WHEN ALL YOU NEED IS FAITH

She just wanted to sit outside with her favorite person (or bully as the case may be) and enjoy the evening. No expectations from anyone, other than Faith. That is how Hope had lived life. If there were no expectations, then there were no disappointments and no failures. She had worked too hard to establish her own company. Still in this day and age, women entrepreneurs were few and far between. She had broken the glass ceiling. She was the sole and rightful owner to Heaven's Angel Food. A non-profit that had been established based on the need of feeding the most abused and neglected - the four legged kind (rescue animals of any nature). Were it not for Faith, the idea would not have come to fruition. Heaven was not for sure who rescued who. She only knew that she needed Faith.

Sitting outside the Pupsicle Cafe, the waitress, Lacie, (who immediately recognized Faith and Heaven) asked "Your usual, Heaven. The Merlot - Château Canon-la-Gaffelière?" Heaven smiled, "Absolutely, Lacie. And if okay, can I have a cup of ice for Faith?" Lacie nodded. "I'll be right back with your order." Heaven enjoyed this time. It was just she and Faith. She was able to walk from Heaven's Angel Food corporate offices to Pupsicle Cafe. Lacie returned. She placed the Merlot and cup of ice on the table. "If you need anything else, just let me know." Heaven acknowledged her kindness. She reached into her handbag and pulled out Faith's water dish. Faith knew what was about to happen. She loved ice. Heaven poured the ice into her dish. The evening was balmy, with a whisper of wind blowing. The shadows of the sun were dipping behind the clouds. Almost as if they were playing hide and seek with each other. Heaven inhaled. Life was good. Life was going as she had planned.

Heaven enjoyed watching the patrons as they would come and go. She loved the fact that the Cafe had their regulars. There was one particular individual though who captured Heaven's attention this night. He did not have a pet with him. Most of the regulars knew they could bring their 4-legged best friends with them. He did not seem as if knew anyone. He was sitting beside himself. He was not unpleasant to the eye. He was, if Heaven wanted to admit to herself, quite sexy. He had the bluest eyes and the longest blonde hair she had seen. Most of her male friends, if you could say she had friends, were like acquaintances due to her business. They were more the suit and tie kind of fellows. From the look of his khakis and sweater, he seemed very laid back.

She watched as Lacie returned to check on her and then saw him. Lacie let out a squeal. "Mazdon, you did not tell me you were coming by tonight!" He stood and Heaven watched as Lacie jumped into a big hug given by "Mazdon". He was smiling and hugging Lacie just as tight. In all the times that Heaven had patronized Pupsicles Cafe, she had never seen Lacie with a significant other. Who was this new visitor to the scene?

You know sometimes you get the feeling that you are being watched. Mazdon had that feeling. He hugged his little sister. Looking over Lacie's shoulder he saw HER. She was a true copy of a young Marilyn Monroe. From her coiffed hair to those bedroom eyes and pouty red lips - she was unbelievably perfection. He then noticed what was laying at her feet. Not just a bulldog, but by the hot pink toe nail polish, he was going to assume a female bulldog. She was snoring rather loudly. As she was snoring, her little lips would pucker in and out. The view brought a smile to Mazdon's face.

Lacie was watching Mazdon. She knew what or should she say "who" had captured his attention. How could you not take a second look? Heaven did not realize the picture she painted sitting with her bulldog. Lacie asked her big brother if he would like an introduction. When he did not respond after the same question twice, Lacie punched him in the shoulder. "Hey lover boy would you like an introduction to my friend?" Lacie inquired.

Mazdon laughed. "Is it that obvious?" Lacie laughed. "Yes, very obvious. Come on." Mazdon followed his baby sister to the "her" table. He expected the bulldog to wake. Nope, that didn't happen. Not even a budge.

Heaven was enjoying the evening. Faith was resting. No conversation. No questions. No worries at this moment until she saw Lacie walking towards her table with HIM. Whether she wanted it not, Heaven was about to find out who this handsome stranger was. Bets were either boyfriend or already fiance. Either way, an introduction was about to take place.

Lacie was beaming. Heaven could tell she was happy about the surprise she was bringing to Heaven's table. Lacie approached the table with a big smile. "Heaven, I want you to meet my big brother, Mazdon. Mazdon, I want you to meet, not just our best patron, but a dear friend, Heaven." Heaven breathed a sigh of relief. It was her big brother.

"Nice to meet you, Mazdon. Would you care to join me?" Heaven inhaled. Did she just ask him to sit with her. Before she could second guess her new found bravery, Mazdon pulled the chair out and sat down. He looked down at the bulldog. Still no movement. Only the sound of blissful sleep. Heaven noted his interest in Faith. She reached down to rub Faith's head. Faith opened her eyes barely. Heaven commented to Mazdon "Meet my guard dog, she's ferocious, can you tell? Her name is Faith." Mazdon bent down to rub Faith. She was giving a bit of a stink eye. Hope looked at Mazdon. Not only was he good looking, but that throaty laugh was just plain down right sexy.

Mazdon turned to his little sister, Lacie. "Lacie, if you can, will you bring me my favorite?" Lacie stated with a cheekish grin "absolutely, I will bring you your favorite." Heaven noticed the exchange but did not make anything of it. Lacie returned and placed the glass before him. "Big brother, here is your Merlot - Château Canon-la-Gaffelière." Lacie winked at Heaven. Mazdon noticed. "Did I just miss something?" He looked at Heaven. Heaven laughed. "No, it seems that both you and I enjoy the same wine...the Merlot - Château Canon-la-Gaffelière. What are the odds?"

Mazdon could not believe the events of the evening. He looked at Heaven. Something was about to take place. He felt it. He knew it. The conversation continued into the night. Both Hope and Mazdon had no idea what changes were about to take place in their lives.

There is that one moment when all you need is faith.

To be continued.