Chapter 6
It's been a month since their dinner date. As work in the studio is finished, Isa and Victoria go on a couple of weeks vacation in Los Angeles. There, Vicky meets some of Isa's friends, and when they're not busy going to bars or going shopping, Isa has fun in her studio.
Victoria still feels like she's daydreaming. When she stops to think about it, she can't help dreading Isa telling her it was a mistake and breaking up with her.
Surely, they get along well and Isa seems content. However, there's some secluded spot in Isa she can't reach. She feels it will take some time for her to heal the pain which built up all these years.
Another week passes and Isa gets a call from Mairead.
Some concerts were booked and they have a couple of months to rehearse and arrange everything.
Isa has been pondering over her job in the band. She understands her responsibility towards it, but wishes she could take a break to decide what to do in the future. If only they could stop for six months... all would be clearer when they came back, the bad feelings would go away or at least become bearable.
She decides to go for a stroll by the beach. Victoria was shopping with some friends she made recently, who were in the biz. It was a good opportunity to relax a bit, be in silence and manage to put her thoughts in order.
She sits on the sand, quite tired from walking under the hotter than usual sun. The waves crashing on the shore soothe her. How green the sea is that day, she feels like going in but decides against it and goes for a last stroll.
She crosses the wide street and comes into a restaurant. It looks familiar. Isa remembers she was there before. With Flo.
They were celebrating a single which made top of the charts and had too much to drink as usual.
They ended up shagging on Isa's living room floor.
Flo was dating a guy then and Isa got carried away and pleaded her to leave him and marry her instead. They got back to the beach to watch the dawn and kissed until their lips were sore.
The next day, Florence said she didn't remember a thing she did, hopping on a plane and going back to her boyfriend.
Isa should be happy now, she was in a relationship with a lady who knew what she wanted. She was loved back. However, there was a part of her that only Florence could reach. This connection was her Achilles' heel, it could ruin yet another attempt of finding real happiness beside someone.
She had to make sure it wouldn't happen. Florence should go her own way.
************************
"So Isa, let's discuss our schedule for the next semester.
I need to know how many week days you are free and where you guys prefer to meet for rehearsals and band stuff...", Mairead began.
They were in her office. Isa came with Tom, Chris and Rob were also there. Isa was nervous about meeting Florence but she wasn't feeling very well, just getting better from a bad cold, so she didn't come.
They all talked business and caught on each other's news since they haven't been together for a couple of months after the incident at Flo's place.
When Isa was leaving, Mairead asked if she could have a word with her.
"How are things between you and Victoria?" Mairead inquired with a sweet smile.
Isa appreciated how she never took sides and understood how her and Florence's connection was a delicate subject and so intense.
"Oh, we're ok, we got engaged and I'm thrilled.", Isa replied waiting for a reaction.
Mairead congratulated them and told her,
"We need you in this team, Isabella. Don't rush things.
Florence told me you haven't got her calls or messages back to her, but be reasonable, you know how essential you are for all of us." she added.
Florence was depressed because she figured Isa being steady with Victoria meant they would come apart. She dreaded losing her friend.
Isa knew what she meant, it was not the first time she thought about quitting. She wasn't in it for the money but out of loyalty and love. Also gratitude. It was the same from Florence's side.
"Oh, and Flo asked me to give you that.", Mairead handed her an envelope.", "Talk to her, Isa".
They hugged and Isa got on her car back home.
Before coming inside, where Vicky was waiting for her, she opened the envelope. There was a wrapping with a silver necklace inside, with a birdcage pendant just like the tattoo Florence had on her finger.
Also a drawing, one of those pretty and wild hearts she used to do with FATM written inside and fire around it.
Below the illustration, in her handwriting it read:
THERE IS NO FLORENCE WITHOUT THE MACHINE.
Isa knew Florence could read her like an open book. She couldn't just end it like that.
With tears welling up, she showed Victoria the stuff and told her about her conflicting thoughts. Victoria hugged her and they kissed.
She poured herself and Isa some strong coffee.
"Do you think I should call her?", Isa asked trying to hide her nervousness, "Are you ok with it?"
"Sure!" Victoria said emphatically, "It took you too long already, go sort things out.", Victoria hugged her again.
Isa let the tears fall, she smiled broadly and kissed Vicky on the forehead.
"You're the best girlfriend a woman could have, and you'll be the perfect wife!" Isa let her know she was wholly into it.
*******************
She breathed in and out several times standing in front of Flo's house. She couldn't let her sense her fragility...
Isa dialed Flo's number trying to control her nerves.
"Hi Bella.", Florence answered in a low and tired voice.
"Hey Flossie!", Isa tried to sound animated, "Can we talk? I'm standing outside your front door." she said.
Florence had already sensed her presence and opened the door as soon as Isa finished her sentence.
Florence smiled at her, with red eyes and signs of a recently healed cold on her face.
She took Isa's hands in hers and pulled her inside.