The Journey of a Lifetime...

The morning sun pours in through the window. The shades up, curtains back. Jessica Mathis stands in this warm, embracing halo, cup of coffee in hand, looking out at the gentle roll of the waves lapping at the edge of the beach like a puppy kissing a child. She smiles as she sips another swallow of Folger's from her orange and green tie-dye mug. Scenes like this will not be in her future forever. In fact, far shorter time than she may even think. Her hair has not been brushed, so it has a bit of a static cling look to it. She stands in a simple pair of pink pajamas, complete with pink fuzzy slippers. Such a serene scene it is almost a shame when "Peacekeeper" by Fleetwood Mac sings from her cell phone. She turns from the bay style window and looks for a short moment at her bedroom. The house belonged to her Mother, who visited in the winter. During the spring and summer, it was her own. This bedroom was decked out just like a girl's room should be. From the oversized bed with pink sheets to the pair of wingback chairs in the corner, resting atop a Native-American inspired rug. The dresser, snow white in color with double mirrors and more drawers than a Men's Warehouse. The walls, painted by hand, a soft green. During this pause, the phone silences. She blinks and walks across the hardwood floor to said dresser, where the phone now lay quiet. She picks it up and powers it on, just in time for it to sing the same song at her again.

Jessica Mathis: "Yellow."

This with a smiling grin. The voice on the other end of the phone, sounding tired, groans.

Voice: "Must you always be so damn cheerful?"

Jessica's smile widens.

Jessica Mathis: "Well, JEM is never truly sad, you know."

A groan. The kind that either says bad joke, or I'm passing a really nasty kidney stone, reverberates from the phone.

Jessica Mathis: "So how is my best friend today?"

Voice: "Your best friend, the one and only Landon Andrews, is one very tired, very sore but very happy fellow."

Jess turns and walks to the bed, settling on the edge.

Jessica Mathis: "Annnnnnnnnnd?"

Landon Andrews: "Day one went well. Not one complaint about my light at all. Others, no so much. Shadows are such a bugger."

Jessica Mathis: "Did you meet anyone exciting?"

The anticipation is fairly icing her voice like an overly done chocolate cake.

Landon Andrews: "Not really. Light crew doesn't get to rub elbows much."

Jessica Mathis: "Awwwww! How do you expect me to start my autograph collection if you don't see anyone famous?"

Landon chuckles.

Landon Andrews: "You could try getting off your ass and pursuing a career  out here. God knows, you have the look that half of this town would die for."

Jess blushes.

Jessica Mathis: "Oh, Lan. You're just saying that because you're maybe halfway awake, at best."

Landon Andrews: "Yeah. Probably. Anyway. The wildfires out here are interrupting our shooting schedule, so I'm off the next two days at least. Thought I might take the drive to San Diego, check out the old stomping grounds."

Jessica Mathis: "Sounds like a plan. Send pics?"

Landon Andrews: "You got it. I'm going to grab a few hours of sleep, get up about noon and then grab a sandwich. Probably gas the car up and hit the road."

Jessica Mathis: "You be careful. I'm about to embark on a life changing campaign, I don't have time to break in a new bestie."

Landon gives a tired laugh.

Landon Andrews: "Yeah. I kinda like the one I have. She's a nutcase, but she seems to have a good sense of humor."

Jessica Mathis: "I'm a bag of mixed nuts, for sure. You be careful and give me a call later, ok?"

Landon Andrews: "Got it."

The connection drops and she lowers the phone back to the dresser again. She looks at the clock and sighs. A quarter after eleven. She was due at Palm Sweats at twelve-thirty to fill a three hour management gap. With one final gulp, she departs the bedroom, heading across the hallway to the bathroom. Just enough time for a nice shower....