Say Hello To The Angels

Valia was standing at the window humming when Greta awoke. She lay there watching her, and recognized the song she was humming as one that she’d heard in the car by Interpol before she started quietly singing, “But New York Cares, Got to be some more change in my life, But New York Cares, Got to be some more change in my life, But New York Cares, Got to be some more change in my life.”

“Subway she is a porno,” Greta starting singing, catching Valia off guard. “You have a fabulous voice,” Greta said. “Good morning beautiful.”

“I had a fabulous voice coach,” Valia smiled. “We will be leaving soon, yes?” she asked sounding as if she would miss New York.

“We can come right back after D.C.,” Greta replied. “This place is so expensive we may have to visit a few more slot machines though.”

Valia laughed, walked back to the bed and sat at her feet. “That would be nice, but I’ve never been to Paris.”

“Do you have a passport?” Greta smiled. She reached for her cel phone and sent Sissy a text thanking her for the pleasant stay. She knew she would not read it until Greta had already checked out and left for D.C.

She did not feel like putting on any clothes yet, so Greta called down to the front desk and willed the young man that answered the phone to have someone go down to the corner where there was a Starbucks and bring her two of her favorite lattes. The young man asked someone to watch the front desk for him and ran to the corner himself. Within ten minutes there was a knock at the door. Greta answered the door completely nude, a reward for bringing the lattes to her so quickly. “Come in and put them on the dresser please,” she said. He nearly stumbled over himself walking over to dresser. When he turned Greta was still standing near the door. Catching a full figure view of her left him in a mild trance that was only broken by Greta speaking, “That was very kind of you, thank you very much.” He walked back to the door where she handed him a twenty-dollar bill and closed the door behind him. Greta heard Valia giggle.

“One for you and one for me,” Greta laughed.

“Thank you Ms. Garbova,” Valia smiled.

“Valia, what is the word for what I am able to do with a human mind and thought in your language?”

“JTIK,” Valia replied. “It means to convince, persuade, induce, reason, change.”

“JTIK,” Greta said.

“Perfectly pronounced,” Valia smiled.

It was a sunny morning. Greta opened the window and the two of them stood on the small terrace sipping their coffee. Valia was carefully instructing her about how to proceed with her task at hand before leaving New York, and in D.C. and beyond. She explained how much had to be carefully thought out when JTIK might alter a person’s life. She gave Greta a crash course in what to do when JTIK would be used on a large number of persons. From the street a wolf whistle was heard. It came from a passing truck driver, after all she was standing in the open air completely naked.

“Better get back in honey, don’t want to cause an accident,” Greta giggled.

The closer check out time came, the more they both thought that they would be returning to New York and The Chelsea soon. It was the perfect city to meet an endless stream of humanity that could help make a difference. Greta called back down to the front desk and informed them that she wanted to rent the room indefinitely. When the clerk informed her that it was already reserved for a new occupant, and that he could put her in a larger suite, she JTIKED him to reserve that room for the other occupant. “I have grown very fond of this room,” Greta said, “I simply have to remain in 619.”

“The reservations will be changed immediately,” the man at the front desk replied. “I am very pleased you have decided to stay with us a little longer.”

Greta thanked him and hung up the phone. “I am sure he is very happy I am staying, and hopes I ask him to bring coffee up to me daily,” Greta giggled.

Now that there was no rush to check out, Greta took her time packing some bare essentials she would need for the trip to D.C. She planned on stopping at Macy’s and picking up a few new things to wear. “A girl can’t leave New York without getting a little something for herself,” she said.

On the way out of the elevator Greta looked around for William and saw him standing next to the front desk clerk. Wish me luck, she thought.

“Life is a lot like the Lottery,” William replied, ‘you have to play to win, so don’t forget to play.”

She blew a kiss at him and walked out the door. The gent at the front desk saw her do so and swooned thinking it was for him. “Pitiful,” William said shaking his head.

On the short walk to her car, she noticed that a little shop sold lottery tickets. “Help me pick a winner,” Greta said.

“I think I’ll let you go this one alone,” Valia giggled.

Greta walked into the store, filled out the form, handed it to the young lady behind the counter along with a dollar and smiled.

“Just one ticket?” the girl asked.

“You only need one to win,” Greta replied. “When I win, what kind of car would you like me to buy you?”

“Good luck,” the girl laughed handing over the ticket.

“I’ll be back,” Greta replied and walked out the door. Her car had numerous fliers under the windshield that she removed and placed in a trashcan. “First to Macy’s,” she said.

Greta parked the car and walked a few blocks to Macy’s. She found a few new outfits to wear and purchased those along with a pair of boots that almost looked like the original Beatle Boots. “I wish I could purchase two of everything, one for me and one for you,” Greta thought. She picked up a new pair of sunglasses before she left. On the way back to the car she saw Susan Sironda walking towards her with a female friend. I have always loved her gorgeous round breasts, Greta thought as she smiled at her walking past. Susan looked back at her as if she knew her.

“Seeing her has given me an idea,” Greta said. She started the car, put the top down and moved through the Friday midday traffic towards the Holland Tunnel that would take them to the Jersey Turnpike where they would start their trip down to D.C. Greta parked the car near the corner of Vessey and West Broadway. “Ready darling?” Greta asked.

“Yes.” Valia replied.

Greta turned the engine off, stepped out of the car and moved to the back seat where Valia joined her. “It just seems so appropriate to start this where we first met,” Greta smiled. As Valia had instructed her, together they focused on becoming one. They started with a JTIK directed at the United Nations where dignitaries from around the world were gathered, instilling in each of them a new focus on the survival of humanity. Of the many problems facing humanity, they made the planets survival paramount in their agenda, and instructed them to act on that new focus and remain focused until real change had been implemented.

“That didn’t seem so hard,” Greta sighed.

“That was the easy one, they were all together,” Valia smiled.

Greta took a drink of her Fiji water and once again, followed Valia’s instruction as together they focused on every celebrity in New York. It took longer for them to perform this selective JTIK, and when they finally agreed the time was right, they instilled in each of them that spark of revolution so needed for the country to heal itself, from the war to human rights, that dream of love, that dream of peace was to be spread by their influence until that dream became a reality for all, until that reality, for all in this country, became the model for the rest of the world to follow. They then JTIKED them all to attend the demonstrations in D.C. the next day, no matter what plans they might have to change.

