Mom...."

"No shit!" Amy huffed. "Look, Meredith.... your mom is..."

"Yeah, I know, she's going to kill me. But I'm not going back to school. I won't. I'm done with school. Finito!"

"Meredith..."

"Anyway, I packed a few clothes, my passport, took some cash, and that was it. I was on my way to Barcelona. Oh, Amy! When the plane was landing, I could barely contain myself. And when we were in the taxi, Mateo was pointing out the city to me, and the sky was this pure cerulean blue, Amy. And there was a crazy mix of new buildings right alongside old stone ones... artists painting and drawing on the streets... just so many people, nothing like here at home..."

Meredith started to tear up, and stopped talking. Amy was moved by Meredith's descriptions. She could feel the hope in her heart. But it was all so... selfish. So easy for her to leave her home, and her friends.

"I was going to call home as soon as I got there, and tell Mom that I was in Barcelona for a while and that I was going to make a go of it as an artist... You know, ask for forgiveness, not permission. But as soon as we got to Mateo's apartment, things got weird...."

Amy didn't know what to say. Instead, she gave Meredith that look you give a person when you need more to go on.

"Turns out he was living with a woman. Francesca. He never mentioned that little tidbit to me." Meredith took a moment to process. "Naturally, Francesca was not happy to see me. They started arguing, and then she started throwing things at him! I felt like I was in some foreign movie." Meredith laughed as she recalled the scene. "It was getting intense so I grabbed my things, left the apartment and walked around for a while, figuring I could do a little sight seeing and then get to the airport on my own, and wire for some money to get home..."

Meredith suddenly put her head in her hands, as if she were trying to keep her head from exploding. "But then I stopped at a street-side restaurant to get something to eat--I was so hungry--and while I was there, my fucking bag was stolen!"

"You're kidding..." Amy was totally gripped by Meredith's tale.

"There wasn't much in it, other than my clothes, and my wallet with all my money."

"What about your credit cards?"

Meredith gave a short laugh. "Credit cards? Give me a break. Luckily, my passport was in my front pants pocket. So, they didn't get that. Dad once told me, 'Keep your passport close to your body, Honey. If they take that from you, you're probably dead, anyway.' "

"Some people tried to help me, but their English wasn't too good, so I made my way back to Mateo and Francesca's place. If they didn't let me back in, I didn't know what I was going to do. Find the US embassy, I guess. I bought some lunch--bad idea--and went back to their place. When I got there, Mateo wasn't home, so Francesca let me in. When she heard my sob story, she felt bad for me, and agreed to let me stay with them until I could get a flight home."

"Why didn't you call? Didn't they have a phone?" Amy asked, with a shake of her head.

"Yes, and Francesa was going to make the call for me, but that's when I started to feel ill. Like really sick. Before I knew it, I was so sick, I thought I was going to die."

Meredith's mention of dying reminded Amy of Jane's situation, but Meredith was in the middle of her tale.

"I think it was that lunch I had, but I swear, I'd never felt that bad in my life. I was throwing up so much, I couldn't get out of bed, I was so weak. Anyway, Francesa looked after me. I was going to call, Amy, but I wanted to get better first. I didn't want everybody freaking out. I was going to call, Amy. I was!"

"Jeeze, Meredith, you should have called. Did she at least take you to see a doctor?"

"No. Francesca was pretty sure it was food poisoning, and said the best thing was to let it work through my system. She fed me soup and kept me warm. She actually turned out to be nice, for which I'm grateful, since she didn't want me there in the first place. She was furious with Mateo, and they kept arguing over him paying for my return flight. I basically was a hostage, living on this pullout bed, until he finally got me a flight home."

Meredith's tale was too much to take in. Amy needed a break. "Well, I'm glad you're safe."

"Thanks. Me too," Meredith answered, still looking out the side window. She decided that she'd rambled on long enough and stared out the passenger window.

