Chapter 5
Orpha pulled into the parking garage of her condo as she does daily when returning from work. She grabbed her briefcase from behind the seat along with a couple of sacks of groceries that she picked up on the way. She stopped by the mailbox just inside the front lobby; then bounded up the stairs to the fourth floor.
"Minerva?" Orpha called as she stepped inside. "Where are you dear?"
Orpha put her groceries away and walked into the great room. She found a note from Minerva lying on the table, just inside the door where she always sat to have her morning coffee. "Dear Orpha, I've decided to move back in with my Mother in Bakersfield. I don't get a warm cozy feeling that you want me to stay and you don't seem to want to make a commitment to little old me anyway. No commitment, no Minerva. Love you, Minerva."
Orpha put the note down and gazed out at the ocean as it pounded the rocks below. Her heart felt as though it were made of lead as she recalled the days they spent together. Attempting to fight the depression and loneliness, she poured her usual tub of vodka on the rocks and opened her mail. She read several letters when she realized that she didn't retain anything that she had read. Everywhere she looked in the condo, she saw ghosts of Minerva and herself doing things together, laughing and teasing in their usual way. Orpha poured another vodka and sat down by the desk that held the phone. Minerva had scribbled phone numbers, notes and silly little pictures on dozens of scraps of paper, stuffed into pigeonholes and cluttering the desk.
"I can't believe the bond with Minerva that has captured me in such a short time," she thought to herself. Orpha's heart ached as she went through the little notes looking for some clue as to her whereabouts.
"Mom with a phone number with a Bakersfield prefix," Orpha commented out loud as she held up a note. Orpha smiled as she looked at the little "stick woman" drawn on the paper with the caption: "Mom" written below it. She stared at the note for a few moments. "Why would she write her Mom's number on a piece of paper if she didn't want me to find it. She damn well knows what her own mother's phone number is. This is another one of her little fantasies and she's decided to put me to the test, " Orpha thought as she sipped her second drink. "OK baby, you want me, you got me," Orpha said out-loud as she picked up the phone and dialed the Bakersfield number.
"Minerva?" Orpha asked knowing full well that it was her. "Why have you done this to me lover?" Orpha listened for a few moments as Minerva played out her role. "I've just taken my entire bottle of sleeping pills and I'm going to have to get off before I pass out," Orpha announced as she slurred her words while acting out a fantasy.
Minerva started crying and screaming into the phone hysterically.
"Hey baby, I really haven't taken all the pills yet. But I will if you don't get your little ass home to me. You're breaking my heart with this mean trick."
"Yes Minerva, you know that I adore you," Orpha responded to Minerva's question.
"No Minerva, I don't care what you thought. You belong here with me so I can take care of you dear. I love you baby, but you must never pull this silly trick again without our talking about it first. "Do you understand me love?"
Orpha hung up the phone and looked at her watch. "She can make it home before dark if the freeway isn't completely backed up from construction. Never a dull moment when it comes to my little waif!" she said to herself.
The last glimmer of sunshine reflected across the surface of the ocean as Orpha slipped out of the shower and slid into her terrycloth robe. She tied the belt, put on her glasses and dropped into a chair to read the remainder of her mail. Orpha put down her mail as a key turned in the lock of the front door. Minerva nervously entered the room and locked the door behind her. She sadly came over to Orpha and slumped down on the floor in front of her as she ran her arms up inside Orpha's robe. Mnerva took the belt in her teeth and pulled the bow knot loose, causing the robe to fall open. Minerva brought her arms around Orpha's back and nuzzled her face between Orpha's breasts without a word spoken. Orpha put her arms around Minerva and gently rubbed her cheek against Minerva,s scalp, kissing her on top of the head ever so lovingly while gently stroking the back of her neck with her long articulate fingers. Though not a word was spoken, both women felt the intensity and significance of the moment, realizing that their lives would never be the same in their lifetime to come.
Minerva and I stayed together in a very close relationship for the better part of a year when she mysteriously disappeared, leaving all of her belongings and car behind. I filed a missing person's report but found that the local saw enforcement didn't really want to spend a lot of time helping people like us. That's when I decided to take the matter into my own hands, which turned out to be one of the most life threatening undertakings if my entire life. If you'd like to hear more about it, Look for "Avenging Minerva" in the weeks to come under the "Bondage" or "B&D" category. Warm, loving regards, Orpha Creed