Tanya Sloan
She grabbed her large black suitcase from the revolving conveyor belt clicking the handle as she headed over to the foyer of the terminal. Tanya glanced around the crowded airport lobby patrons were coming and going in every direction. It seemed like a lifetime passed since she departed from Angel Grove and yet it felt strangely different and welcoming all in the same instance.
She turned around to the familiar sweet airy voice calling her name.
"KAT!" she cried spotting her best friend.
"Tanya!" she said wrapping her arms around her in a tight embrace.
"Wow…Kat I've missed you so much!" Tanya said pulling away from her best friend.
"I missed you too!"
Katherine Hillard was her best friend in this world. She and Tanya connected with one from the very moment she descended to Angel Grove to accept her duties as a power ranger. Age certainly treated Kat well; she still had her slender graceful figure, which all the many years of dance training seemingly contributed too, her skin glowing and peachy, and her hair was longer and curly yet still had that warm radiated glow about it that she always remembered.
"How was the flight from New York?"
"I wouldn't know…I slept through most of it," Tanya laughed.
"I see," Kat said chuckling.
"You ready to go?"
"Yeah, I'm ready."
"You have everything?"
Tanya nodded.
"Let's hit the road shall we?" Kat said with a smile leading the way…
"Kat, your place is so nice," Tanya said stepping inside her apartment.
"Thanks make yourself at home," Kat said shutting the door behind them.
Tanya's eyes slowly adjusted to the dim lights in the room the blinds from the large window next to the door haven't been drawn open. She looked to her left and saw a large dining table, with several chairs surrounding it, a small closet with lots of dishes and glasses fixed behind it. Near the middle of the living room she saw three large, black sofas forming a U- shape with a low table in front of them, with nothing but a large vase with a bouquet of baby breathes sticking out, in front of the sofas.
"Have a seat."
Tanya nodded taking a seat upon the large black leather sofa. She glanced over her shoulder and spotted several photo frames all over the wall, pictures of family and friends, along with several framed awards and certificates. It made her smile seeing pictures of herself and her other fellow rangers inside some of the picture frames on the wall.
"Kat I cannot thank you enough for letting me stay with you."
"Tanya, you're my best friend. I wasn't going to just let you come back here without having anywhere to go," she said handing her a cup of tea.
"Thanks Kat…I appreciate it," Tanya said taking a small sip.
"I just can't believe we're back here in Angel Grove," Kat said taking a seat next to Tanya.
"Yeah, same here who would have thought that life would bring us back here."
Kat nodded. "Well, as they say home is where the heart is," she said laughing.
She couldn't agree more, even with spending all those years in Africa; Angel Grove truly felt like her home. Her life kick started the moment she stepped foot into the small town those many years ago. It was definitely a significant moment in her life, nothing or no one could have prepared her for everything that was too come from accepting her duties as a power ranger.
Power rangers, those days were distant memories and they had come and gone just like that before she had time to take it all in. She and her fellow rangers had no choice but to pass on their powers and besides life had to go on and there were many opportunities out there for her to pursue, as it was no longer her duty to save and protect the world from the trials and tribulations of evil.
"I put all you things inside the guest room."
"My things?" she said peering at Kat.
"Yeah, all your things that were mailed here."
"Oh right!" she said snapping herself out of her daze.
"Thanks girl."
"No problem it's all there and I can help you fix up your room if you like."
"Of course!" Tanya said as she stood to her feet, as Kat lead the way over to the guest room…
"Tanya please tell me you remember this?"
"Remember what?" she said peering over in curiosity at Kat.
This," she said sitting beside her.
"Wow! I totally remember this," Tanya said peering at the picture.
It was an old picture of her and Kat together in their Zeo rangers' suits. She and Kat stood side by side as Zeo Ranger I pink and Zeo Ranger II yellow.
"Tanya I didn't realize you had taken so many pictures," Kat said flipping through a small blue photo album.
Kat placed the photo album on top of one of her unopened boxes.
"Whoa isn't this picture from the time when you got to sing at the Juice bar?"
Tanya nodded; there she was singing her heart out on stage a moment frozen forever in time. The still image made her smile because it set the stage for her future singing career.
"Look, at all of us the playing baseball at the park," Kat cooed gliding her hand over the picture.
There was her and all her fellow ranger friends posing for a picture at the pitch.
"I like this picture. All of us together. Those were the good times," Kat said as she turned the page.
"Yeah, they were."
"Oh wow…" Kat said trailing off.
"What?"
"I cannot believe you actually have a picture of this," she said pointing at the black and white photo. "Look there's Justin; I wonder what he's been up too?"
"Yeah, I kind of miss that kid," Tanya laughed.
"Me…too…you look so cute in this picture Tanya," Kat said turning to Tanya.
"Hey we are both rocking it."
Kat smiled. "Check out Tommy and Adam those two were rocking the same style back then."
"Yeah, they were…" she said trailing off drawing her focus on him.
There was Adam standing there besides her with that goofy smile of his and those piercing dark eyes staring back at her. Looking at his face suddenly sent her mind racing through the moments in their past.