Amy decided to change the subject. "I asked your mom if I could have the drawing you did of the falling bird," Amy told her friend. "Just until you got back."

"The falling bird...? Oh yeah. You really like that one, huh?"

Meredith's smile made Amy's insides flutter, and her anger subsided some. "Yeah," Amy answered with a sweet smile of her own.

All Amy knew is that by some miracle, Meredith was home and safe. They were nearing home, and Amy felt it was time. "Look, Meredith, I know you've been through a lot, and you're probably exhausted, but you need to know that your mother's not well."

"What do you mean she's not well?" Meredith's whole demeanor changed. Amy knew this was not going to be easy.

"She has cancer, Meredith."

"Cancer? How bad is it?"

"Pretty bad. She's at home, and there's a nurse who comes by every now and then to check on her, but mostly, my mom and I have been looking after her."

Meredith's head dropped into her hands, and Amy could hear her breathing heavily. "I'm just glad you got home in time to see her. She is going to be so happy to see you," Amy noted in an upbeat voice. "Seeing you and knowing you're safe is going to really lift her spirits."

Meredith suddenly burst into tears, banged her fist on the dash and cried all the way back to the house. Amy pulled into the drive, but before she had a chance to turn off the car, Meredith jumped out of the car and made for her house.

She burst through the front door and found Amy's mother sitting on the sofa. "Where's my mom?"

Before Alison could even respond, Meredith dashed into her mother's bedroom to find her mom in bed, propped up by pillows. She stopped dead at the sight of the walker and the IV bottle.

=============

For the next couple of weeks, Meredith rarely left her mother's side. Other than visits from the nurse, Meredith assumed all primary care from her neighbors. During this time, she didn't bother going to classes. This upset Jane, but her daughter was adamant. Amy didn't think much of it. She had pretty much reached the conclusion that Meredith wasn't meant for school.

"I should have been here," Meredith said to Amy's mother, one evening, after her own mother had slipped off into a deep sleep.

"It wouldn't have changed anything," Alison assured her. "Your mother has been ill for some time. It started well before you went to Europe."

"It's not just that I was away, it's that I've always been so selfish. If I'd thought more about my mom instead of myself, I might have noticed that she wasn't well."

"Meredith, that's not very likely. Please don't beat yourself up over this. What's important is that you're here. That means everything to your mother. Just focus on giving her all the love you can."

"I will," Meredith replied.

Mrs. Calvano's words did ease some of Meredith's pain, though she knew on some deep level that she failed not only her mother, but Amy as well. Her friend's feelings of betrayal still nagged at her. How Meredith wished she could undo that damage.

Over the next couple of weeks, Meredith rarely left her mother's side. Amy would drop by to keep her friend company and every now and then would encourage Meredith to get out of the house. "Let's go on a hike and get some fresh air."

"I'm not ready for that," Meredith would pout.

"You need an outlet, Meredith," Amy insisted. "At least throw some paint on a canvas or something. Feed your soul. It needs nourishment."

While at school, Amy spoke with her art teacher about Meredith's art, and even showed the teacher photos of some of her pieces.

The teacher was impressed and put Amy in contact with Renee Corcoran. Renee ran a local art gallery in the west end. Amy called Renee, and did her best to convince the gallery owner to consider her friend's work. After viewing some of Meredith's works that were posted on a website, Renee offered to meet this young talent.

And so, Amy let Meredith know that she had somebody interested in meeting her to discuss her work. Amy knew that Meredith spent every hour she wasn't painting looking after her mother. But despite Meredith's best efforts, her mother took a turn for the worse. Amy and Alison, as well as a nurse were providing round-the-clock care. As for Meredith, she simply fell apart. The poor girl was a basket case, and any prospect of meeting Renee was impossible.

The only thing that mattered to Meredith was looking after her mother. Amy used her time away from classes to comfort Meredith, and Alison worked with an attorney to ensure that Jane's Will and Directive, as well as her finances were all in order. With Alison's help, Jane got the bank accounts and the house put in Meredith's name.