When they had finished, each of them was sitting in a position with their head on the back seat staring at each other. Valia smiled and asked Greta if she was ok. “I am now that I can see you again,” Greta smiled back.

A delivery truck came lumbering down the street and pulled up slowly to the stop sign on the corner, the driver looking down at the scene in the back of the Pontiac convertible. “Hey Charlie, get a load of these two, Mama Mia, gemelli identici,” the driver said, prompting his friend in the passenger seat to crawl over him to get a look.

“Valia, he just said identical twins,” Greta laughed. “Could they be dead and driving a ghost truck?”

“Ladies, where have you been all of my life,” the guy who had been sitting in the passenger seat shouted.

Greta and Valia both looked up at the two drooling out of the truck window in awe. “Are you talking to me?” Valia asked.

“I am talking to you and your gorgeous twin sister sitting next to you,” the passenger seat guy grinned. “You gotta excuse him cause he don’t got a lot of manners,” the driver said.

“Greta pushed the bucket seat forward, took a pen out of her purse and tore off part of the bag her water was in. She scribbled what looked like a phone number on the piece of paper, handed it to the driver, and said, “Call us,” in a nasally Brooklyn style accent.

“What are your names?” the driver asked.

“I am Paloma,” Greta said, “and I am Gina,” Valia cooed.

The driver put his truck in gear and slowly pulled away.

Greta and Valia both hopped into the front seat quickly. Greta started the car, turned left onto Vessey until she turned left at Broadway. She pulled over next to a few men in suits waiting to cross the street on Broadway near City Hall. “Which of us do you think is more attractive?” Greta asked.

They stared at them both with a look of disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding,” the guy standing in the middle said, “you’re identical.”

“Really, cause most people think I am more attractive since I am older,” Valia smiled.

“How much older?” one of the other men asked.

Greta looked at Valia and they screamed at each other. “Aaaargh, they can see both of us.”

“See both of you here and in my dreams if I am lucky,” one of the men shouted as Greta put the car in gear and drove away.

“Valia, you are visible, they can see you,” Greta said pulling the car over.

“Regimas,” Valia replied. When we merged to JTIK, your will for me to be visible, to be real, was so strong it has manifested.” “I am indeed visible,” she smiled moving her hand over Greta’s thigh casting a shadow.

Greta moved her hand over Valia’s casting a shadow on her hand casting a shadow on her thigh. She pulled her close and began kissing her passionately. “I am so happy,” she said. She reached between her thighs, removed the Valia necklace and placed it around her neck. “Try it now.” Valia moved her hand over Greta’s thigh casting no shadow. When she moved her hand over Valia’s, again no shadow. Greta then stood up in her seat and raised her top exposing her beautiful breasts. “What do you think of these my good man?” she whispered to a tall gentleman going by who did not seem to notice her. She waved and blew kisses at a busload of people stopped next to them and not one of them acknowledged her presence. She then removed Valia once again from her neck and safely tucked her between her thighs. “I think I like Regimas,” she laughed.

“So do I,” Valia smiled, the most beautiful smile Greta had seen her wearing since they met. “I think we are going to have further family and friend tweeking as you put it,” she laughed.

“Looks like they are all going to get two for the price of one,” Greta laughed. “I could just say we met in Millennium Park in Chicago, and that you are from Lithuania, and it is just a remarkable coincidence that we look exactly the same, and talk the same.”

Valia simply stared back at her with a look that said, “I don’t think so.”

“Mommy,” Greta quietly moaned, “Mommy, you had twins?”

“It can be arranged,” Valia said.

Greta turned the key and started the car, “Now you can help drive,’ she said as she pulled out and headed up Broadway and to the Holland Tunnel.

“Yes.”

As they made their way south down I-95, Greta would catch Valia creating shadow images with her hands, marveling at one that looked exactly like a flying seagull. She would wave at people passing in cars and get genuinely excited when they smiled or waved back. Greta was paying such close attention to Valia that she wasn’t watching her speed. A New Jersey state trooper came up behind her fast, lights flashing. She pulled over on the shoulder and turned off the car.

The officer got out of his vehicle slowly. “Can I see your drivers license and insurance card please?” he asked.

“Why certainly officer,” Greta replied, reaching in her purse, removing what he asked for and handing it to him. “What seems to be the problem?”

“You were doing 78 in a 65 m.p.h. speed zone,” he replied.

“Officer is it true that 80 percent of all cars pulled over for a ticket are red?” Greta asked.

“I am not sure about that statistic Miss,” he replied, now wearing a huge smile.

“I cannot imagine why they should be stopped just because they are red, lot’s of fire engines are red.”

“Where are you heading?” he asked.

“To visit friends in D.C.” Valia replied.

“Well I am going to let you off with a warning this time,” he said, “but you mind your speed because the next time you may not be so lucky.”

“Why thank you officer, that is so nice of you,” Greta smiled, taking back her license and putting it in her bag. “Have you ever been to D.C. officer?”

“Many times, it is a nice town to visit but I wouldn’t want to live there,” he laughed. “Careful there this weekend especially,” he cautioned, and bid them a safe trip.

“I didn’t do anything, did you do anything?” Greta asked Valia.

“No, I didn’t,” Valia laughed.

“That my dear was due to our awesome beauty and female charm,” Greta giggled looking in the rear view mirror to check her lipstick. She started the car and they were on the road again. “You know, I have not eaten today,” Greta said. She pulled off at the next exit that advertised gas and any number of fast food restaurants. She stopped at a gas station first to fill up, then decided to have something to eat that did not have a face.

“How about beans, do beans feel pain?” Greta asked getting back into the car.

“I know you have discovered that communicating with plants is indeed a possibility, but certain forms of life, like that which is grown to sustain other life, accepts this as their reason to exist, so in answer to your question I would have to answer yes but no if that makes any sense to you at all.” Valia replied.

“Taco Bell then, are you hungry?

“I will join us in sustenance that does not have a face,” Valia smiled.

Greta needed to stretch so they went into the Taco Bell to eat. While waiting for their meal after ordering two bean burritos and two cokes, Greta asked Valia if she had to tinkle yet, or would she have to.

“I am not sure,” she replied.

