AN: S.M. owns Twilight. I own my grey hairs and wrinkles!
Chapter eight. Go east young things!
So Nan,
Here I am driving Mimi the Mini Minor and following are Steve and Vlad in their Camry. They have been sweet enough to drive me up to Taos, and help check everything out with me. Vlad has to return to the salon after a week, but Steve might stay a little longer. He says it depends on how inspired he feels exploring new places. I guess we'll see when we get there.
I'm excited, nervous and worried all at the same time. I've got the keys, the map and a folder of papers including the valuation list of art, and some names and contact details of some of the Taos locals who may help us.
I hope people are friendly and welcoming. I know you stayed there a while and loved it in Taos and all of the amazing colours and landscape nearby.
I used to love spending time with you exploring the countryside, hunting for minerals and gems. There might be things worth finding in the land around Taos.
Catching some of the phrases you wrote in a notebook, found buried at the bottom of the trunk, gave me goose bumps and shivers all over.
'dreaming slow and sweet under the shaded veranda'
'even through closed eyes, I sense your presence making your way through the long grass over to me at the water's edge'
'nothing and no one could draw me in more deeply, drowning in your taste and heat, I no longer feel any part of myself, you have touched and delved all with me, a wild dance possessing encompassing devouring, not a cell remains unchanged'
'nothing remains the same; all is transmuted transformed beyond measure, bigger than the clear night sky, endless and infinite'
'beyond words just pure breath, I lose myself in you and you me'
In your life and soul, poetry ran deep.
I'm proud to read those words and be your granddaughter. I love you Nan.
Things are fun driving along through the countryside. You and grandad were driving through this very same area in the 1950's and 60's. The cars in those photos with you are some sort of Fords or Chevys; I'm not so good with identifying car makes and models. But whatever they are, you both look happy, weather-beaten and tired.
It looks as if you both spent a lot of time travelling. Was it all to do with grandad's job as a geologist, or did you both just enjoy life on the open road?
Did you meet Marcus while you were travelling through Taos, or was it somewhere else?
And how did Marcus get you to start modelling for him?
Had you done it before, or was it a surprise to be asked?
Did you have much in common with this mysterious artist who was older and a migrant from a little place in Europe?
Was there an attraction between you and him and grandad?
The letters and diary entries hint at attraction, but it is never stated outright.
Maybe I'm imagining too much.
I'm hoping that Marcus kept your letters Nan, and that I can get a clear picture of your lives. I'd love to see your descriptions of the time you spent with him, and what being with him meant to you.
It's time to try and go to sleep now, although I'm tried from driving , there's a part of my brain that wants to learn the answers that keep bugging me about your life and it's mysteries.
I get a kick out of your reviews!