With the money from her mother's trust fund, Meredith could afford to go to college. But she had no intentions of doing so. All Meredith wanted was to hide in her studio. It was a routine she'd adopted ever since arriving home to care for her dying mother, and in a way, provided the perfect alibi for avoiding school altogether.

Amy understood Meredith's wish to cloister herself. But Ariadne wasn't so sympathetic.

"It's so like Meredith to arrange it to her advantage," Ariadne noted one evening while visiting the Calvano's.

The girls were sitting side by side on Amy's bed, catching up on their school reading. Ariadne was supposed to be out with her 'boyfriend' Martin, who had joined the Petrakis for dinner. But the strategy was for Martin to drop Ariadne off at Amy's or some other place, with the plan of picking her up later and taking her back home.

"Her heart's broken, Ari. Her mom's dying. She still can't forgive herself for not being home, though she has no one to blame but herself."

"Looks like this time, it backfired on her," Ariadne noted, feeling that maybe karma does exist.

===========

About a week later, Amy dropped by the Addison home to relieve her mother and check in on Meredith. As soon as she entered, she confronted her mother's strickened face. In the background she could hear primal sobs coming from the bedroom.

Jane's death brought a halt to all of Amy's plans. Her dear friend Meredith had lost her mother and was now in the pits of despair. One could see it as a nervous break-down. Of course, the house was now Meredith's. That, and some of her mother's trust fund so Meredith was pretty well set for a while. As for the service and funeral, Meredith's father graciously offered to cover the expenses.

The fall school year was fast approaching, and Ariadne was heading off to school. Amy was already enrolled at the local college and it was clear that the two friends would be parting ways.

And with Amy fully invested in Meredith's mental health, there was no emotional space in her heart for Ariadne. And so, Ariadne decided to make one last attempt to reconnect.

It was a cool fall day when Ariadne swung by the Addison home. She had tried to reach Amy by phone, but Amy was in class at the local college. And so, Ari decided to check in on Meredith. Maybe Meredith could shed some light on Amy's state of mind.

Ariadne rang the front doorbell and knocked loudly for several minutes. But there was no answer. As she made for her car, she heard the front door open.

She turned back, and there was Meredith, leaning against the door frame, looking thin and pale as a ghost. In her hand was a cigarette, and a glass of wine. "Hey. Sorry, I didn't hear you."

Ariadne knew that wasn't true, but let it slide. "No worries. I just wanted to say goodbye before I headed off to school. And I wanted to say that I'm sorry about your mom. I never got to really tell you that."

Meredith winced. "Thanks."

"How are you coping?" Ari asked awkwardly.

Meredith shrugged. "Better. But I still miss my mother."

"I bet you do. She was a fine lady. Are you painting?"

Meredith nodded. "A little bit. Mostly shit, but...."

"I refuse to believe that. You're an amazing artist. And I'm sure being creative helps channel all those feelings and emotions. I know it does for me."

Meredith smiled. Ariadne was doing her best to be kind. "Yeah, it's definitely helping." After a few awkward moments of silence, "You want to come in and visit?"

"Uh, I can't stay too long. I need to pack up for the drive back to school. Give my regards to Amy if you see her, okay? I hear she's been looking after you."

"Yeah, she and her mother have been a godsend." Meredith's eyes narrowed. She made her way toward Ariadne who was still by the car. She stopped a few feet away.

"Ari, I know you wanted things to work out with Amy, but she's not what you need right now. Once you get to the university, a whole new world is going to open up for you. Just give it some time. You're going to be much better off. You'll see. There are going to be so many girls falling for you, you won't know what to do with 'em all."

Ariadne laughed. Meredith's words were a balm to her aching heart.

"I mean it, Ari. You're a real catch. You're smart and beautiful and confident. Damn, girl, you have your whole life ahead of you."

"So do you," Ari managed to interject.

Meredith winced again. "It hasn't felt like it."