Greta picked up the tray and the two empty cups, and walked over to the self-service pop machine where she showed Valia how to fill the cups, and inevitably poison themselves before they walked to a booth by the window.

“Here come the angels,” a young girl of about six years of age said to her young brother who turned around to see what she was talking about.

“They are Chistas,” her brother replied, “female angels.”

“Look mommy, here come the angels,” the young girl called to her mother. Her mother looked at them sitting down at their booth, dressed so differently. “They are not angels honey, they are twins.”

“But angels are tall like them, and beautiful like them, and many angels look exactly alike,” the young girl replied. “And the spots on their backs is where their wings come out of so they can fly.”

“You have quite an imagination Jill,” her mother said before gathering their things to leave. “Come on honey, let’s go to the bathroom before we leave.” The young girls brother walked over to their table. “Do angels ever give autographs?” he asked.

They looked at the wide-eyed boy, then at each other. “Sure we do,” Greta replied. She reached in her purse for a pen and opened a clean napkin. “Whom do we make it out to?”

“Could you make it out to Jill, that’s my sister.”

“To Jill it is then,” Greta smiled, signing the napkin first, then handing it over to Valia to sign.

“Thanks, this will make my sister very happy.”

“What did you write?” Greta asked.

“Taiks ikvaizduz mjetok api galva,” Valia smiled.

“Peace little lover of life,” Greta replied, “what a beautiful thing to write. How did I know that?”

“There is a lot you know that you don’t know you know, yet,” Valia laughed. “Come on, I’ll drive.”

Valia was a great driver. As they passed signs that said Philadelphia this way, Greta could not help but think about how beautiful an adventure the past week had been. “The City of Sisterly Love,” she said.

“The City of Sisterly Lovers,” Valia replied.

The daylight cruise continued with Valia behind the wheel until they reached Baltimore. “Baby wants another Starbucks,” Greta said. This time she gave Valia instructions on where to turn and where to get off to reach her coffee.

“Good, I have to tinkle,” Valia giggled.

“Darling, that is fabulous,” Greta smiled impishly. “Water sports later perhaps?” she laughed.

Valia parked perfectly in a spot down the block from the Starbucks. When they entered, Greta ordered for them and they both used the bathroom while their drinks were being made. “I had to come and watch,” Greta grinned. “Your first tinkle.”

“Tinkle tinkle little star,” Valia smiled. “Your turn,”

Greta giggled. “You just described water sports, only there is not necessarily a toilet.”

“Oh, I understand,” Valia grinned.

“I am sure it’s a nice city, but I don’t have a clue what Baltimore is famous for except John Waters and crab cakes and there is something I have to do today,” she said “here you are sis,” handing Valia a coffee.

Greta wanted to drive the rest of the way to D.C. She changed the c.d. and smiled as she watched Valia take a sip of her latte. “I am going to take you shopping when we get back to New York,” Greta said, “but for now you can share my clothes since I think they’ll fit.”

There was a bit more traffic on this final stretch of the trip. Greta sang along to a K.T. Tunstall song, “Her face is a map of the world, Is a map of the world, You can see she’s a beautiful girl, She’s a beautiful girl, And everything around her is a silver spool of light, The people who surround her feel the benefit of it, It makes you calm, She holds you captivated in her palm,” getting Valia to join her in the chorus, “Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see), This is what I wanna be, Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see), Why the hell it means so much to me.”

They continued singing until the song finished, commanding horns being blown by passing trucks, and waves from children in passing vehicles as they did. “That was o.k.” Greta laughed when the song ended. Valia agreed, seeming happier by the moment.

When they drove past the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge, she and Valia received a list of requests from the many forms of wildlife in the refuge. Wild turkeys asked that the Thanksgiving Holiday be turned into a vegetarian feast, but the ducks had the loudest and largest list of demands, about everything from having to swim through water tainted by humans, to having drivers show more respect and patience whey they are crossing a road, especially when they have the kids following them.

“That was one of the loudest and most bizarre things I have ever heard in my life,” Greta laughed. She took a Highway 30 exit to Walter Reed. “We are going to visit Sue’s brother,” she said, as her mood got a bit somber.

She let Valia give her directions, although since her change she somehow did not seem to need them. They were directed to park underground in front of Building Two. “The pain here is so intense,” Valia said.

“Yes, I feel it,” Greta replied. “Steven is on the third floor.”

They made their way up a stairway and through the usual hospital maze to acquire hospital passes. They had to sign in, and Greta watched in amusement as Valia copied her handwriting almost to a crossed T, except for the first name. Valia Garbova, I like the way that sounds, Valia thought.

“You can take that elevator to three and you will be directed from there,” the hospital attendant instructed.

Once again, they broke a few hearts just with their awesome presence. Heads were turning, a few doctors stopped dead in their tracks seeing the identical pair. Many of them scrambled to get on the same elevator with them.

“Good afternoon ladies,” one patient wearing a lime green striped robe over pale grey pajamas said. “You must be heaven sent, because I for one can tell you that seeing the two of you not only makes me forget my pain, it makes me forget my wife too.”

Greta and Valia looked at each other and laughed. “What a nice thing to say, thank you sir,” Valia replied.

They stepped off on three and the show continued. It was heart warming for them to know that their presence was having such a positive effect on these battered and shattered lives. A nurse directed them to a waiting room. A few minutes passed before Steven came rolling in on a wheelchair, a blanket draped over his lap. He burst into tears when he heard the two of them speak his name. Moments earlier they had JTIKED him to remember them as twin sisters. They both hugged and kissed him.

“Steven, words cannot describe what I am feeling now,” Greta said once he settled down. “Are they taking good care of you?”

“Oh yeah, I am getting really good care here,” Steven replied. “Everyone here is just so nice, but they are persistent in getting you to help yourself as soon as you are able, which is a good thing.”

“That is good to hear,” Valia said.

“What brings you to this part of the world, not me I certainly hope”

“Yes, you are part of the reason,” Greta replied. “We are here for the huge demonstration tomorrow to try and put an end to this war and countless other reasons.”

“Thank you,” he said looking at both of them.

They talked about some of the people they’d known growing up. Valia kept expressing an interest in other things to try and stay out of that conversation.

“Steven, if you could have one celebrity speak on your behalf about the war tomorrow, who would that be and what would you have her say?” Greta asked with a giggle.