"Tanya…you…okay?" Kat asked staring over her way.
"Yeah…I'm fine," she said thoughtlessly.
"You sure?"
Tanya nodded still reeling through her thoughts.
"It's Adam huh?"
"What…?" she stumbled.
"You're thinking about him?"
She peered over at her best friend, nodding; she had been caught reeling in thoughts of her ex.
"You really miss him don't you?"
"Yeah, I do," she said feeling her heart grow heavy with sadness.
"Tanya, I know things didn't work out for you guys before…but maybe you guys can see where things can go now that you're back in town."
"What are you talking about?"
"You do know that he still lives here in town right?"
Tanya felt her heart skip a beat. "No, I didn't."
"Yeah, Adam lives around here."
"Wow…I had no idea."
"You didn't know?"
Tanya shook her head. "Adam and I haven't spoken to one another in…the last two years or so."
"I'm sorry for assuming I thought that since you and Aisha had recently gotten back in touch with one another that she mentioned something about him to you."
"No…she didn't… but girl, it's all good," she said laughing.
"Wait so you really think that we could reconcile our relationship?"
"I can't see why not… you're back in town so maybe you guys can reconcile with each other."
Tanya nodded she was agreement at Kat's conclusion but then something else hit her.
"Wait…what if he's seeing someone? Or if he's married now?" she started rambling off.
"Tanya, calm down…first off I highly doubt he's married. Secondly, you will never know if he is seeing anyone if you don't go out and see him."
Tanya sucked in a deep breath, Kat was completely right, she needed to just relax and breath and just take things one step at a time.
"Have you seen him lately then?" she asked.
Kat shook her head. "No, I haven't? I do know how you can go see him."
"Really? How?" she asked feeling herself growing anxious.
"Hold on a second," Kat said standing to her feet heading out of the room.
She leaned her body back against the hardwood bed, not having an idea what Kat was up.
"Here you go," she said handing Tanya a flyer.
"What's this?"
"Read it silly," Kat laughed.
"Come out and enjoy a relaxing evening with one of Los Angeles County's finest indie rock bands "Eyeshine" featuring world-renowned martial artist…Adam Park."
Tanya really couldn't believe what she was just read; it was almost too surreal for her to believe.
"Kat is this for real? Adam in a rock band...seriously?"
Kat nodded "Yeah."
"Adam's in a band…wow who would have thought," Tanya said shaking her head.
"How did you find out about this?"
"Rocky and Aisha told me about it."
"Oh wow…when did you see them?"
"I ran into them and they mentioned to me about coming out to see Adam play with his band."
"I know that I just got into town but I think this would be a perfect opportunity for us to have a little reunion. I miss everyone and I would love to chance to see everyone again."
She couldn't help feeling extremely excited and anxious at the thought of being able to not only see her best friends but Adam again as well.
"Yeah, I agree this is the perfect chance for all of us to get together…" she said trailing off.
"You agree but…" Tanya asked sensing that something was off in her tone.
"Tanya, please don't kill me but I won't be able to make it to Adam's concert."
"Kat are you serious?"
She nodded.
"Why not?"
"Tanya, I have a really important business meeting with some clients from England that afternoon."
"Can't you come afterwards?"
"I don't think so; we're going to have dinner that evening so I'm not sure how long that will last."
"Kat…" she said pouting.
"Tanya, trust me I would be there in a heartbeat but I've been terribly busy these days running my dance studio. I had no idea how hectic it is trying to run your own business," Kat said sighing.
"Kat, I understand I just wish you could be there," Tanya said wrapping her arm around her best friend.
"Thanks for understanding, trust me if I could I would totally be there."
"I know you would."
"Well, you, Rocky, and Aisha should get together and go see him."
"Yeah we should," she agreed.
"I have Aisha's number so I'll give her call once I finally get settled in."
"Good idea, my friend well let's finish getting you unpacked so we can go grab something to eat," Kat said standing to her feet lifting open one of her unopened boxes…
"I think that's everything," Tanya said lying back on her bed.
She completely forgot how exhausting it was moving and unpacking could be it had been several years since she had to do so.
"It's better to get everything done now so that's it less to deal with later right?" Kat laughed sitting next to her.
"So, about dinner…" Tanya said.
"Of course what are you in the mood for?"
"I don't know," Tanya said peering at the white ceiling.
"There's a nice burger joint near here that me and my coworkers like to go to," Kat suggested.
"No, I'm definitely not in a mood for a burger."
"Well, there's a nice Asian buffet down the street."
"Sorry, Kat I'm not really feeling that either."
"Well, how about some pizza, there's a good pizza joint in this area."
"Pizza sounds good."
That was it although she was not sure why she was craving that but it was definitely what she wanted.
"Great, so when you want to head out?"
Tanya sighed. "I hate to ask but do they deliver?"
"Yeah, they do…so I'm taking that you don't want to go out for dinner?"
Tanya shook her head. "I'm sorry girl but all this unpacking has worn me out."
"I understand, I'll go find the number for delivery," she said chuckling.
"Thanks Kat you're the best."
"Don't I know," she called as she stepped out of Tanya's room shutting the door behind her.