"Well, you do. And you have people who care for you."

Meredith knew who Ari was referring to, and responded as tactfully as she could. "Yes, Amy cares for me, and I care for her. But we're just friends, Ari. Maybe she wants more from me, and maybe she doesn't. But it doesn't matter because when it comes down to it, I'm not good at being there for others. At some point, I'm going to disappoint her. Just as she has disappointed you. Now go get your mind blown."

Ariadne was stunned by all that Meredith had just told her. It was tough love, but coming from a place of compassion, and that's not something Ariadne would have expected from her.

Ariadne walked up to Meredith and gave her a long, meaningful hug. The hug lingered as both girls had much to gain from it. Finally, breaking the hug, Ari looked into Meredith's eyes.

"Take care of yourself," she said before turning and making for her car.

"I will. See you in the Spring."

Meredith gave her trademark finger wave as Ariadne pulled out of the drive and headed home to pack. As she made the drive, she mulled over all that Meredith had said. She could not deny that there was a ring of truth in what she'd said. And to Ariadne's surprise, she suddenly felt much better, as if a great weight had been removed.

============

Thanks to Amy's continued prodding, as well as several trips to the art store, Meredith began to set up her home studio to her liking, and despite her fragile state, started to paint again. She purchased new paints, an easel and some canvas.

Painting was just what Meredith needed. At times, her work was mindless and sloppy. At others, purposefully delicate and fussy, but regardless of her frame of mind or her mood, there was no one there to criticize her decision making or pass judgment on her choice of subject.

The weeks passed and Meredith gradually pulled herself out of her depression. With no interest in college, Meredith's life was consumed by her art. Amy's constant urging had worked. Meredith was now painting with purpose, intention, and even joy.

Finding a Gallery

"Meredith, you can't accept Mrs. Petrakis' offer. She's a terrible woman, and you know how miserable they've made Ari's life. She doesn't deserve you."

Meredith took a deep breath. Amy could see her wrestling with the moral dilemma that had been presented. "Patrons don't grow on trees, Amy."

"We'll find somebody!"

"We? So, you're my manager now?"

"Sure. How hard can it be?" she joked. "Seriously, I'm a quick learner, and pretty determined when I have to be. The first thing I'm going to do is talk to my Art Department at the college. I bet some of the instructors know people in the business..."

Meredith gave Amy's shoulder a playful shove. "So how much commission do you want, now that you're representing me?"

Amy felt a blush creep over her face. "Oh, let's not get ahead of ourselves. We can work all that out later, when I've actually done something. Maybe a few back rubs, or just being a friend to me, that would be a good start."

"Haven't I been a friend to you?" As soon as the words left Meredith's mouth, she wished she could have them back. The truth was, Meredith hadn't been much of a friend to Amy. As far back as she could remember, Amy had been doing all the giving and Meredith, all the taking.

But Amy let it slide. "Of course, you have."

Meredith forced a grin.

"And you can trust me," Amy assured Meredith. "I would never take advantage of you the way some people have."

The subtle jabs at Mateo and her father did not go unnoticed by Meredith. And it was embarrasing to be reminded of her reckless decision to run off to Spain, but it was her turn to let it slide.

"I do trust you," Meredith told Amy, the sincerity evident in her voice. "You've always been there for me. And I want to be there for you, too. You're just going to have to be patient with me. I haven't done well when it comes to being there for others."

"You'll get better at it," Amy cheerily replied.

"I want to. I know how unreliable I can be, and that I anger and frustrate you, but you've never turned your back on me. And having you there for me when mom..." Meredith felt her throat clench. She drew a deep breath, then broke down and began to cry.

Amy, put her arm around Meredith and pulled her close.

=========

It took a while, but eventually Amy was able to convince Meredith to accept a visit from Renee Corcoran, who was the director and founder of the Corcoran Gallery. This was the person that Amy's art teacher had recommended she contact. Having seen some of Meredith's work posted online, Renee agreed to visit with the aspiring young painter at her home.