“Her huh, how can you be so sure I would not pick someone like, oh say, Jack Nicholson?” he laughed.

“Because I know you and it would most definitely be a she.”

“I guess it would have to be Keira Kiteley, I just adore her and always have,” Steven replied. He went on to explain his bitterness for the war, his bitterness towards himself, and his anger for it all.

They could not replace his lost limbs, but Valia and Greta did the next best thing. Asking Steven to join them in a moment of silence, they JTIKED him to heal mentally, removing the anguish he was suffering, and strengthened his resolve to live.

“Can I ask a favor of you before you leave?”

“Ask away honey,” Greta smiled.

“Can you just walk with me back to my bed and let these guys catch of glimpse of you?”

They all started laughing. “Of course Steven,” Valia replied.

Steven introduced them to his war torn friends, Valia and Greta JTIKING each of them as they were introduced. “Say hello to the angels, Say hello to the angels,” one of the patients began repeating, who took a bit more tender loving care to JTIK. When they finished making the rounds, their exit was most definitely more rousing after the work they had accomplished on them all.

“I can’t tell you how much you made their day,” Steven said.

“It was our pleasure Steven,” they both chimed in.

“Give everyone my love when you seen them, and tell them I am going to be just fine.”

They kissed and hugged him and after saying their goodbyes, made their way down the elevator and retraced their steps to the car. “Thank you so much for coming into my life,” Greta said to Valia, just before she started crying in the stairwell. “I know we did something wonderful in there, but it will not bring back Stevens limbs, or the next guys brain, or that girls arms.”

Valia remained speechless, she simply held her in her arms as passersby moved by them on the stairs. Eventually Greta pulled herself together and they both headed to the car.

“Thank you so much for coming into my life,” Greta repeated.

“And you into mine,” Valia replied, “but your tears wrinkled my shirt, and I am really longing for a long hot bath.”

Greta started laughing and blew her nose in the bottom of her own shirt. “Me too,” she grinned, her head turned slightly.

They JTIKED every remaining war torn patient and hard working hospital staff member on the grounds before leaving the garage and heading across town to the address in the Foggy Bottom district that Clarissa and Robyn sent her.

There was no parking on the street the address was on. The entire block was turned into a garden, every inch of it covered in flowers and greenery of some sort, excluding the sidewalks. Greta called Clarissa and was directed to a large garage in the rear of the building. “Just like home, mommy I love you,” she said. As she drove around back, they JTIKED Clarissa and Robyn to recognize them as twin sisters, and very close twin sisters at that, Valia being the quieter one. Robyn was waiting in the back for them. “Thank you so much for deciding to stay with us,” she said.

“Oh, thank you for the offer sweetie,” they each said taking turns giving her a hug. “What a beautiful place.”

“Yes, my aunt was in part responsible for the no parking historical district garden in the front of the house,” Robyn laughed. “Come on inside.”

You are quite the actress, Greta thought.

Acting is only part of it my dear sister, Valia giggled.

“Hey,” Clarissa shouted running over to hug each of them. “I love it when you two are together, double the pleasure of being around you.”

They all sat around in the living room, speaking about their trips east. Greta asked if she could turn on the television to a news channel, and Clarissa handed her the remote. “Here you are, I never watch the stuff,” she said. “I’ll just keep my back to the screen.”

“This is indeed a bit of a mansion,” Greta said. “How long has your auntie lived here?”

“She owned most of the block at one time or another, but fixed the places up and sold them to well screened owners, keeping this largest one for herself,” Robyn replied, “I think it’s been about 10 years.”

“We stopped to see Sue’s brother Steven before coming here,” Valia said.

“How did all of that go?” Clarissa asked.

“He and a few others seemed to feel a bit better by the time we left,” Greta replied, striking a glamour pose with her arm around Valia.

“I bet they did,” Clarissa laughed. “Robyn promised to take me out and show me some of the sights before tomorrow gets too crowded and crazy, wanna come along?”

“Oh honey, we’ve been in a car for the past six hours, I hope you don’t mind if I pass,” Greta smiled.

“Yes, I could sure use a hot soak,” Valia said, receiving a longing gaze from Greta.

“Ok, let me show you where everything is.” Robyn took them up to their bedroom, a beautifully furnished room with tall bright windows, walls painted in red, and a large comfy bed that looked so inviting. They had their own full size bathroom accessible from the bedroom.

“Are you sure this is not the larger bedroom, we would not want to impose?” Greta asked.

“Oh no,” Robyn laughed, “follow me.” She took them to the bedroom she and Clarissa would be using that was more than twice the size of theirs.

“Now I feel better,” Valia laughed.

“If you get hungry, there is plenty to eat,” Robyn offered.

“Thanks,” Valia and Greta answered at the same time.

After gathering up a few items, Clarissa and Robyn headed out the back door. Greta and Valia moved back to the living room and stretched out on the couch where they started to see news bits about the next days planned demonstration. The newscaster started interviewing one celebrity after another, calling it the largest known exodus of the rich and famous they had ever seen heading to a demonstration in D.C. “And they are not just coming from The Big Apple,” the announcer said. “Keira Kiteley has decided to take a break from her busy schedule, to fly to D.C. where she is expected to speak to a group of severely injured War Heroes at Walter Reed before joining the demonstration.”

“Did we do that?” Greta asked.

“Plants,” Valia replied.

Plants indeed. Apparently, Steven’s request for a guest speaker was able to reach her some three thousand miles away. The JTIK was carried across the country and planted in her as a suggestion only, a suggestion she agreed to on her own.

“How exciting, and one less thing for us to do,” Greta giggled. “Steven is going to be so happy.”

She crawled on top of Valia and kissed her passionately. “Now, about that bath,” she grinned.

Greta began filling the tub. There was a large selection of body oils and bubble baths to choose from. The tub was so large it was a welcome change to the smaller hotel tubs they had been in, especially with the gorgeous new size body Greta was now in.

She lit a few candles that were already in the bathroom as well, and turned on the radio mounted in the wall between the sink and the bidet. They willed each other’s clothes off and slipped into the hot fragrant tub. Valia sighed as the radio softly played one of Greta’s favorite Placebo songs, “Hush, It’s okay, Dry your eye, Dry your eye, Soul mate dry your eye, Cause soul mates never die.”

