It was yet another muggy August day. So Magdalene Masters had opted to pull her long auburn and plum hair into a French braid and wear a lovely rose pink sundress. She did hope this week's coffee date would be better then last week. Hopefully, things have become a bit brighter then last week. She quickly flew to Brooke's Brew and then reverted to human form.
She then power walked to the table where Kate and Jackie were waiting for her. They, too, had decided to wear colorful sundresses. Kate's was buttercup yellow while Jackie's was chartreuse. They greeted each other happily before gossiping away. The first thing the couple asked Mag was how her family was.
She answered they were doing well enough. The kids were upset summer vacation was over. However, they'd already gotten back into their school routine. She also mentioned her best friend Leta had returned to their hometown of Meridian, Idaho. Her mother, Zoe, had gallbladder removal surgery the previous week.
So Leta went home to help with her mother's recovery. Her wife minded their shop here. Plus watching over their daughter Rainbow. Leta hadn't wanted to take a chance her baby could catch something.
She then asked what was going on with their families. The couple answered that there was a big family reunion coming up. They're going to combine both families and meet up in Florida. "Hmm, that sounds wonderful. I hope you pack enough sunscreen and bug spray," Mag commented thoughtfully.
"We most certainly will. However, we've mixed feelings about the reunion," said Kate. Mag raised an eyebrow. "Oh, how so?" she inquired, to which the beautiful doctor replied.
"Again, my parents are a mixed race couple. I'm also a confirmed lesbian. Most of that still hasn't gone over well with my mother's side of the family. Again, she's of Indian descent, and my grandparents are extremely traditional. They've come around some but still have mixed feelings about my parents."
"I'm fortunate my parents never had a problem with my sexuality. However, many of our neighbors back in Louisiana had a problem with it."
"This is so ridiculous! People shouldn't have to live in fear of being themselves. No one is getting hurt by people being themselves. Furthermore, no one is an abomination in the eyes of God. So they should stop misusing His name. Live and let live.
I hate the government still thinks it is their business to say what the LGBTQ community can and cannot do! It's not! They've no right to tell a person how to live their lives. You're doing nothing wrong, and it affects no one directly! My best friend Leta deals with the same problem. And I can tell you this. She truly hates it as well!"
Jackie sipped her latte before replying. "Yes, it's stupid all around. The world needs to get with the times. But what do you expect right now? With how much hate and violence is going on in the world? The world's falling to pieces as we speak. And I don't mean that figuratively.
We're only speeding up the approaching Dooms Day due to climate change. The end of the world will be a direct result of humanity itself. Not some otherworldly nonsense."
"I agree with my wife. It's such a shame there is so much hate in the world. Plus too much stereotyping. I mean, everyone assumes teenage only care about themselves.
So that's why I was so happy to find a video on YouTube proving that theory isn't true. In the video, a teenager was given three minutes to fill up his cart with whatever he wanted. Then the guys issuing the challenge would pay for it. But, of course, they expected him to put nothing but junk food and video games in it.
Instead, he bought cleaning supplies, things for babies, a microwave, and a frying pan. He was thinking of his family, not himself. So that disproves the theory teenagers are selfish," Kate spoke up with a smile.
"I know that hate is a strong word. However, I'll never tolerate any discrimination against anyone. People need to pull their heads out of their asses!" remarked Mag passionately.
"We must have riled you up again. Seeing how you don't swear or not often," Jackie noted. "It's fine, Jackie. I'm not nearly as angry as last week. I only wish humanity would show a bit more compassion these days. Valuing life and showing empathy for others."
"It does appear you're correct, Magdalene. Humanity has truly fallen from grace. But, unfortunately, we've long forgotten the fundamental lessons the Lord bestowed upon us at the beginning," Kate replied sadly.
"If only more people could see the world through other's eyes. Again demonstrate compassion and empathy to think of others before themselves. The world would be so much better off if we could remember what it means to be human. To better ourselves and this world for all future generations," Mag replied in a bittersweet tone.
Jackie then spoke up. "Still, we can't make a blanket statement that all humanity has forgotten what it means to be human. Although the scale seems to tip in the wrong direction? We still need to remember there are good people still out there. Even if it feels like the rotten ones outweigh them currently."
"Jackie's right. You can't make a blanket statement. You can judge a country or even the world as a whole. The actions of some are not the actions of all. We can only judge each individual for themselves. And that's only after getting to know them. We must try to be a little optimistic. Not overly optimistic, but still have some faith things will get better," concurred Kate, to which everyone nodded in agreement.
"True words have never been spoken. I'm glad all three of us are on the same page. But, it still saddens me how many people only focus on the difference instead of the similarities," Mag paused for a moment to nibble on a muffin.
Wiping her lips, she continued. "We are all the Children of God, after all. Everyone has human DNA. More to the point? We all live under the same sky, sun, and moon. We all walk the same ground. We all consume the harvests of this world. Most importantly? We all desire the freedom to live our lives free of fear.
Freedom to live our lives without others condemning us. If only humanity could remember that fundamental lessons. Which is the first one God taught us to show respect, kindness, and empathy towards others. To live in love and leave a legacy of love.
You don't have to do anything more significant in this life then simple everyday acts of love. As long as you live in love and give love back to the world? Then you do not need to fear anything else."
"You're quite the sage when you desire to be, Magdalene," Kate noted proudly, to which Mag could only smile. "I'm so happy to hear such a compliment, Kate. So thank you. I do hope you're imparting such life lessons onto Dominique."
"Don't even fret about that. We've made sure were are raising our daughter to be a good person. So you need not fear that," Jackie assured her.
"Well, I'm delighted to hear that. I understand its not easy for any of us regarding our children. Since my children are hybrids, and your child has a Ghost Gene. It's strange to think a random mutation could grant humans such otherworldly powers. Yet here we are."
"We believe its a blessing that Dominique had been granted such amazing power. We only can hope she uses those powers responsibly. Which is what we're doing our best to encourage," Jackie replied, to which Mag smiled.
"I've no doubt you're doing a great job. You two are extremely courageous individuals. Therefore, I do not doubt all our children will thrive. But also change both worlds for the better."
"We're honored by the compliment as well. However, we must return home to get ready for the family reunion. While the Ghost Zone schools have resumed? The human ones in this area haven't yet. So we must get ready for our trip. It was nice chatting with you, Mag," Kate replied as they shook hands.
"I'm quite pleased about it as well. Perhaps one day you can join my other friends for coffee? It'd be a treat."
"We'd like that a lot, Magdalene. See you soon!" as Jackie and Kate left in their Lexis. Mag only smiled before finding a secluded location to transform so she might return home quickly. This coffee date was much better then last week's!
Magdalene- Julie Bowen- Queen Arianna Tangled the Series
Dr. Kate Wyler Pretend voice actress Sandra Bullock:
Detective Jackie Devlin Pretend voice actress Brooke Elliot star of Drop Dead Diva.