The day finally arrived, and Amy and Renee stood upon Meredith's front door stoop waiting for somebody, hopefully Meredith, to answer the door.

Amy urgently rang the bell for the third time. "I know she's in there," Amy told Renee as they stood on the porch of the Addison home. Amy took out her phone and texted her friend.

"Hey, we're out front!!!"

Eventually, they heard footsteps and the front door opened. Meredith was wearing faded jeans and a loose top. Both articles were splattered with colors of paint, as was Meredith's right arm.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Meredith shyly apologized. "Come on in."

"Meredith, this is Renee."

"It's nice to finally meet you, Meredith. I hope you don't mind us dropping by? I really wanted to meet you and see what wonderful things you're turning out?"

"Sure, come on it," Meredith smiled.

The studio was fairly new, and made possible by the money left to Meredith in her mother's will. With Amy's prodding and assistance, the girls discussed what was needed, and tracked down the necessary materials for the space, including some new ceiling lights and a fan.

Amy had to laugh when they entered the back room. Despite being a fairly new setup, the room was already in disarray. Used rags were strewn about the floor, and rolls of canvas and other materials were haphazardly lying about as well. And there seemed to be lots of splattered paint.

Suppressing an urge to tidy up the room, Amy took this mess as a good sign that her friend's creativity was operating at full tilt.

The meeting with Renee Corcoran went swimmingly. Sensing the importance of the visit, Meredith did her best to explain her process and talk about what was behind some of her imagery. At times, it was too technical for Amy to follow, but there was also a break and the pouring of wine.

To Amy, it seemed that Meredith was producing her best stuff. She knew of her friend's struggles, and could easily see them at play in the crazy color palettes and fantastical landscapes. There were even some collages, which was new territory for Meredith. Painted canvasses now included pieces of fabric as well as objects found outdoors or in the neighborhood second-hand shops.

But regardless of what Amy thought of the pieces, it was Renee's opinion that mattered most and she clearly liked what she saw.

"Now, I can't make any promises just yet, but I am starting to map out the Spring schedule, and I'm very keen on showing some of this work."

A showing of Meredith's work at her gallery was now close to becoming reality, and the girls silently exchanged happy looks.

============

That evening, while at home studying, Amy got a call. "Hey, can you come for dinner this evening? I'm cooking some pasta with chicken. Also, made a salad."

"Hey Mom, Dad, I'm going to have dinner with Meredith."

"How's she doing?" Alison asked her daughter.

"Much better. She's churning out stuff like gangbusters, and it is really good stuff. She may actually get a show this Spring at the Corcoran Gallery."

And so, Amy made her way next door to join her friend for dinner. When she stepped into the living area, she thought she'd entered the wrong house. The dining room table had been covered with a white cloth, and the table had been set with plates, silverware and glasses, for two. There was an opened bottle of red wine and two lit candles to provide ambience.

A wonderful smell was coming from the kitchen, and as Amy entered, she could hear Meredith humming softly.

"Hey, Michaelangelo," Amy called out.

"Come on in!"

In the kitchen, Meredith was busily stirring something on the stove. She was wearing an apron. "Okay, who are you, and what have you done with Meredith?"

Meredith laughed. "Yeah, I know. Not what you normally expect from me. But don't get too excited. It's a very simple sauce."

"It smells great. Anything I can do to help?"

"You could pour some wine into the glasses."

Amy went out to the table and poured the wine just as Meredith came out with a bowl of salad, and returned later with a second bowl of red sauce. "This sauce is for the pasta," she explained.

The girls raised their glasses and clinked them gently. "What do we toast?" Amy asked.

"You," Meredith said. "This dinner is my small way of thanking you for all that you've done for my mother, God rest her soul, and for me, who can be a royal pain in the ass. You are so caring, and kind, and I love you."

Amy took a swallow. "I love you too."

