One day, on the way home from work, Jennifer passed Miss Donna as she crossed The Villa's courtyard. Miss Donna was sitting in one of the bookend gazebos reading.
"Well Hi Miss Donna, how're you today?" Jennifer came to a complete stop outside the gazebo, intending to stay for a while.
"I'm fine Jennifer, how was your day hon?" Miss Donna had an inviting tone and immediately closed her book and set it aside. "If you have the time, why don't you come on in and sit for a while ? chat a bit."
Jennifer couldn't help but oblige, especially since she'd been wanting to talk to Miss Donna for a while now ? you know pick her brain and such.
"Thank you Miss Donna, I will," Jennifer entered the gazebo at a leisurely pace and plopped right down beside Miss Donna with a smile. "So what're ya reading today," Jennifer glanced down at Miss Donna's book.
"Oh just a book of various poetry I picked up at the library a few days ago; I do likes my poetry," Miss Donna said with a girlish giggle.
"Now Miss Donna, you mean you came to the library and didn't even stop by to see me. Shame on you," Jennifer tapped the back of Miss Donna's hand and then laughed. "Now please, you stop by and see me the very next time you come in and each time after that ok."
"I sure will hon ? I sure will," replied Miss Donna recognizing Jennifer's invitation to visit more often and be more than just passer by friends. She liked that idea.
"Great," said Jennifer with a smile as she glanced away from Miss Donna to take in the beauty of the courtyard.
"So how was your day today Jennifer?"
"Oh fine, just another fine day for me." Miss Donna thought Jennifer seemed extra chipper this day.
"You sure do seem like life's being good to you these days." Miss Donna was offering an opening for Jennifer to tell her what was making her so happy, although she had a pretty good feeling about what it was already.
"Oh Miss Donna let me tell you; David and I have really hit it off and it's been ? well it's been ? well, beyond words." Jennifer even surprised herself with the amount of emotion she put into her voice.
"Well hon, I'm glad to hear that ? you know I think you and David are a great couple. Sometimes you just sense these things. When I first met you, of course I'd already met David, I thought to myself now there's a couple. No really, it was one of the first things I noticed for some reason; that is, just how much I figured you and David would do well together. It's nice to see my senses ringing true." Miss Donna actually felt it was inevitable from the day Jennifer moved in that David and her would become a couple. She figured there were just too many good reasons for them not to. It went beyond similar interests and such, in Miss Donna's mind there seemed to be a real spiritual connection between Jennifer and David; something that cannot and will not be ignored.
"It sure is going well Miss Donna," Jennifer leaned over toward Miss Donna exuding energy that could only be described as pure joy. "I mean I want to keep my bearings about me, you know not rush things, but I have the distinct feeling I've found that special guy. Oh listen to how corny I sound!" Jennifer blushed a little.
"Oh Jennifer, you don't sound corny. You sound like you're in love, and that's a good thing. "I think, well from my experience anyway, when you find love and that much joy you should let it flow. Don't worry too much about how it looks or how fast it moves ? ya just take that leap of faith and let your heart soar." Miss Donna had put a hand on Jennifer's shoulder. "I know there's some risk of getting hurt, but if there is a risk to take in life ? well love is the one to take. You just let yourself be happy hon, I don't think David will let ya down." Miss Donna had a look of sincerity that calmed Jennifer.
"I don't think he'll let me down either Miss Donna, he's a pretty good guy," Jennifer couldn't help but hug Miss Donna. She didn't really know her all that well even, but she felt a connection.
After a little more chit chat Jennifer made her way back to her apartment feeling glad she took the time to stop and see Miss Donna in the gazebo.
Miss Donna watched Jennifer enter her apartment and remembered her youth, and love, and simpler times. She glanced over at Frank's front door for a moment then gathered up her things and slowly shuffled back to her apartment. She had positive feeling about her conversation with Jennifer, and a bit of a lonely feeling as she wondered what Frank was doing this day.