The Thoughts are Always There

 

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

1953

          Vanessa and her parents were on holiday visiting family.  After a trip to Edinburgh castle Vanessa’s mother took her by her hand and sat her down.  She explained that there were a lot of things in the world that would try to keep her down, but as long as she persevered and ignored them that she could accomplish anything she put her mind to.  As her mother worked on building young Vanessa’s self-esteem up, her inner voice spoke up,

“There is a gold coin lying under the dresser in the corner.”  Vanessa thought in her mind.  “Just take it no one will notice.”  She thought again.  “If you get caught you can always blame it on someone else.”

 

 

Margarita, Boarding School- outside the girl’s dormitory

1962

          “Vanessa, come on and finish your good-byes your father and I want to make sure we get on the road before its too late so we can have supper!”  Vanessa’s mother called from the passenger door as Vanessa hugged her three dearest friends tightly.

“Catherine is such a lazy cow.  I hope she doesn’t come back next year; she will be cheating off my tests all over again.”  Vanessa thought as she smiled and rubbed Catherine’s shoulder.  “Get knocked up by Zachary or maybe the whole bloody cricket team for all I care.  Just don’t let me see you next year.”

            When Vanessa and her mother had finished dinner they sat together on the back patio.  Vanessa’s mother produced a box and opened it, presenting a pair of gold hoop earrings.  They were her mother’s cherished possession and Vanessa remember seeing her mother wear them on special occasions.  She praised Vanessa for making such high marks in all her classes and doing spectacularly on her exams.  She felt now that Vanessa was becoming a woman, that she would pass on this simple, but beautiful pair of earrings to her daughter.

 

 

A shared flat in London, England

1975

 

          “… Considering all that, Dr. Barclay, what would your diagnosis of the patient be?”  A red-haired woman asks with faux deep voice.

          Vanessa tries to muster a stern face, but her friend’s poor impression was just too terrible to not react.  “Well…” she snickers, “I think it’s a bad case of…” she snickers again, “polishing his nob too hard!”  Vanessa burst into a fit of laughter.

          “Come on ‘Nessa!” The woman says through her own laughter.  “You know that’s how the old fart sounds!”  The women cackle.

 

“Dr. Esrason is such a lecherous bat.  Seriously, I’d pay someone to shag him just to get him to get him off my back every now and then.”  Vanessa thought.