Layered

We drove up the snowy, winding road towards the cozy A-frame cabin. A clear reminder of what I need to do. A trip from work is often a good token but this was representative of my one chance left and a reminder I shouldn't mess up. The toleration of me so far, I feel has been because they know my charismatic parents and their belief I'm not maximizing my ability, at least not yet. I can be an artist but it just doesn't serve me. This four day work trip up to Minnesota sounded interesting. I drove to the cabin, a fellow employee recommended with with my friend to enjoy a little break on her maternity leave. She was uneasy about doing this due to her worry and attachment her son, Adrien. It also seemed out of tradition for the Douglas family women but her husband, Kellen encouraged her to take the opportunity. " Inès, are you good? We're here now!", I said. She wakes up a bit groggy and apologized for sleeping through most of the four hour drive there. "Oh please don't apologize", I tell her. "Auri, this looks great. I hope the drive wasn't too bad.",she said. To which I reply it was fine.

We gather the things and get into the cabin. The weather got increasingly bad along the drive but we stopped to do some grocery shopping as a precaution. Luckily the cabin was a bit modern and among others, so power and water were not our responsibility.

I am graced with doing two paintings of a ski competition I have to attend. They will be big ticket items, therefore, they have to be amazing. Amazing is subjective in art but I have to capture different moments from the live event and interprete it into the most creative versions I can. The downhill ski racing competition is tomorrow morning and we need to be there early.

The next day goes so well and Inés enjoyed it as well. My camera was fully charged and had no mishaps throughout the event. We ended up going to the museum, doing a little sightseeing and did some shopping. We get back so I could back-up the photos and start working on it. The cabin had two rooms, a parlor, kitchen, two bathrooms, a sauna and entertainment room. Inés goes to video chat with family while I explore the cabin a bit more. In the entertainment room, I find a projector I decide on using to view the pictures for inspiration.

However, this assigned leave stacked with an assignment is proving to be more tasking. "Hey, how's it going?", Inés asked. I reply everything's in progress. She brings up someone she knows lives in the area and she invited her over if available. I reply it's no problem, we could go later today or tomorrow. She shows me the social media page of the person we intend to visit and to my surprise, it's Lourdes Martín. I said I knew her previously which she thought was great. We plan on visiting the successful scientist later that evening and Inés lets her know. 

She offers picking us up but we were happy driving. We approach Lourdes' home and see her waiting for us outside. Upon getting out of the car, Lourdes hugging Inés shouts, "Auriette?" with excitement. The years of disconnect seemed invalid as we reunite as people who never lost touch. We comment on her massive lovely home and head in. We talk about what we're doing there and how we all know each other. To my surprise, Inés and Lourdes are cousins. We talk for hours about life, expectations, dreams and where we are now. I talked about how I wish I lived for myself, it may be harder but I would hold myself accountable and possibly be more happy. Being an artist is not bad but it's not me and I feel life is passing me by which supports the quote of letting yourself go through life and loving each moment instead of enduring life each day. 

Lourdes decides to show me something she's finished working on. We head to her laboratory in the basement. She welcomed me to see it because it is reminiscent of something we saw on the Wormholes show we watched called the past maker. She finished it a while ago but was cautious with it because of the delicate nature of time. I spontaneously volunteer myself to test the machine after expressing my pride of her. I reject sending myself but offer sending something instead. Everything has a ripple effect and so much is unknown which is intriguing but just as dangerous. Inés joins us and we update her of our conversation so far. She questions my interest in it, to which I reply I'm fed up and feel like I have not much to lose. I express my lack of fulfillment despite actually having things to lose. She replies, I don't have to do this. "You knows there's therapy, there's universities accepting all ages and still time to make a change that's not this drastic. You do know that right?", Inés said. "Yes, you don't have to test this out. I'm more impressed I could do this in the first place than anything.", Lourdes said. I firmly back my decision with naiveté and a bold sense of confidence. I took the plunge of faith and plan what would be sent as well as what impact i want it to have. I do this still during the trip, during my painting planning and execution and trying to enjoy time with them as well. I remembered an advert I saw recently for couple's date nights. It included customized puzzle sets with hidden messages for each other among the other things. I plan and place the order with all the specifications stated. The trip ended and we had to leave that afternoon. I had a great couple of days. I reflected and was grateful for them which makes me reconsider the package plan but I suddenly got a call from my parents and a reminder email from boss with my expectations. This revived my stance and I continued the plan. We drive back to our homes. I got the puzzle set delivered to my apartment later next week. I planned more things to add that only I would recognize and figured out the right moment to send it. With my deadline the next day, I swiftly visit Lourdes with the package that morning. I thanked her to which she warned me but stated it was good to reconnect. I signed a contract that I was fully aware of the consequences and all possibilities before we input everything. I had the address and details clearly stating, "To: Auriette Justice(Auri)". We sent it to the post office of my home town in hopes they calibrate the drones to send it to me. I left tense and scared but headed right to the office to submit my paintings I feel indifferent about. My boss was not there, so I dropped it off. With the fear of everything, I head home and decide to sleep. 

"I hope I get it, I hope I get it, I hope I get it".