"Honestly, for the longest time I've refused to believe I deserved such a friend as you. But I no longer feel that way. I more than deserve you. In fact, I think we make a great team."

Doing her best to keep her emotions in check, Amy gave a cheerful, "I'll drink to that," and took a sip. "Mmm, this is good," she noted, smacking her lips.

"Believe it or not, I learned quite a bit about wines from my father. I suppose he did have a few good qualities. I mean, why else would my mother have married him?" At the mention of her mother, Meredith wiped away a tear. "Oh, why did I go there? Okay, lets eat!"

During dinner, the girls talked about Meredith landing a show with Renee's gallery, then a little bit about Amy's studies. After a bit, she started to reminisce.

"You know what really eats at me," Meredith sighed. "Is how I treated Mom when I was younger. I was such a fan of Dad that I always took his side against her and now that I know what she put up with, I feel horrible."

"You were young. It's easy to see the power he has over you. It must have been quite easy for him to manipulate you."

"Before she died, I apologized to her many times for how I treated her. I didn't want her going to her grave thinking that I, in any way, loved Dad more than I did her."

"She knows you loved her. Damn, Meredith, you waited on her every single day, right up until she passed. Believe me, your mother left this world knowing that you cared for her. You made her last days easier."

"Thanks, that means a lot to me," Meredith sniffled. "Amy, I've never had a friend who knew me as well as you do. I realize that I miss it when you're not around. The truth is, other than my art, you're all I have to hang on to." She laughed. "Damn, I sound clingy."

"No, you don't." Amy reached out and rubbed Meredith's shoulder.

Meredith's face lit up. "You want to watch a movie together?"

"Sure."

After the movie, Meredith asked Amy if she would stay the night. Amy let her parents know, and happily slept in the same bed with her friend. Meredith found Amy a spare t-shirt to wear. Discarding their bras and panties, the girls hopped into bed.

Whether it was from shyness, the raw quality of their newly expressed feelings for each other, or simply mental exhaustion, the two girls begged off fooling around. The were content to enjoy the feel of being close, and relish the sensation of intimate contact. Feeling the need to find a better position for sleeping, Meredith placed a chaste kiss on Amy's lips and stretched out on her back. She extended her arm as a gesture for Amy to come closer. Amy snuggled up closer. Nestling her head in the crook of Meredith's arm, she settled in for the night.

Now fully relaxed and comfortable, the two girls drifted off to sleep.

===========

The University's library was nearly empty of students, so it was easy for Skylar to spot the dark complected girl who had asked her for the biology primer. The student librarian approached the table and set the heavy book down by the girl's right arm.

"Oh thanks!" Ariadne replied, looking up and smiling through her tired eyes at the tall, lanky girl with auburn hair. She wore it parted in the middle and grown out long so that it draped around her shoulders.

"You're welcome. You know, I see you in here quite often. You sure are hitting the books."

"I've a test next week, and I'm really angling for a scholarship, so I can't afford to slack off."

"Well, I'll leave you to it then. Sorry for interrupting."

"No worries. Actually, I could use a break," Ariadne sighed as she closed her book.

Taking her cue, Skylar sat in the chair opposite the attractive Mediterranean person.

"What year are you?"

"This is my first year, and I've got some pretty tough classes this semester."

"My first year was rough too, but I got through it. It takes time to adjust. Just don't work yourself too hard. You know what they say, 'Burn bright, but don't burn out'."

Ariadne nodded. "Where did you pick up that tidbit of wisdom?"

"I read it in a management training course. I'm majoring in Business Administration, with a minor in music."

"Oh, what do you play?"

"Piano. Mostly classical, but a little jazz, too."

"That is so cool. I bet you're good, too.

"Well, I'm happy to play for you, and you can judge for yourself."

"Well, I'm hardly an expert, but I'd love to hear you." Ariadne really liked this girl. She was cute as a button, and so very kind. And apparently, a serious student and a musician.

"By the way, I'm Skylar."

