Fridays with Parker, was what Kristina had secretly named their coffees together. She never told Parker because it implied the tragic theme of a similarly named novel* and Parker wasn't dying by any means. It was exactly the opposite. Parker was a source of everything that was good - buoyant - about living.
From the very first day Kristina heard Parker say that quote in class - words that really spoke to the very core of her - something had changed in Kristina and the change was epic. It was an awakening, like a part of Kristina that she never knew existed was suddenly released. It ran free and wild and had a spirit of its own that made Kristina unconquerable. It was a new power to be everything she was meant to be; to feel everything she was meant to feel. Parker gave her that and Kristina couldn't let go of her gift. And every time they met for coffee, it always amazed Kristina how many more boxes of discovery were nested in it.
They had met several Fridays in a row and Kristina had written a diary entry for each one. She always arrived earlier than their scheduled time so she could watch Parker walk into the coffee shop. A routine developed when Kristina got there; order a double espresso soy latte for her and a steaming bold coffee for Parker ("Make it extra hot," she told the Barista), settle into the booth for two, set up her iPad and keyboard, place their coffees to the right of it, place the books she researched to discuss on her left (Parker's right), check her phone for the time, then look toward the entrance on 3-2-1.
Parker entered, smiled and waved to Kristina from the coffee shop door. Kristina had seen Parker earlier that day in class, but she looked different now, fresher, prettier, even her clothes looked sharper. Her stride toward the booth was long and direct but to Kristina, every step Parker took was in slow motion.
During their first meetings they sat across from each other. It was exciting for Kristina to look in Parker's eyes this close. In class, Parker was for everyone, at coffee she was just Kristina's. Her and Parker. Parker and her. It's like the whole world fell away; the hissing cappuccino maker, the chalked sign boards, the tippity tap of keyboards, the steady hum of conversation, the clink of ceramic mugs and plates. Everything. gone. There was only Parker and the sky.
"'Whatever is done for love always occurs beyond good and evil.'" Parker said waiting for Kristina to process the aphorism.
"Okay, we did this. You gave us a reading a couple of weeks ago," Kristina said. She stared out the window for a moment, then it gradually came to her. "It has a nihilist ring to it, that philosophical thingy you talked about. This quote throws out the commonly accepted idea that anything done in the name of love is ultimately good...Nee-something...it's uh...Nietzsche!"
"I think you're the only student this semester who really gets this and who's really excited about it, too. Now what does it mean to you?" Parker challenged.
"Oh, that's easy," Kristina said flippantly. She reflected on Ethan, Keifer, Trey, and her time in jail for attempting to murder Connie. "That's my life."
Parker raised an eyebrow with an air of curiosity and Kristina poured out her story at Parker's feet. Kristina trusted that nothing would change between them regardless of what she said.
On another coffee Friday, Kristina arrived after Parker for a change, but for good reason. Parker could see Kristina beaming all the way from the cafe's entrance and it matched the spirit in which she bounced into their booth.
"Look what I have," Kristina sing-sang as she pulled a book out of her bag and held it close to her chest concealing its title. "Remember you were talking about wanting to get a copy of 'The Act of Creation' by Koestler but it was out of print?"
Kristina turned the book around to show the treasure she had found.
"How did you get that?" Parker said in awe. "The first edition hasn't been run since the 1960's."
"Let's just say I know people, who know people."
"You're definitely resourceful," Parker said, examining the book in disbelief. "So really, tell me how you did it."
Kristina said nothing and instead responded with a knowing smile; she was quite pleased with herself. The genuine admiration in Parker's face confirmed that she should be.
* "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom