Smoke And Mirrors, Part 20

This fictional story contains adult themes and descriptions. If such offends
you, read no further.  All persons and situations depicted are fictional, any
similarities to real persons or events is purely coincidental. All rights
reserved. This story cannot be reproduced without the written prior approval
of the author. You can notify the author at del999@yahoo.com.

Smoke & Mirrors
Part 20: The Helpful Neighbor:

Serge and Giselle took their usual pew at St. Jude's Catholic Church.
Giselle's mind was not on the service. She was still thinking about what had
transpired this morning. As she reached for her reading glasses, she saw the
gold lighter in her purse. This again reminded of her of all her problems.
She still couldn't believe that she had gone along with Serge's crazy idea.
She had agreed to it, but she was still very anxious. She realized that there
was no going back now. She had given Serge her word.

Ignoring the service, she mind was filled with thoughts of what she knew she
must do. What would it be like? It smelled disgusting. She hoped that it
wouldn't be too difficult. After all, she thought, so many young people were
now smoking. If the teenagers could learn to smoke, she figured that
certainly an adult woman could learn to do it too. She prayed that she would
have the strength. She knew that once she became committed to an idea, she
rarely failed. She would persevere.

As Father Michael walked up to the podium to deliver his sermon, Giselle's
attention was drawn back to the service. As the priest began, it became
evident that the theme of the sermon was going to be "Compromise." He spoke
with determination "What is important in people's lives is to sometimes make
sacrifices- You may have to put your own needs and beliefs aside, so that you
can recover a relationship that has gone astray- Words said in anger, are
often difficult to recant- This is especially important when it happens
amongst family members- Sometimes you have to do things that are against your
own belief structure in order to make peace- Always, honor the Ten
Commandments- But please learn to be flexible- Don't be stubborn-  If it's
for the benefit of reestablishing a friendship or a relationship with a loved
one- Let go- give way from your harsh position.- It will all turn out for the
best- Begin with the end in mind- It is the word of the Lord," he said
solemnly as he carefully placed his written sermon in his bible and closed it
loudly. The sound of the bible closing punctuated his last remark.

Giselle had listened intently to Father Michael's message. She had glanced
over at Serge who was nodding silently in agreement. Ironically, his message
had seemed to be specifically designed to help her with her problem. The
timing of this sermon seemed heaven sent. Was God giving her sign, a sign of
his approval to do this for her daughter? It just couldn't be a coincidence.
It had to be a sign, it just had to be. She became excited, realizing that
now she had the courage to proceed. She would wait for Danielle at the front
of the church. She would invite her over for coffee just as Serge had
suggested. "Begin with the end in mind," she said to herself.

The service finally ended, and the parishioners slowly shuffled out of the
church. Giselle had hurried out of the church, making sure to get there
before Danielle was able to get out the front entrance. Giselle stood at the
bottom of the stairs, waiting anxiously. Finally she saw Danielle reach the
doorway. She waved at her smiling, and then casually motioned for her to come
over.

Danielle was alone as she always was. She and her husband had been planning a
child when the accident had happened. It had been three years since Peter had
been killed by the drunk driver. It had happened while he was driving home
from work. It was in the news. A drunk had run a red light, striking the
driver's side of his car, killing him almost instantly. Serge, Giselle and
Suzanne had gone to the funeral, but despite being next-door neighbors, they
had not attended the reception at the house. Giselle had thought it was more
for family than for neighbors. She had never been a real friend of
Danielle's, concentrating most of her attention on Suzanne. She realized that
during these past weeks since Suzanne had been at college, she now had more
time on her hands. There was less turmoil in the house, but it seemed
strangely quiet all the time. She had begun to feel lonely. She seemed to
have lost her purpose in life. Giselle had never developed any true friends.
She felt terribly alone. Serge had always been supportive, but he had his
work to keep him occupied. She had only had Suzanne. And now Suzanne had gone
off to college. After today's episode, they weren't even talking. She felt
sad, but she was instilled with the desire to make the required sacrifice to
patch things up. She had to. Suzanne was all she had.