Tanya lied back allowing her body to melt into the softness of her bed. It felt great being able to finally kick back and relax. Her body and mind were not in sync with one another. Her body was at rest while her mind was racing, with all sorts of thoughts. She reached over grabbing the small photo album that was lying on top of her chestnut dresser next to her bed.
She flipped straight to the page that contained to that black and white photo.
Tanya and fellow rangers gained new Turbo powers, and a new team member in the process. She peered at his face they didn't need to stand next to each other to show their affections for one another. Tanya smiled remembering how she grabbed his hand at the very last second before the flash went off. She laughed again remembering how Adam complained so much about his having to grow out his hair. She had tried telling him on several occasions how much she enjoyed running her fingers through it. The memories those dear sweet memories, how great if felt being able to reminiscence about them.
She fixated her eyes on Adam. Tanya couldn't believe that she would be getting the chance to see him again. It had been such a long time since they last seen one another. Letters, emails can only go so far; nothing can substitute the feelings that one has being able to physical hold someone you truly cared for. She ran over fingers over his face, she couldn't get over the many memories this single photo held...
"So what are your plans for the rest of this week?" Kat asked taking a bite of the supreme pizza they ordered.
Tanya leaned back in the black lacquer chair. "I planned on spending some time with my parents since they are in town this week and then, hitting up Aisha so we can talk about the job at her radio talk show."
"You're starting next week right?"
"Right, first thing Monday."
"Wow, how exciting that you're getting to work with Aisha!"
Tanya nodded. "Yes, I'm totally psyched about working at for her radio show. Radio hosting has also been a dream of mines as well, so when the opportunity came around I had to jump on it. Don't get me wrong singing has always been a desire of mines, but now I'm looking to settle down and find some stability so when Aisha presented this opportunity to me there was no question I knew it fated for me to take the job."
"Yeah, I totally understand how you feel. Coming back here to Angel Grove to open up my business seemed like the right thing to do as well. I enjoyed London so much, but it seemed like something was drawing me back here."
"Right, it's almost as if faith has brought us back here for a reason," Tanya said.
"Yeah, it does funny how destiny works huh?" Kat laughed.
Tanya couldn't agree more, it was truly wonderful how life and fate worked in sync with one another.
"Well, whatever it is that's bought us here, I have no complaints, I've missed everyone so much," Kat said reaching over grabbing Tanya's hands.
"Yeah, same here," she said clutching her hand.
"I don't know what it is either but I'm glad it is bringing us all back together."
It was awesome to hear that she and her best friend shared the same sentiments on how they were beginning to reconnect their lives with one another.
"How are things with you and Tommy…I'm sorry Dr. Oliver," Tanya snickered.
Kat chuckled sucking in a deep breath. "He's doing fine; I talked to him right before I came to pick you up. He's attending a conference in Berkeley now."
"When was the last time you guys saw each other?"
"About a month ago, whenever I first moved back to Angel Grove."
"That's good that you got to see him."
"Yeah, it was. I just wish we could…settle down together."
Tanya peered at Kat. "You mean as in settling down and getting married?"
"Well…not exactly more like us being able to actually spend more time together as opposed to see each other once or twice month."
"But you guys were together for a while in England."
Kat nodded. "Yes, and it was great…but Tommy didn't enjoy it all. He tried so hard but I could tell that it just wasn't his thing…so you know what they say if you truly love someone sometimes you have to let them go and if things are meant to happen they will come back…" she said lowering her head.
The sadness in Kat's tone was quite clear and she didn't know that it would bring about such feeling.
"Girl, I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"
"No…no…Tanya its fine it is what it is…we have on and off for a long time so…I'm used to it," she said sighing.
"You never know maybe now that you're back in town too…things could change you never know," she said with reassurance.
"I know," Kat replied with a smile.
"Hey Berkeley isn't too far from here so maybe he could drop by for a visit."
"That's true we've talked about it and I told him that you were moving back into town, and he said that he would definitely come down for a visit."
"Really?! That's awesome, see Kat all is not lost!" she said with excitement.
"I know…I know." Kat said with laughter…
"I think I'm going to call it a night," Tanya said yawning.
"Alright, well I have some paperwork I need to finish going over, so if you need anything I'll still be up for a while."
"Thanks girl."
"No, problem." Kat said disappearing inside her office.
Tanya made her way back over to her bedroom flopping on her made up bed. She turned peering out the window besides her bed. What a day it had been, flying in, unpacking and getting settled in and finding out that many of her best friends were still in town was a lot to take in all in one day. Her thoughts slowly started drifting back to him. She couldn't help but to smile at the thought that she would be able to see him again. They hadn't seen in each other in such a long time, and her mind started wondering about.
What if he moved on and had someone else or he just simply didn't want anything to do with her?
Tanya sucked in a long deep breath recoiling herself and remembering that he was not that type of person, even if he was seeing someone else he would never discard her like that, as if she didn't matter anymore. They not only dated but they shared a history together as power rangers if that wasn't a bond then she wasn't sure what else could be. With these thoughts in mind she continued peering at the window drifting in and out of sleep.