"Hello, Skylar. Ariadne. But you can call me, Ari."

"Ariadne. Isn't that from Greek mythology? A nymph, or goddess?"

"She was a Princess. Yeah, my family is Greek. My full name is Ariadne Petrakis. Can't get more than Greek that."

Skylar gave a soft laugh. "No, you can't. And you do have that lovely Mediterranean skin. Now, Skylar is Dutch. But that's pretty much all I know. Some mythical goddess of the sky, I guess, though I don't particularly like to be called Sky."

"I like Skylar."

After a moment, Skylar made her move. "So, would you be up for going out?"

"You mean on a date?"

"Uh, huh. I've been wanting to try out that new Indian restaurant on University Street. It specializes in Tamil cusine, which is from the south of India."

"Oh yeah, I've heard about that place."

"So, then, is it a date?"

Ariadne couldn't hold back the smile that appeared on her face. "It's a date."

The girls pulled out their phones and exchanged numbers. Seeing no reason to put it off, they agreed to meet at the restaurant that very evening.

Later, as Ariadne made her way to the Indian restaurant, she couldn't keep from smiling. She was going out on a date with a very cute girl who was sweet and kind, and very likely gay.

===========

It was the next morning, and Meredith and Amy were sitting up in bed, enjoying some freshly brewed coffee and a slice of toast with almond butter. As they relaxed in Meredith's bed, Amy thought back to the very first time they'd met. She'd been fascinated by her new neighbor, and was even more surprised when the girl had sought refuge from her father by hiding out in Amy's room.

She vaguely remembered them sharing a kiss, too. That seemed so long ago.

Meredith too, felt different. Often, when she got up in the mornings, she'd feel tense and on edge. She would sometimes light up a cigarette, or drink some coffee and try to motivate herself to paint, but many times, she'd just lounge about, wallowing in the pain of her mother's passing. These feelings of loss would lead her down dark alleys of thought where she'd question life decisions, and even her worth as a person.

But she felt none of that right then. Amy's presence had soothed her soul.

"You know, when we took down your show, I kept the drawing you did of that falling bird. I have it hanging in my room, but I'll return it, if you want it back," Amy said.

"No, you can keep it. I drew that when I was feeling kind of low. I'm not sure why I created it, but whenever I look at it, it saddens me."

"Why?"

"It's a poor bird plummeting to its death. Kind of sad, don't you think?"

"Oh, I don't see it that way at all," Amy replied. "I've been studying it, and I've concluded that your bird is doing what birds are supposed to do. It's dropping out of the sky because somewhere below, its mate is waiting for it to return. And when it does, they'll build a nest in a tree and raise a family of chicks."

Meredith enjoyed Amy's imaginative take. It sure was better than believing that poor bird had been wounded or killed by a bullet.

"I've an idea," Amy said in a voice sounding too perky for the morning. "I think we should hang it here, in your bedroom."

"What? Noooo..." Meredith protested.

"Why not? It's a beautiful drawing. And now that we know why it's diving out of the sky, it won't be so sad for you. You know, whenever I look at that drawing, I think of you. It helps me stay connected. And if we hang it here in your bedroom, then whenever I stay over, we can have deep discussions about it."

"After or before we have sex?"

Amy took a moment to process Meredith's saucy comment. "Well, sometimes before, and sometimes after. We'll have to experiment and see what works best."

Meredith couldn't resist a smile. Amy's quick wit, and upbeat spirit were infectious. The thing is, they really were a good match. They got along well together, and Amy was the only person still living who actually understood her. The idea of Amy being a regular presence in her home was beginning to win her over.

"And," Meredith continued, as if they were riding the same particle wave, "Right next to that falling bird, we'll hang a large painting of you reclining in the nude, like an odalisque."

"You want to paint me? In the nude?"

"Why not? You're beautiful."

Did Meredith just say she was beautiful? Amy leaned in and kissed Meredith on the lips. Her kiss lingered, and as it grew more passionate, Meredith pushed her tongue into Amy's mouth. Amy did the same, and the kiss morphed into a full-on makeout session.