Danielle slowly made her way through the crowd of people that always gathered
at the front of the church. Danielle seemed a bit nervous as she reached out
to meet Giselle's extended hand. After making some small talk about the
weather and the sermon, Giselle mustered up the courage to ask Danielle to
come to the house for some coffee. As Danielle had not made any plans for the
afternoon, she accepted the invitation. Ironically, she had lived beside
these people for 6 years, and they have never been inside either of each
other's houses. Oh well it, would be interesting, she thought. They agreed
that Danielle would come over in about forty-five minutes. This would allow
Giselle time to get the coffee prepared. As the procession of cars snaked
there way out of the church parking lot, Serge motioned to Giselle to look to
the right. There she saw Danielle in her silver Camry. In her left hand
extended out the driver's window was a freshly lit cigarette. Serge and
Giselle smiled. At least she still smoked. That was good, wasn't it, she
thought to herself? This just might work, just as Serge had suggested.

After Giselle had arrived home, she put the coffee on and started to tidy up.
She retrieved a small china ashtray, from one of her back room closets, and
placed in on the kitchen table. She had never allowed anyone to smoke in her
house before, but today she would have to make an exception. After all, she
would have to smoke inside her house while she was learning. She didn't want
any of the other neighbors see her practicing her new hobby. She grinned,
thinking how silly this was. Giselle Leblanc, sneaking a cigarette, hiding
from her neighbors, like a teenager.

The doorbell rang, just as Serge was heading towards the garage. Sunday
afternoon was always set aside for a scheduled golf game with his buddies
from work. As Danielle entered, he grinned and waved to her. His bright plaid
pants were enough of an explanation as to where he was going. "You girls have
fun while I'm gone. I'll be back at 6:00 o'clock. See you," he said shutting
the door as he entered the garage. He wondered whether Giselle would have the
courage to go through with it.

Giselle invited Danielle to sit down at the kitchen table. Danielle had not
changed from her black skirt, and her white blouse. Her nails were perfectly
painted, and the emerald earrings she was wearing sparkled in the afternoon
sunlight streaming into the kitchen. Her hair was honey blonde, and was done
in a nicely styled pageboy. She was an attractive woman. She would not remain
unmarried for long, Giselle thought.

As Danielle sat down, she saw the small ashtray placed carefully on the
table. Oh what a relief, she thought to herself. She had dreaded the thought
that she would not be able to smoke during her visit. In fact she had already
made up an excuse that she could use to leave early if she found that she
needed a cigarette. She was curious. Giselle didn't look like the type to be
a smoker. She had never ever seen Giselle smoking. Giselle had always
appeared to be a bit stuck up, as she had never made any attempt to become
friends. "I wonder if she smokes. I doubt it," she thought. But, what a
pleasant surprise it would be if she did. She might have someone to smoke
with. She loved her cigarettes, and it made it easier being with a friend who
was also a smoker. She knew that some of the more judgmental parishioners had
a holier than thou attitudes against smoking. Hopefully, Giselle just might
be a closet smoker. She smiled at this thought.

After the coffees were poured and the ladies were seated, Danielle waited
patiently for Giselle to make the first move towards the ashtray. She waited.
More small talk. And waited- More small talk- She desperately needed a
cigarette!  She knew she should have had another cigarette when she had
arrived home, but felt she didn't want to be late.

Trying to hide the desperation in her voice, with her body screaming for a
cigarette. She finally said, "Giselle? Do you mind if I smoke," as she
motioned to the ashtray on the table.

Giselle was embarrassed. With all the preparation, and her nervousness she
had been unable to find the proper words to suggest that Danielle should
smoke. "Oh, I'm sorry, where are my manners, be my guest." Giselle said
trying to be as apologetic as possible.

Danielle reached into her purse and placed a pack of Misty 100's menthol on
the kitchen table. Giselle immediately noticed the rainbow colors on the
pack. She smirked again, thinking: those tobacco companies sure knew how to
package their illicit products. Giselle watched with interest as Danielle
placed the long cigarette in her lips, as she fumbled to locate her lighter.

"Oh, Damn I forgot my lighter at my house. Do you have any matches or a
lighter?"

