Hummingbird
Copyright© 2026 by Krista*
Chapter 7
“I must say, Miss d’Santos, you are looking quite refreshed after your vacation,” Howard Arden observed. “I trust that you enjoyed yourself in Montana?” Leaning forward to state is a soft voice that only she could hear, he continued, “I know you asked me to be less formal with your name, but in the common areas of the office, I think it’s best to remain so.”
“I understand, sir, and yes, I had a wonderful time in Montana!” She smiled as a few memories came up. “Danced in a honky-tonk, rode horses, camped out under the stars, and was even launched into low orbit off a mechanical bull!”
Arden blinked. “Mechanical bull?”
Yzzy grinned and held up a small thumb drive. “Proof. A lot of people will say ‘pictures or it didn’t happen!’ so you can check them out later for laughs. And yes, we did sing ‘home on the range’ while out camping for the cattle drive.”
“Cattle drive?” Arden was trying not to seem too astonished.
“Mr. Arden, I can tell you that it was an experience like no other. My friends allowed me to explore and learn what ranching is like. No, I didn’t do everything, it was only a taste. However,” and her eyes unfocused a bit, “Montana has some of the most beautiful scenery that I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“Can I share this?” he held up the thumb drive.
“I figured folks here would be curious. Go ahead.”
Later, Yzzy learned that in a small conference room, a laptop was connected to a monitor on the wall with looped video footage showing her dancing with Mickey, riding (and being flung off of) the mechanical bull, her singing ‘Black Velvet’ at the Karaoke stage. Footage of her riding Punkin was also included. Nichole and Leona had gotten some really great pictures with their phones.
Reactions and comments were all positive with some good-natured jokes about her “going cowgirl” and a few women said the men looked like hunks.
Yzzy laughed and started in on the stack of paperwork that was waiting for her return.
Saturday morning, Yzzy awoke holding her lover, Annette, as they lay in her bed. They had met when they were both in their second year at Sacramento State and became fast friends and bed partners. Annette had driven up from Monterrey the previous afternoon for the weekend.
“Morning,” Annette sighed. “I always sleep so good when I’m with you.” Slipping from under the blankets, she headed towards the bathroom.
“I can say the same!” Yzzy smiled as she studied her lover. Annette was maybe 5’5” tall and also slender, but had what some call a ‘booty butt’ and a nice set of ‘C’ cup breasts. “What do you want for breakfast?”
“I’m not sure. But there is something really serious we need to talk about first. And if you kick my ass out right away, I’ll understand.”
Yzzy was suddenly on guard. “Oh?”
“Yes. Long story short, I was offered a supervisory position at a graphic arts firm in Philadelphia. If I accept it, they want me to start right after the New Year Holidays. “I haven’t made a decision yet.”
“What’s stopping a decision?”
Annette looked at her lover with moist eyes. “You. We’ve been through so much together over the years. I don’t want to go, and break your heart. And I can’t ask you to relocate to the other side of the country for me,” she sniffed. “The position is right in line with my degree and experience, and the pay is almost double what I make here.”
Yzzy felt like a ball of ice was filling her stomach. “I love you. But I also love you enough to know that our love isn’t the type of love that can be a marriage or more than dear friends who go to bed for pleasure. I treasure you. However,” and she closed her eyes for a moment, “I love you enough not to try and stand in your way of you reaching out towards a dream. I understand. But you also need to remember something,” she did her best to smile, “there are these aluminum cylinders with wings that go really fast over long distances.”
“Yeah, I heard about those. What do they call them? Airplanes?”
“Right. And if that Stephen Hawking fellow was still alive, this would be a non-issue because I know that he would have those transporter thingies from Star Trek figured out by now. I say you take it. We will be okay.”
“God, how I love you!” Annette cried as she rolled over to kiss Yzzy.
“I’m so sorry to hear about you and Annette!” Leona said softly over the phone. “Is there any chance that you two can work through this?”
“Short of spending a lot of money for plane tickets? The only alternative I see is for me to move out there with her, and three thousand miles is a long way for me to go and not have any network beyond her. I can’t stand in her way over this,” Yzzy sighed. “She has worked for years to reach this professional goal.”
“When is she leaving?”
“Early December. That will give her enough time to get out there, get settled and find her way around. She is going to spend most of her remaining time with her family out here.”
“Damn,” Leona really felt bad for her friend. “What about you? The holidays?”
“On Thanksgiving, I usually just watch the parade on TV and eat a frozen turkey pot pie. But this year I was invited to go up to Magdalena as a guest and spend time there. No idea what I’m doing at Christmas.”
“Come out here! We would love to have you again!”
“Thanks, but I don’t want to impose. Besides, its a long flight and you should spend the days with your family. Also,” she chuckled, “I occasionally look at the weather reports on my computer. The idea of single digit temps and all that snow? I’m not that brave.”
“Or crazy!” Leona giggled.
“With your shield, or on it,” Anne Halberd grinned. “And in your case, defiantly ‘with’, counselor!”
Standing in the entrance doorway to the large dining hall and conference room, Yzzy was stunned to see over 200 people, students, faculty and support staff, standing and cheering her as she entered. She had driven up to Magdalena the previous evening and had arrived well after ‘lights out’ for the students. She had stayed overnight at one of the guest suites. Today was Thanksgiving and everyone was gathered for a traditional lunch to celebrate.
Anne raised a hand to indicate that people needed to quiet down. After a moment, she announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s my honor to present to you, the hummingbird of Sally Ride hall and the SAVIOR of Magdalena School, Ysabella d’Santos!”
Again, screams of joy rang out and Yzzy stood there, unsure what to do for a moment. Then she stepped towards a podium where Mrs. Ranigar stood, weeping softly as a smile threatened to wrap from ear to ear. “Can I say hello?” As Mrs. Ranigar nodded, Yzzy stepped to the podium.
“Hello everyone. Thank you for such a wonderful welcome. Anne just called me a ‘savior’ for Magdalena. But I’m not.” Curious looks washed across faces. “I’m a frightened little girl, ten years old, and doing my very best to protect the place that I call ‘home’. A place that has shown me love, support and given me a family. Just like every one of you,” she took the microphone out of the holder and stood in front of the podium. “How could I NOT do all in my power to protect this wonderful place? You followed the court case. You knew the risks. The stakes involved. And I know that each and every one of you, if needed, would do the same thing. Fight for and defend Magdalena with everything in your heart. Why? Because YOU are the ladies of Magdalena. You are the example of all that is best in humanity. You are the ones who will go forward from here when it is time for you to do so, and accomplish extraordinary things. All I did was make sure that a greedy businessman didn’t have the chance to take Magdalena away from us, while you are getting ready to do all of this.”
The door suddenly burst open. “I got here as fast as possible. Flight was delayed!” The willowy blond ran to the front of the room. “YZZY!!!”
“LANA!!!” came the reply as the two embraced. To the stunned room, Yzzy smiled, “Lana was my first roomie here. She helped a terrified girl overcome fears and answered more questions than I think everyone here has fingers and toes to count on!” She smiled at one of her oldest friends. “We have a lot to catch up on after dinner.”
“Do we ever!”
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