The song inspired Greta’s next question. “Valia, could we be just that, soul mates?”

“There is no doubt, that we fit the definition of soul mates,” Valia replied.

They melted into each other, exploring, probing and loving each other to newer orgasmic heights. “It just keeps getting better,” Greta sighed, barely able to speak when they were spent. They dried off and moved back to the living room couch where they decided to take their own tour of D.C. Greta placed the Valia necklace around her neck, and together they transported themselves from one site to another. When they landed on the soft cool White House lawn, Valia could sense Greta’s anger. He’s at Camp David, hiding from the truth that is coming here this weekend, but in the immortal words of what’s his name, I’ll Be Back! Greta thought.

Standing in the middle of the National Mall they watched police and National Guard troops setting up barricades, as if they were looking down on an enemy camp the night before a major battle.

They decided to watch the sun set on the roof of the Jefferson Memorial with Greta teaching Valia the lyrics to one of her favorite Neko Case songs, “How will you know if you found me at least, Cause I’ll be the one, be the one, be the one, With my heart in my lap, I’m so tired, I’m so tired, I wish I was the moon tonight.”

“Say Hello to the Angels,” Valia smiled pointing to a cloud in the western sky that looked like two flying angels.

“Say Hello to the Angels indeed.”

Chapter 16

The Embrace

Clarissa and Robyn were already locked away in the mistress bedroom when Greta and Valia arrived in each other’s arms on their own bed. Robyn had turned down the beddings and left Godiva Chocolates on each pillow, along with chilled bottles of Fiji Water in ice buckets on each of the nightstands. “What a gracious host,” Greta said. “I am so happy they found each other.”

“Here,” Greta said handing a Godiva Chocolate to Valia, “try this and tell me what you think?”

Valia removed the aluminum foil from the piece of chocolate and took a small bite. Greta grinned when her eyes seemed to light up a bit as she did. She took another bite and smiled, “Valia like,” she said in a deep sexy voice.

“Greta like too,” she said taking a bite of hers and sharing it with Valia, feeding it to her with a kiss. “Come here, and help me put together some outfits for tomorrow.”

Valia willed their bags unpacked in a blink, the clothes all folded and organized and resting in neat piles on the top of the large dresser across from the foot of the bed. “Show off,” Greta laughed.

“Maklavis tudzit,” Valia grinned.

“Yes, it does take one to know one,” Greta laughed.

They both agreed on the sleeveless v-neck cotton t-shirt dresses to wear. Greta always bought more than one of an item she fell in love with, if they were on sale, Valia to wear the red one, Greta the black one. “Sandals or Beatle Boots,” Greta asked.

“Can’t we just go the way we are now?” Valia asked, her arms folded, still naked, as was Greta.

“I suppose it might take a little tweeking, but I am sure we could,” Greta grinned.

“Beatle Boots.”

“Well, now that we got that settled, follow me.” Greta led Valia to the kitchen to raid the icebox. She put some cheese and an assortment of fruit on a plate, added some crackers and they sat down to a late night snack. Robyn entered the room almost wearing a robe. “I thought I heard someone in here,” she said.

“Sorry to disturb you,” Greta replied raising her eyebrow as she bit into a large red grape.

Robyn pushed her hair back, gazed at her two nude guests dreamy eyed and returned to her bedroom. “Nitey nite, see ya in the morning.”

“Goodniiiiiight,” Valia and Greta chimed.

After finishing up their late night snack, they retired to their own bedroom. They turned on the television, turned off the volume, and settled into sleepy time in each others arms bathed in the soft flickering light coming from the television.

“I look forward to water sports,” Valia said quietly, Greta replying with a quiet giggle.

In her present form, Valia slept, but she was not accustomed to as much of it as Greta, and was always up first. “Your huge gathering is getting larger by the minute,” Valia said seeing Greta open her eyes. “It is ten o’clock,” Valia added anticipating her first question of the day. “They hope to start at noon.”

“That gives us plenty of time to wake up, shower, dress, get a Starbucks,” Greta smiled. She turned on her Macbook and began reading and answering emails. Everyone had decided to meet as close to the base of the Washington Monument as possible. She got to an email from Rose and opened it. There was nothing more than an attached digital image of her and Emily kissing each other in the nude. The attachment was simply titled, ‘What you had and what you lost.’ Greta simply archived it as a keepsake and smiled, being genuinely happy Rose was not hurt by their inevitable break up and that she had already found someone else. She then pulled up the site for the New York Lottery to bookmark it for later.

“Ve better get movink dahlink,” Greta said, taking Valia by the hand for what had become their routine shower together, that was always anything but routine. When out of the shower, she insisted that they paint each other’s finger and toenails, and that they wear lipstick at least. Even though it was her first time with a bottle of nail polish in her hands, Valia’s control was precise. By the time they were through, aside from the clothes they were wearing, they were a matching pair.

“I thought I heard someone out here,” Greta said walking into the kitchen where Clarissa and Robyn were having coffee and toast.

“Would you like something to eat?” Robyn asked.

“Nope, I am good, how about you Valia?” Greta smiled.

“I just want a Starbucks,” she smiled back.

“I am sure you already know, but many from last weeks wedding crowd are meeting at the base of the Washington Monument,” Greta said.

“Yep,” Clarissa replied. She seemed to be getting into a serious demonstration mood.

“You can see it from the corner, and there is a Starbucks on the way,” Robyn said.

“Yes, well we are on foot so we are going to get started so we don’t have to rush,” Valia said.

“Robyn, would it be ok if we put a flower in our hair from outside?” Greta asked.

“What a groovy idea, of course.”

Greta kissed Clarissa on the top of her head, “See you soon,” she said.

When they walked out the front door, Greta asked the flowers if any of them wanted to go to the peace demonstration with them in their hair. “Me, me, take me,” a chorus of voices chimed together nearly knocking Greta for a loop. “I don’t think I will ever quite get accustomed to that,” Greta laughed.

“Ok, let me see,” Greta said bending to gently remove two of each style she chose. She separated them, handing Valia her flowers, and they took turns willing each assortment into their glowing matching hairdos. “Oh baby, you so would have been a hit in San Francisco in the sixties,” Greta said. Valia simply smiled and continued down the street.