Giselle eyes widened. She thought to herself. I don't even think we have a
book of matches in the house, never mind a lighter. Then it occurred to her.
She didn't have any other choice. Giselle reached into her purse and handed
Danielle the expensive Colibri lighter. Danielle smiled with relief but also
with a slight look of surprise on her face. She expertly lit the lighter and
brought it to its target. She inhaled voraciously, and then exhaled a long
plume of smoke through smiling satisfied lips. Giselle had never seen someone
smoke like this. She could see that Danielle seemed to love to smoke. Giselle
had never been around smokers before. She had never paid much attention to
anyone's smoking. But Danielle just looked like she was in total bliss. It
couldn't be that great to smoke- Her nose wrinkled involuntarily, as she was
disdainfully reminded of the unpleasant smell of the burning cigarette in her
pristine home. She knew that Danielle was about to ask her why she had
happened to have a lighter in her purse.

Danielle looked up from her burning cigarette, "Aren't you going to join me,
Giselle? You do smoke, don't you?" She said, smiling as she passed the
lighter back to Giselle.

Giselle was now at the point of no return. She had no way out. She did not
respond, totally at a loss for words.

Danielle broke the silence. "Well, I just assumed. A Colibri lighter is an
expensive lighter. Its very nice and it was in your purse." Danielle said as
she carefully examined the lighter.

Again no response. She wasn't going to let her off the hook.

"Are you one of those closet smokers? Giselle?" She said, smiling, as smoke
continued to escape from her mouth. "It's okay if you are. In today's
environment, a lot of people smoke in the privacy of their homes."

Giselle finally spoke. "Well, I'm a bit embarrassed, Danielle. I don't really
smoke, but my husband Serge has said that lately I've been very tense and
nervous since Suzanne went to college. I have a lot of time on my hands. The
other day, he jokingly remarked that maybe I should try smoking. They say it
relieves stress."

Danielle smiled as she nodded in agreement. "Yes, it certainly does." She
said as she exhaled another enormous plume.

"The other day when I was in the grocery store, I just picked up this lighter
and some cigarettes on a whim. The lighter was on sale and it looked so
elegant. I haven't even smoked yet. I was just sort of thinking about it."

God would forgive her for the small white lie. She knew she should try to
change the subject.

"Do you like smoking Danielle?" she asked with sincerity.

"Oh yes, I just love it. I find it totally relaxing and satisfying. It's the
best thing I ever did for myself. Its how should I say, comforting. I have
never regretted the day when I first started. It's surprising, but I started
rather late in life. I wish that I had started much earlier. I just adore
smoking."

Giselle had never ever heard anyone rave about smoking in this way. All she
had ever heard were all the negative things that she had read in the papers
or seen on television. She had never heard anyone say that they "adored" it.

"How did you start?" Giselle said, trying not to sound like she was prying.

Danielle took another deep long satisfying drag. "Well, you know Peter was
killed in a car accident three years ago, I saw you at the funeral. Thank you
for coming." Danielle said as her eyes began to tear up.

"Yes, I'm very sorry." Giselle said compassionately.

"Well after the funeral, I was a total basket case. I couldn't eat. I
couldn't sleep. I went to stay at my sister's house for a couple of weeks. I
felt so empty and alone. I just needed something to get me through the day. I
had never smoked, not even one cigarette before that. You know Catholic
parents and the guilt thing. It was something that just wasn't done in those
days. My younger sister smoked. She started when she went away to college
like a lot of girls do," she said as Giselle nodded in acknowledgment.

She continued, "One morning when I was sitting at the kitchen table feeling
very sorry for myself, I saw her smoking. Out of the blue, I asked her for a
cigarette. I don't know what came over me, but at that moment somehow I just
wanted to try it. At first, she was a bit reluctant to give me one. But I
insisted. She smokes Misty menthols too," pointing to the pack on the table.
Giselle continued to listen intently.

"I just puffed on the first few drags, not inhaling. It wasn't quite what I
expected, but it did give me something to distract me from my grief. I felt
rather silly knowing that I wasn't doing it right, so I asked her to show me
how to smoke. The way I was doing it wasn't that enjoyable. You know?" She
paused and dragged deeply on her cigarette.