When they paused to catch their breath, Amy was panting so heavily that it made Meredith laugh. That set off a chain reaction of laughter and jostling in bed that sent one of the plates on the sidetable crashing to the floor.

"Oh shit," Meredith said as she leaned over to inspect the damage.

"Forget it," Amy urged, as she pulled Meredith back to her. In a flash, she had Meredith's tee up and off her body. She then threw off the covers and tugged Meredith's panties down her legs, and tossed them to side as well.

Amy eased open Meredith's legs and gazed at the girl's pink pussy. Not wasting any time, she buried her face in her friend's heated sex and began making love to it.

"Oh shit!" Meredith cried out as Amy continued with her oral assault. Amy's tongue and mouth were so on point that within a few minutes Meredith was sensing a finish. Knowing that her goal was in reach, she placed her hands on the back of Amy's head and began thrusting her hips, and flexing her muscles, doing whatever she could to help flip the switch.

Meredith urged Amy on with helpful vocalizations and words of encouragement. Eventually, thanks to Amy's loving persistence, and her own efforts, Meredith got there.

"Oh my god," she cried out as she released into Amy's mouth. It was a tremendously satisfying orgasm and Meredith felt as if the throbbing wouldn't ever stop. With time, her spasms subsided and her breathing slowed. As her body relaxed, she settled into the cool sheets and soft pillows. It felt as if she were lying on a bed of clouds.

Amy rejoined her friend at the head of the bed. She felt exhilarated and proud. Her spirit was light and giddy.

Amy studied her dozing friend. Her eyes were closed, and on her face was the cutest smile. "Thank you," Meredith finally managed to say between a couple of slow breaths.

"You're welcome. Anytime," Amy assured her friend.

"I'm holding you to that," Meredith warned. "But don't worry, I do plan to hold up my end. If you give me a little time to recover, I'll return the favor. Maybe after some breakfast?"

"Sure, I can wait," Amy happily agreed.

"You know, you are always welcome to stay here. I know you've got school and all, but I'm usually painting so you can study, and I'm right next door. And I sure could use the company. What I mean is, I'd enjoy your company!" she clarified. "I wouldn't want just anyone's company..."

Meredith's fumbling amused Amy. She loved this vulnerable side of Meredith. Her shyness and awkwardness were sides of her that Amy rarely got to see. It made her appear approachable, and that was sexy. Meredith was not one to easily bare her feelings, so inviting Amy to spend time with her felt significant.

"I like being with you," Amy said. The way Meredith's countenance brightened made Amy want to shout a hurrah.

As the girls lay in bed together, Amy pictured herself posing in the nude while Meredith painted her. Maybe her creative friend would want to do a series? Some with Amy reclining on the bed, or eating grapes or holding a pitcher of water. After posing nude for her lover, they'd hop into bed for a round of sex. Later, they'd make for a nearby cafe to drink tea and converse with other creative spirits.

Amy's imaginings took flight. She would move in with Meredith. Meredith's work would be in high demand while Amy would split her time between school and serving as Meredith's part-time muse and model. They'd be like colorful characters from a Puccini opera.

And all through their home would be Meredith's work, most notably pieces that held special meaning for them, such as the Plummeting Bird, and perhaps a few nudes.

Amy wasn't sure how she felt about that close-up of her kissing a girl. But she definitely wanted to put on the bedroom wall the very first work Meredith ever did for her. In it, Amy is sitting cross-legged on the moon's surface, her back to the viewer as she gazes upon the blue earth, just starting to catch the light of the sun.

The End

This is the final chapter of a 5-part series featuring Amy, Meredith and Ariadne. Their stories may continue at some point, though for now, I'm pleased to leave things as they stand. I humbly thank those who have commented, and while I know I can't please everyone, I'm grateful for the opportunity to bring these three characters to life.