There were people on every street streaming towards the bright white monument in the near distance. They found their Starbucks where Greta ordered two of the usual. The closer they got to the National Mall the more it started to look like an Anti-War Demonstration. They saw people wearing costumes, signs painted on everything imaginable, from boards to umbrellas to one’s own body. Many people had their children in tow, walking alongside grandparents and great grandparents. It was a scene that had repeated itself many times since Twine took the country into the depths of the tragedy that was his War for Greed, but this demonstration was different, Greta and Valia could feel it.

Closer to the mall, the more security they saw, police by the thousands in battle gear, on foot and on horseback. Thousands of National Guardsmen had been added to the security. By the time they made it to the base of the Washington Monument, guest speakers had already begun their speeches. It was hard to hear from where they were standing, so together they turned up the volume. The grass they were standing on was screaming their own protest at being trampled on by so many feet. Could you please make sure this one makes a difference so they are not here repeating this every three to six months? they asked. Greta and Valia promised they would try.

The roar of helicopters overhead drowned out the speakers. Dozens of military helicopters flew over the massive crowd dropping flowers on them in a spectacular colorful display of peace and solidarity to the main reason the throng was gathered, ending the war. “I thought that was a nice touch my dear,” Valia smiled.

“I could not have done it without you sister,” she replied blowing a kiss at her. “Must think of the children around us,” she giggled.

The crowd responded to the flowers landing on and around them with awe and confusion. Before they got to their friends, Greta and Valia JTIKED their appearance, so that anyone they met who they knew, would recognize them in their present form of dazzling close twins.

One friend greeted them after another, many of them having arranged to meet up with lesbian groups from all over the country.

It was not until one guest speaker fired up the crowd enough to get angry that trouble began to brew. A group of a few dozen protestors dressed in black, heads covered with hoods and carrying shields made out of oil drums cut in half, at first began shouting at the police on duty, then started pelting them with rocks. The police responded with tear gas. With all eyes on the incident at risk of quickly escalating out of control, Valia and Greta JTIKED its end. Within moments the two opposing groups were treating each other like lifelong friends.

This will remain a peace demonstration, Greta thought. A violent mess is what they would like.

Valia joined her in insuring the day would remain peaceful, as the police collected their own weapons, storing them in their trucks and vans before joining the crowd. They singled out the groups in the crowd that might hope to turn the day into a violent event, and watched as they peacefully mingled with those they were ready to do battle with moments earlier.

One guest speaker and celebrity after another took the stage, calling for and end to the war, but their demands did not stop there, as they called for immediate action to halt the senseless destruction of the planet itself. Every issue that plagued the country was addressed. The high point of the day for Greta was seeing Steven and a dozen of his friends join Keira Kiteley onstage.

The most rousing speech of the event about humankind’s future on the planet came from Sloan Mitchell. Sloan was one of the artists whose work they had seen back in Chicago at the Cool Globes Exhibit on the lakefront. The words she spoke were so accurate that Valia JTIKED them to be imbedded in everyone present, and to spread them to everyone they met.

“Come one honey,” Greta said, “it’s tinkle time.”

Valia smiled and they headed towards the port-a-potty area on the far side of the mall. “Clarissa, if we get separated we will meet you back at the house,” Greta shouted. Clarissa smiled and waved, a beautiful flower tiara around her head made by some stranger in the crowd, since her hair was so short she could not wear any flowers in her hair.

“Have you ever had a back stage pass?” Greta asked Valia following her into the same port-a-potty. They took turns tinkling, and once through, Greta placed the Valia necklace around her neck. In a moment they were standing backstage gazing into Steven’s happy face. Greta studied Keira’s face up close, wondering how she could reward her for being sweet enough to do what she did. Moving from one celebrity to the next, JTIKING them with specific tasks to perform, they noticed they were not alone. Greta recognized long gone Presidents and Movie Stars wandering through the crowd. She heard Richard Nixon telling John Wayne, “I ended one war and by God I am going to help end this one.”

“Well, of all the wars I fought in one movie or another,” John Wayne said, “this one certainly seems to be the only one I would have refused to fight.”

Valia told Greta that Sissy was getting ready to take one of the side stages, where a variety of musical talent were performing their tunes. In an instant they were standing behind crates that some of the sound equipment arrived in. Greta removed Valia from around her neck and once again tucked her comfortably between her thighs. She had a surprise for Sissy, a thank you for being the gracious host she was in New York. As she was being introduced, she noticed Greta, and now Valia, and waved. She opened with her most popular song that really got the crowd moving. When Sissy began talking about the protest song she had written that she was about to perform, as the band started into the song, she heard an all too familiar groan coming through the sound system. She turned to notice her favorite singer Lux Interior, was about to join her onstage to perform the song as one of the most bizarre duets seen in broad daylight. By the end of the song, both she and Lux had dove into the crowd that passed them back and forth and finally back up onto the stage, still singing, not missing a lyric. “How could I possibly improve on that?” Sissy said to the crowd before thanking them, and especially Lux for joining her onstage.

Greta and Valia moved back into the crowd, leaving Sissy to Lux, or was it Lux to Sissy as Greta put it. “He’s a little old for her, but he’s still got it.” The next act up was Patti Smith who broke right into People Have the Power. Valia was amazed at how the rousing ‘Babel’ as Patti put it, moved the crowd so. She told Greta that on her world, she would be called a shiranzet, or a natural born artist in her own right.

“Valia,” Greta asked as they walked through the crowd, “has your species ever gone through periods like this, with events like this?”

“No, which is why I find it fascinating.”

“I’m a little hungry,” Greta said.

Clarissa and Robyn laughing hysterially when they got to them. “Honey we are starving and want pizza,” Greta smiled.

“So, what else is new,” Valia giggled.

“Look, you are invited to come and eat, my treat,” Greta said.

“I’m famished,” Clarissa replied, “there’s a great place for pizza called Pizzeria Paradisio.”

“Nothing at all like a familiar college town pizza hey,” Greta laughed. “Let’s eat there, I will call ahead and have them start cooking up a few.”

Together the four of them joined many others beginning to spill away from the flood of humanity that gathered for the event. “We’ve been counted,” Clarissa smiled.

“And photographed and catalogued as well I see,” Greta said pointing to obvious government agents assigned to try their best to snap a photo of everyone at the demonstration if possible. Greta JTIKED the memory cards in the cameras they were using to have the agents own faces on their bodies when it came time for them to be viewed and catalogued.