"When I learned to inhale, it got a lot better. Every time I exhaled, I could
feel all the anger and resentment leaving my body. It was such a relief.
After about the fifth cigarette, I was able to inhale pretty well and the
dizziness went away." She said, smiling as she again took a long draw on her
cigarette. "My sister realized that there would be no stopping me. She told
me that if I wanted to learn to smoke, then I should smoke at least five
cigarettes every day. That way I would get used to it fairly quickly. That
wasn't much of a problem for me. By the time I left her house at the end of
the second week, I was smoking a half a pack a day. I've never looked back.
It doesn't take long to get accustomed to it. But once you get past that
initial stage, it becomes just heavenly. I just love smoking. You'll see,
when you try." she said, smiling as she looked Giselle straight in the eye.

Giselle was absolutely mesmerized by the story. She had never heard anyone
describe with such affection a habit, which in her own mind seemed to be so
disgusting. Her mind started to work. Maybe she had been a bit too narrow
minded about this whole smoking thing. Maybe it would be easier to learn to
smoke than she had thought. After all, it had only taken Danielle a couple of
weeks to learn.

Danielle's last remark about trying it had not gone unnoticed. This was the
moment of truth. She felt that she might even have enough courage to try.

"Does Suzanne smoke?" Danielle said rather nonchalantly, breaking the moment
of silence.

Giselle's eyes widened. Should she admit to her neighbor that her sweet
innocent daughter had just started smoking?

"Well, yes she does," she said with deep embarrassment on her face as her
head bowed down, not wanting to make eye contact.

"You don't have to be embarrassed, Giselle. Lighten up. A lot of girls her
age smoke. All the kids today think their parents are so prehistoric. That's
another reason to give it a try. It will give you something in common with
her. You know during those quiet moments when you are together smoking.
You'll see. She'll think it's --what do the kids say these days? Oh yeah! -
Really Kewl that her mom smokes," she said smiling.

"And of course you know that Father Michael smokes. He doesn't like anyone to
know about it, but he does smoke. I have spent many afternoons with him at
the rectory dealing with my grief, smoking up a storm. You know it isn't a
sin," she said smiling.

My God, Giselle thought, was this a conspiracy? First her husband, then
Danielle, and now even Father Michael.

As she raised her downcast eyes, she saw Danielle's outstretched hand holding
the pack of Misty's with a single cigarette extended from the rainbow colored
pack.

"Come on, Giselle. Give it a try. You won't regret this. I know I never have.
Just one. I'll show you how. It's not that hard to learn. And after all- it's
`Really Kewel'," she said, mimicking a Valley girl accent as she laughed.

Giselle laughed, but paused, not knowing what to do. She nervously extended
her hand taking the cigarette from the package, acting like it might bite
her.

"Good! There's still hope for you yet." Danielle said with far more
enthusiasm than Giselle was feeling.

She heard the lighter click as she brought the cigarette to her mouth. "What
do I do?" she said nervously.

"Suck gently, Giselle. Yes that's the way. Don't blow it out right away. Now
breathe in slowly through your mouth. Draw the smoke into your lungs. Good!
Now hold it for the count of 3."

Giselle counted in her head 1, 2, and 3.

"Now exhale very slowly." A small, yet discernable, bluish gray cone of
inhaled smoke was gently expelled from Giselle's apprehensive lips. Giselle's
eyes were as big as saucers.

"Don't you just love it?" she said trying to be enthusiastic.

She had done it. She hadn't even coughed. She was on her way. Danielle
thought to herself.

In the world of Nicotine Angels, there are two types: the "Evil" Nicotine
Angels and the "Good" Nicotine Angels. Giselle's soul had just been signed
away to a "Good Angel". Soon, she would unknowingly learn the bliss that
Danielle had described so perfectly. In the end, the result would still
remain the same. Giselle, like her daughter, would soon become devoted to her
cigarettes.

In this topsey turvey world we live in, we know that there are both forces of
good and evil. At times they are directed to the same objective. Giselle and
her daughter would discover that it was impossible to discern one from the
other. But the results would always be the same.

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