THE QUEST: A Search for the Impossible Dream

“Hey Boss Lady, over here.”

“Ange, it’s me, Nik. Hey girl!”

“C’mon, ma’am. Watch where ya goin’. I’m in a hurry. I got a plane to catch. And that’s my cab.”

“Forget that guy, Ange. Some people just don’t have any manners these days. Like you even wanted his cab. You drove your Lex down, right?”

“Oh my gosh, Nik. What are you doing here? And yes, I drove the Lex. But more importantly, how did you get here? And JaRew what’s up? More importantly, how did the two of you hook up?”

“Wow, Ange, Nik was right. You have been living in another world. Unbelievable, but I admit you almost had me fooled. But those notes you left on your bedside table made it easy…”

“Wait a minute. What did you say? My bedroom? Ooops, what am I thinking or actually not thinking—how did you get into my house, JaRew? Nik, you called JaRew didn’t you? And you had to let him in. O-M-G!"

“Calm down, Ms. Angelica Marie Mason. We’ve worked together for too long for you to imply that I need a key to your house or anyone else’s house to gain access, correct? Actually, I’m quite proud to claim my expertise. I know how to break down a door, Ange. I’ve also had my share of breakthroughs, break-ins, and breakouts. Do I need to remind you that you’ve witnessed at least one or two of each?"

“JaRew’s right, Ange. Didn’t he break into that guy’s condo last year when you had been kidnapped? And wasn’t he a part of the Smoothville rescue team a few years ago? And—.”

“Alright, alright! I’m just surprised to see you—together. Nik, I know you know the real deal but that was between me and you. JaRew, I haven’t seen or talked to you in months. You barely know Nik. And I guess you also have your version of ‘the real deal’. Sorry guys…”

“You’re absolutely right, Boss Lady, but I know a few other things for sure. Since when is it the norm for us not to communicate with each other for months? No texts? No calls? No emails? Last time we talked, we had a few things to take care of. Am I right or wrong?”

“Jonathan, can we move on?”

“Ms. Nicole Honeywell, I don’t answer to Jonathan. It’s JaRew or Jarewski, whichever makes you feel better. So, can I suggest we start over? Nik, we flew down here to surprise Ms. Mason, correct?”

“Absolutely, JaRew. Ange, we’re here because you’re our ‘girl’. Can we leave it like that for now?”

“I’m happy to see you—. Both of you. I guess surprised might be a more accurate description. But that’s because I can’t put the pieces of this puzzle together—yet.”

“We both know you well, Ange. Very well. That’s why we’re here and so happy to see you.”

“Now that we’re all on the same page, forget the shuttle bus. Where are you parked, Boss Lady? If you think you can trust me, just give me your keys. I’ll get the car and pick you two up.”

***

"Can we ride with you, Ange? Our flights leave out of Hartsfield."

“Of course you can, Nik. Be for real. Although, you guys are quite a ‘Trip’—the keepers of the secrets. Puzzle expert that I am, there seem to be a few pieces missing from this mysterious jigsaw puzzle called, The Quest for Angelica Mason.”

"Hey, Boss Lady, you want me to drive?"

“Yes, Sir, if you don’t mind. This traffic is too much for me. I just want to relax. You drive and I’ll play catch up.”

“Did you hear that, Nik?”

“Yep, I did JaRew. Never thought I would, though. If she dares to repeat it, I’ll record it so we have it for the official record. No retractions allowed.”

"I know, guys. I can't believe it either. It's a brand-new day. I'm not stressing over anything or anyone anytime soon. Especially after what you guys just put me through."

"Boss Lady, you have got to be kidding me, right? Let me just say this and I’ll be done with this topic for now. I jumped through some hoops for your outer limits fantasy, dream-come-true déjà vu experience. Oh, and by the way, can I assume we’re heading back to Smoothville?”

“Funny, JaRew. Yeah, you can so assume, if you also assume that we should stop for dinner somewhere before we hit the road. I’m starving. Do you know of any good Mexican restaurants in Ft. Lauderdale? And by the way, my treat. Guess that’s the least I can do.”

 ***

“I can’t believe you didn’t trust us, Boss Lady. Can you, Nik?”

“Me, huh? I can’t keep up with the two of you. So don’t ask for my opinion on this one.” 

“Alright, JaRew, Nik, how the blinking heck did you pull this off? And what made you decide that it was a good thing to do? I know I was a little out of it—”

“Little? Is that how you’d describe it, JaRew?”

“Nik, please don’t ask for my thoughts on this one…"

“Wait a minute, Nik, hear me out. Really, JaRew, don’t even go there. The last time I saw you, you had punched Sincere in the nose, blood was spewing all over the place, and Lieutenant Cooke cautioned you and that dizzy nephew of his to stop the madness, or you'd both find yourselves in the paddy wagon along with Sincere."

“Glad you’re here to personally hear this one, Nik. I’ll have to call you to testify the next time the Lieutenant’s jerk of a nephew shows his face.”

“You’re on JaRew. On a related topic, when will I meet Sincere, Ange?”

“Oh, so now you want to meet him, Nik? Hmmm.”

“Can you believe that, JaRew?”

“Nik, have no choice but to believe. He’s quite the character. I can’t wait to see him again, myself! That guy owes me big time; that's all I can say. We have some unfinished business, and the dude knows it."

“Oh no, Ange, what do you plan to do with your buddies? Better you than me, as they say.”

“I don’t know, but I'll figure something out…. In the meantime, Nik, can you help me plan my celebration party?”

“Celebration party?”

“Yep! My official welcome home celebration.  Actually, I’ll be counting on both of you. I don’t know how you guys hooked this up. And you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want me to know. I’m just so glad you did."

To be continued….