You are so bad, Valia thought, I like it.

“The real work begins now that this event is history,” Greta noted.

Many of the celebrities who attended the event started getting uncontrollable cravings for Pizzeria Paradisio as well. One after another they started leaving to satisfy their hunger.

When they arrived, the pizzeria was extremely crowded already, so Greta had them serve the pizza outside. It was not long before the crowds that gathered blocked the street. Fans had followed most of the pop stars and movie stars who strolled over. Valia and Greta found the conversation they had with Sloan Mitchell to be most stimulating and informative. She was fast becoming one of the nations strongest voices for immediate change to take place, and she was from Canada.

“I don’t know what I am doing here, I never eat pizza,” the famous television star Pamela Gunderson said. “Oh hell with it, I’ll work it off.”

It was not long before the manager of the restaurant had to announce that they had run out of most of the ingredients needed to make any more pizza. “I guess we got here just I time,” Robyn said, looking at the crowd that had gathered.

“I’m stuffed,” Valia said after one slice.

“Me too,” Greta said looking puzzled, since she had only finished two thin slices and usually ate more. “Must be my new metabolism, because I still love pizza.” She gave the rest to people in the crowd who were unable to order food.

The walk back to the house found the four of them laying out plans for Greta driving them to the train, since they had to leave the next day. Robyn told them that they could stay at her aunt’s place until they left, showing them how to use the coded door locks to secure the place when coming and going. Clarissa tugged at Robyn’s arm wearing an impish grin on her face as she spoke. They retired to their own bedrooms. The sound of their bedroom door closing found Greta and Valia immediately in each other’s arms completely nude, settling into a night of intense lovemaking. At one point, they agreed to JTIK Clarissa and Robyn with what Greta called ‘The Valia Technique’, so they could experiment with reaching the new orgasmic heights that Greta was now so overwhelmingly addicted to.

Chapter 17

Museums

In the morning Greta found Valia doing yoga along with the woman on the television screen. “You’re a yoga natural,” Greta said, “good morning beautiful.”

“It is a good morning,” Valia replied, her right leg in a perfectly straight line along her body with toes pointing at the ceiling. “This one is called the zujitz,” she smiled. She moved slowly into another pose when Greta noticed that the woman on the television was following Valia’s lead.

“You’ll always have a future as a television yoga girl if you want one,” Greta giggled. She sat up and opened her Macbook from sleep. After glancing over the news briefly, noticing a few stories about the prior days events, she navigated to the New York Lottery site where she confirmed that she had indeed won eighteen million dollars on the ticket she purchased there. “Yippee, we get to head right back to New York when we are through here,” Greta shouted. “It appears I won the Lotto.”

Valia turned her head and laughed. “Why am I not surprised?”

Greta decided to call Marlene in Chicago before she disappeared for the day. “Hewwo Mommy,” Greta said.

“Greta, is that you?” Marlene asked.

She JTIKED Marlene to recognize her new voice, and she and Valia JTIKED her to believe that she had two daughters before answering. “Yes mother it’s Greta,” she said.

“How are you, how is your sister, do you need anything?” Marlene asked.

“I am fine, Valia is fine, and all we need is your love Mommy,” Greta giggled.

“How are you set for cash honey,” Marlene asked. “Your event was big news here.”

“I should be asking you if you need any money Mumsy,” Greta replied. “Mom I won the New York Lotto yesterday, so I won’t be needing any money I would imagine.”

“That is nice honey, when are you heading back to school?”

“Not sure, got to head back to New York to claim my prize so, soon I think.”

“You’re serious, you won a lottery?”

“Yep.”

“Honey, keep me posted on where you two are and how you are, promise?”

“Promise,” Greta replied before she hung up. “Love you mommy.” Greta hung up the phone and asked Valia if she liked pancakes.

“I am not sure if I like pancakes,” Valia replied.

“Come on honey, help me make some breakfast. Greta tossed her one of her extra large t-shirts, “For breakfast at least,” as she put it. She led Valia back to the kitchen where she found what she needed to create some instant pancakes. She showed Valia how to make a pot of coffee. “You have to whip it baby, and whip it good,” Greta giggled as she stirred the pancake with vigor. “Now place the bottle of syrup in the hot water, Greta likes her syrup hot,” she smiled.

Valia admitted to loving the smell of coffee before and after it was brewing. Robyn came walking into the kitchen and laughed.

“Breakfast in about ten minutes, go get your peachy lover up lover,” Greta giggled.

“Smells fab, thanks.”

Clarissa walked in wearing a bra and shorts. “Greta, I didn’t know you can cook,” she said.

“I am a fabulous cook darling, Valia is the one that cannot cook,” Greta laughed.

“I can make coffee,” Valia smiled.

“Mmmm, coffee,” Clarissa smiled.

Valia set out four cups and filled them, leaving room for cream and sugar as Greta had told her to do. They ate breakfast, then all pitched in to clean up the kitchen, before retiring to their own bathrooms to get ready to leave.

Greta and Valia went through their morning shower together and put on matching tops and cutoffs for the day. I am going to have to wash some clothes, or maybe we should just go buy new clothes, Greta thought. “I am going to wait until New York to go shopping, so I guess you can see how humans wash their clothes later.”

Valia laughed and put all the dirty clothes in a pile. “Ready when you are sis.”

They helped Clarissa and Robyn get their things to the car after another tutorial on the door locks. Valia hopped in the back seat with Robyn as Greta headed to the train station, the top still down.

“So, it is a Union Station here too huh?” Greta asked. “I bet it’s nice.

“It is not much different from what I can see,” Clarissa replied.

Greta pulled up in front where she and Valia helped them get their things out of the car. They all hugged each other offering their goodbyes.

“Clarissa,” Greta asked looking into her eyes, “if you could have any one material thing that you feel could immediately improve your life, or your love life, what would that be, and it could be more than one thing?”

“Oh, a top of the line Macbook pro would be nice,” she giggled. “My computer is a mess.” “Hmmm, for my love life, oh, I don’t know, a car like yours, a few romantic vacations, you know, things like that. Why do you ask?”

Greta simply smiled at her and kissed her on the top of her head. “Love you girlfriend, have a safe trip back, and make sure you do everything I would do,” she laughed.

