Just Jenny

White! Everywhere, white! Just as she had chosen the décor, it seemed pure, untarnished, fresh, bright, and breathable. Yes, just as her abode should be. Slinking her body amongst the smooth, white, silk sheets, Jenny felt safe.
Turning to gaze at Jonathan lying beside her, even he seemed to ‘fit’ in this soft setting. His closed eyelids hid the crystal blue of the eyes. His blond silky hair fitted into the rumple of the pillow where he slept.
Jonathan has been such a wonderful addition to her life, Jenny could not imagine being without him ever. Their coupling was almost ideal, with love, friendship and comradeship. Both were polished, reasonable adults. In many ways, Jonathan was like a ‘”rock” of stability in her exciting life. She loved him and needed him.
She relinquished her place in the warmth of the bed to swathe herself in her long white robe. Moving quietly, seemingly floating, Jenny went to her window overlooking Central Park where most of the autumn colored leaves had relinquished their weight to the dewy grass. Cars, busses, taxis, trucks carried their people hastily to and fro. Life was busy out there.
Later, Jonathan joined her at the breakfast table where they ate the soft poached eggs with toast and juice. The crystal glasses and the silver enhanced the flavors of food. The steaming coffee in the thin china cups was warming to the throats and body. To use heavy mugs was not to her liking. This preceded their stroll in Central Park on Sunday morning. Quietly, Jenny hummed her favorite melody—Chopin’s Nocturne. A few church bells faintly made themselves heard in spite of the din of New York City.
The night before, Jenny had sung the role of Despina in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutti. It was a fun performance, especially when Despina played the part of the judge, which called for her to don a robe and change her voice to ‘disguise’ her character. In this opera, no one got slain and all ‘lived happily ever after’.
The following reception maintained the jovial mood. Flowers! Delicate foods! Champagne! Accolades! Politicians! All these blended to create another stage for Jenny and Jonathan on which they graciously played their roles with sincerity.
Jonathan was extremely polite and was well-groomed for the high society of New York. Back in London he had become the epitome of English gentry. His personality impressed his circles of friends and business associates. Jonathan was a clone of his highly schooled parents who loved him deeply. Jonathan’s transition to work in New York had been smooth, which delighted the Earl, who is a Barrister, and Mrs. Combs. They enjoyed visiting him and meet his new friends. They had met Jenny on two occasions.
Back in the penthouse, they sipped tea and munched crumpets. Being from England, Jonathan had this tradition his whole life. Jenny delighted in such exercises. She felt very much the Lady!
When it was time to retire, they each showered and Jonathan shaved again. Next was the Sunday’s night’s love making---as tender as ever with both enjoying the ritual of “totality.” Their bodies had melded as their eyes spoke of caring and love. Sleep was equally comforting.
Next on the schedule was a long flight to Sidney, Australia. The performance was Brahms’ Requiem. History says he, Brahms, wrote the Requiem. Although the public truly liked it, Brahms was not happy with it. During the following year, he lost his best friend. Also, his mother passed away. Hence, he wrote the soprano aria and inserted it in the middle of the requiem. The message of this aria recognized the pain of loss and subsequently the recognition of life everlasting when people shall again be ‘known as they were known’. Brahms deemed the requiem complete.
Jenny sang the aria with compassion and passion. Again, her performance was stellar.
As usual, Lorlie accompanied Jenny. Actually, Lorlie was Jenny’s second cousin. Lorlie knew her as wee tot and spent many hours with her as she grew through time. Being a few years older than Jenny, Lorlie considered herself rather like an older sibling. Lorlie also had curly hair with eyes that were green when dressed in this color and blue when her attire was in this color. This was a trend among their relatives.
Wrenn, a friend and musician who then lived in Melbourne, Australia, took them to many areas of the continent. With them was a native Australian, Lee. His accent was most appealing. At a restaurant, Jenny relished the juicy, tender kangaroo steak. However, when she saw a real kangaroo and felt its very soft fur or hair, she almost regretted having indulged in the tasty steak. BUT, when the friendly kangaroo got too close to the car and tried to eat Jenny’s snack, she had less regret! Wrenn, Lorlie and Lee were laughing hysterically at Jenny fending off the “roo.” Finally, it hopped away with her baby joey leaping alongside her mother. Geezy Peezy!
Jenny had fun shopping and buying a didgeridoo which is a VERY difficult instrument to play well. To play this, the musician must use circular breathing, which is quite difficult. The tone is haunting. Also, Jenny bought a hat with small corks dangling from the brim to keep away flying insects. This purchase surprised Lee which classified Jenny as a true tourist. She accentuated her tourist classification by purchasing other memorabilia. Of course, to acquire a boomerang was deemed a necessity. She bought a bullroar, which was swung in circles, making a weird sound. This was often used as a warning. Also, Jenny acquired a lovely, small framed picture made of real, natural sheep’s wool depicting a landscape. The perspective was unbelievable. This she gave to Lorlie, her companion. Too, the Aborigine natives had their own tales and legends. Their artwork most often was many little dots in various colors. These original natives considered the snake an important figure in their beliefs.
Tales about the “Swagman” camping alongside a billabong were honestly intriguing.