Gravity

Chapter 1

Slowly I began to fade into consciousness. Still extremely groggy, I stretched my limbs out in bed trying to loosen up the soreness from my stiff muscles that I knew all too well we're the result from an intense nightmare.  I peeked over at the clock on my nightstand seeing it was just before 6am. Sighing I threw the sweat soaked sheets off of me deciding to shower off the sticky grime I felt all over knowing that trying to go back to sleep at this point would be futile.
The ice cold water cascaded over my overheated skin. I allowed it to wash over me trying to drown out the vivid memories of my nightmare. Grabbing my pink loofa I scrubbed away the grossness that I had woke up in until my skin was nearly raw. It seemed no matter how hard I scrubbed I still didn't feel clean. Shaking the feeling off I was out and dressed for work in mere minutes.

"You look like hell."
"Good morning to you too Amy."
"Another nightmare I'm guessing.." I rolled my eyes not surprised by my roommates statement and walked straight passed her to my lifeline...coffee.
"Seriously Joslyn...you need to talk to someone about that. It's getting a little out of hand."
"Amy it's not that big of deal. Really. I am fine." Leaning against the counter holding my coffee cup up to my face for some comforting warmth, I was suddenly met face to face with her serious concern.
"I just worry about you. That's all."
"I know but I promise you I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
"Ok...well how about some drinks and a little karaoke after work tonight? Say 8:00 at WhiteHorse Tavern?"
"I'd say you know the way to my heart."
"Always! I'll see you tonight and you better be dressed to impress if you're going out with me. Got it?"
"Amy I don't..."
"No! I don't want to hear it" she cut me off. " You are never going to meet anyone working all the time or with your nose in a book! So dress hot! I'll see you later. I have to run. I mean what I said!"
"Ok ok. I'll see you later. "
I let out a deep sigh after she shut the door behind her. Amy Jones had not only been my roommate but my best friend over the last several years. We met through a mutual friend back in our college years and decided to take on NYC together. We lived in an amazing overly priced apartment in the West Village that neither one of us was home enough to enjoy with Amy being pretty much constantly on call for work as a photo journalist for one of NYC's top magazine companies and I worked a lot of over time as a cosmetologist to keep from being home alone. Don't get me wrong it was worth every penny that we paid for it. The west village was an amazing place to live! It had the best shopping spots tucked well within the brownstones and red brick buildings that stood tall along the cobblestone streets lined with dogwood trees that bloomed pinks and whites in the spring.
Once outside our 12th street apartment the sounds and smells invaded my soul on the warm April morning. I took a deep refreshing breath filling my lungs before  quickly jumping in pace with the early morning hustle and bustle to take the 5 minute walk to work.

Arriving early I took the opportunity to enjoy another cup of coffee before opening the salon beginning my day. The Whittmore House Salon (in my opinion) was the absolute best place to work. I got hired on here a couple years ago fresh out of school where I was taught by the top elite of stylist....which I'm sure helped me land the job in one of NYC's top hair salons.

By 1:00 my Wednesday had been a total blur but very productive that I worked right through lunch. Feeling my stomach rumble demand to be fed I let Tony know I was heading out to grab a bite to eat. On my way out of the door to my favorite deli my phone just had to start ringing. Stopping in the middle of the sidewalk to dig my phone out of my purse I heard several curse at me for disrupting "traffic". About the fourth ring I finally found it.
"Hello? Joslyn here. " I answered taking my place back on track for food.
"Hey Joss. It's Larry. Larry King. How are you."
"Oh wow! Uh hey I'm good. Long time no see....well talk rather."
"Listen I'm great but I am in desperate need of a HUGE favor. My assistant double book me for a couple of upcoming assignments and I'm needing someone to fill in for me with one of my clients. As you are the best, next to me of course, you are my only hope. "
"Are you serious right now?" I stopped again in shock getting more cursing from people being in their way. "Larry King my once mentor now famous London stylist needs MY help?"
"Yes. Very. What do you say?" He asked with what sounded like anxiousness in his voice.
"Well I'm sure I could probably work something out. Yeah. I'll uh...I'll talk with Angie when you send me the info."
"Don't worry about Angie I'll take care of her. I'll send you an email shortly with all the details."
"Ok. Sounds great. And Larry...."
"Yeah?"
"You owe me."
"Oh trust me.... I know. Thank you again. Talk to you soon"
And the line went dead. How crazy was that? Larry King calling me for help? I took another moment to collect myself before jumping back in again for a second time in the lunch rush to finish my quest for food.
I couldn't wait for tonight to tell Amy and get her intake on all of this. Larry King worked with the top of the top of famous clients and this was one hell of an opportunity, but something about it seemed odd. I haven't spoken to Larry in years and one day he is calling me on my cell for help of all things. Hopefully Amy could help me figure it all out at the bar.