“You be careful too,” Clarissa replied. “See you back in C’dale soon.”

“Well, it’s Sunday, want to just be tourists and see things?” Greta asked before starting up the car. “Some of the finest museums are here, the National Air and Space Museum would be a good place to start don’t you think?” she grinned.

“I would like that very much,” Valia replied, “but first, Starbucks.”

“Mmm, the more I become like you, the more you become like me,” Greta giggled.

Once they had their Starbucks in hand, Greta drove back across town to a spot between the Mall and the house they were staying in, since there was little to no parking at the D.C. site. “Shall we walk or?” Greta grinned stroking her thigh.

“I am in no hurry, let’s walk.”

She and Valia took their coffee with them and started their walk to the Museum. On the way there, Greta found out from a little bird that Rose was at a picnic in Giant City and was talking about the night Valia arrived. They quickly JTIKED her to forget the details of that night, which arrived on the wings of a bird, relayed to a tree, who issued it to Rose. Finally at the entrance, Greta paid for Valia and she and they began their tour of the museum. They heard the guards comment on how their arrival was the brightest thing to happen to them since they started working there. “Where have you been all of my life?” a teenage boy walking by with his friends asked them. “France, we are from France,” they chimed in reply, getting the crowd around them to laugh.

“Is Paris still on our itinerary?” Valia asked.

“Absolutely,” Greta giggled. “I hope you do not find these displays too primitive and boring.”

“Quite the contrary,’ Valia replied. “All life begins with baby steps.”

The most fascinating item to Greta was a triangular piece of moon rock, mounted into a display for visitors to touch, reminding her of Valia strapped around her thigh. When she touched it and closed her eyes, she could see the lunar landscape as vividly as if she was standing on it. She looked at Valia in surprise.

“Etymtiz,” Valia said quietly. “Being able to see it and experience it without actually being there.”

“Yes, I could see our blue planet from there.”

“It is such a beautiful gem from space, so worth saving,” Valia replied.

“Everything in here looks so big and old,” Greta laughed. “Want to take in the Einstein show?”

“Are you asking me out on a date movie?” Valia smiled.

“Oh you know it baby, let’s get a seat way back in the upper balcony, mmmmmm.”

A young girl of about twelve heard Greta say that to Valia, and started giggling loudly.

“Ok, there’s Cosmic Collisions, I have a feeling you do not want to see a movie about that,” Greta laughed.

“Haaaa,” Valia replied.

“How about the Infinity Express?”

“Or?”

“The Stars Tonight.”

“Infinity Express,” Valia decided. “We can go to a rooftop and see the stars tonight.”

They made their way into the show and chose the front row. The seats were designed to look up at the ceiling. When the show began, Greta found the voyage through the Milky Way Galaxy and beyond exciting, but could not stop wondering where Valia was from.

Are we there yet? Greta would ask in thought, wondering if they were any closer to where she was from.

You just passedthe exit, Valia replied as the tour took them beyond the Milky Way Galaxy.

What, are you saying you are from our own galaxy? Greta silently looked at her all bright eyed.

We do occupy space in the same galaxy.

When the show ended Greta and Valia decided to leave the museum and take a stroll in the sunlight.

“Trillions of neutrinos, amazing,” Greta said.

“Every second,” Valia laughed.

“How do you find your way home when there are so many stars in the sky?”

“Our method of space travel is very similar to the way we move from place to place over short distances.”

“It is all very confusing to me at this point in time, but I have an idea that your ship plays a huge role,” Greta said looking at her twin with a puzzled look on her face.

“Our ships are organic, they are alive so to speak, so imagine a larger, much more powerful means of moving as we do.”

“Thank you for the infant explanation,” Greta laughed. “Oh look, an exhibit about Native American Women, a fashion show, shall we?”

“Yes.”

Once inside, Valia felt overwhelmed to the point of feeling giddy. “There is an exquisite harmony these people had with what you call the spirit and physical worlds.”

“They thought the stars were gods that interacted with humans to help create that harmony,” Greta replied. “I did a high school project on the topic I will have you know, and received an A.”

“My species always interacted with stars, eventually evolving to a point of being able to travel to them,” Valia smiled.

“So who was your celestial goddess of love?”

“Deivis,” Valia replied. “She gave birth to beauty and to love. But, unlike your species who actually believed that the stars or planets were gods and goddesses, our’s were understood to be pure fiction, created by our own desire to understand and love the beauty all around us, very similar to creating a beautiful work of art”

They moved through a fashion show of various tribal gowns, made by different tribes from different eras. When they stopped at a dress created and perhaps worn by a Sioux woman, they could see her, standing in a field as if viewing a time capsule newsreel in living color. The woman looked past them as if she thought she had seen something, showing no fear. She then smiled at them, moved her hands about her and towards them in a type of embracing motion and continued with what she was doing in the field she was standing in, the tall grass swaying behind her before the image vanished.

“Ok, I don’t want to know how that was possible, but if we ever have the chance to meet Cleopatra, than you can explain,” Greta giggled. “She was beautiful, and happy, probably before the European invasion of this land.”

“She was.”

“You know, unlike the mess made of the existence of women like us by the invasion of humanity that destroyed their way of life, Native Americans not only accepted us as a separate gender, a type of two-spirit human if you will, but we were held in high esteem within the tribe and coveted because if you mated with us, you received an elevated position in the tribe,” Greta said.

“On my world, all sexuality and eroticism is neither accepted nor unaccepted, it simply is,” Valia replied.

They made their way back out into the open air and strolled towards the Capital Building, pausing at the reflecting pool. Greta looked around at the masterful planning behind everything in her nations capital, and found it impossible to come to terms with how the current excuse for a president made it into the White House, let alone how he was allowed to remain there. The ducks floating on the shallow pool of water had no complaints. There was a lot to nibble on after you all left, one of them said. Valia continued to refine Greta’s abilities. She did not know it yet, but once she learned how to tap into and control them, all of the powers inherent in Valia’s species were already within her.

Greta pulled Valia up from the grass. “With any luck, we will be on the road back to New York by midday tomorrow,” she said as they locked in a loving embrace and JTIKED the initial plans for what Greta referred to as How to be a president – 101. “You can drive.”

“Yes!” Valia grinned.

Chapter 18

Дата добавления: 2015-10-29