New Orleans was alive, much like it always was, people strolling, shopping, sight seeing. It was easy to disappear in a crowd if you wanted to. But, Nola was a different kind of fish all together and she liked to take her chases battling the currents for the treasures they held. That's why she was weaving her way through the shops lazily and taking her time to stroll and look. When the word lazy is used here, I mean extremely. The flip flops on her feet showcased her small painted toes, one of each color in the rainbow in both feet. A silver toe ring winked in the late evening sun on the second toe of her right foot. Long legs showcased a beautiful tan that disappeared into a pair of blue jean shorts that spanned a pair of gently rounded hips.
The tank top with the dress shirt thrown over with the sleeves rolled to her elbows as it caught the small breeze and danced with it polished off her attire. But, it was the laugh and the bright small as she conversed with two tourist that caught the attention mostly. Her long hair was pulled back on the sides by a silver clip that rested at the crown of her head. Her movements were animated as she spoke, her hands moving to tell the story she might have been spinning. But no, she was simply talking about New Orleans, the sounds, the sights, the aromas. It all captured her interested and had her being for more. That's why she was here. New York may have been diverse in people. But, New Orleans was unique and eclectic in it's culture. Do, rich and alive it made her feel alive again and had her waiting to absorb it all.
Three months ago she had disappeared as she always does. But, not before buying her home in West End. It was close enough to the Quarter to still access the place easily enough, but it was also near the water. And she had a thing about water. In fact, around her neck hung a small vial, within it was white sand settled at the bottle and a very small shell rested there. But, the vial was filled with sea water. The sand from her home. It was an interesting and different choice for jewelry. Small multicolored earrings made of small sea shells danced in her ears. Her wide brimmed hat rested in one hand with her small hand purse. She had been in the quarter for the better part of the day, exploring her new home since she hadn't had the chance to do so after buying her home. The pulled of the ocean was to great for her at the time, but now......Oh, now she had all the time in the world.
"I'm so glad you enjoyed them!" Her words were sincere and happy as she listened to the woman talk about the adventure/romance novels Nola had written. "I'll tell you what.." She started to dig into the small purse and came up with a pen and a small scrape of paper. "Give me your hotel and room number and I'll be sure you have a copy of the new book by the end of the day." Her smile was contagious, wide, happy, and loving life.
"But, it's not even out yet!" The woman exclaimed.
"That's the beauty of being a writer, you get the books before anyone else." With a husky laugh she wrote down the woman's information and gave her a hug. A hug that had the six foot writer bending slightly. After a few minutes and a wave from both the women Nola went on her way. Her wide brim straw hat was swept up and dropped onto her head and she adjusted her sunglasses on her nose with her fingers. It was good to be back on land, while she loved the ocean and all it's creatures, she loved watching people, learning them. It helped with her books. Speaking of books, she wanted to forget about the a while. So where did she head, why to the only place she knew of that had skee ball. The arcade.
