Movie challenges

"You might even scoop up an acting role as well if you hang out with Blake and Laura," Jacqueline remarked with a big smile on her face and her eyes bright from sudden excitement.

"You really think so? I wasn't even thinking about that. You're right. This trip could open up opportunities for me if I go there with an open mind. In America I wasn't looking for career opportunities. I just wanted to meet successful people. But this time, if I keep my eyes and ears open while looking out for you, I just might strike an opportunity," Adam commented with his face brightening up slowly.

"At least your aunt Priya will be happy that you're exploring your career instead of daydreaming," Jacqueline teased with a giggle.

"I just might make her proud, you know? Even if it's just for looking out for your safety," Adam remarked with an optimistic grin and a comically raised eyebrow.

"So, I guess we're going to Europe, alright," Jacqueline remarked with an optimistic light in her eyes as she raised her glass of wine to Adam in a toast.

"Even as we lay our stable jobs on the line. But, anyway, we should take a chance or live in regret of not knowing what could have been," Adam remarked.

"I usually love challenges, but lately I'm more careful," Jacqueline remarked thoughtfully.

"It's either because you have some more life experience or it's because of that frightening experience in Brazil. But it's good in a way. You should take good care of yourself.

On the other hand, you could end up losing out on a lot in life just because of not wanting to take chances," Adam remarked.

"I did take a chance when I went to Brazil, so, I guess it's just too soon. I can try something safer. Like helping someone find a parent," Jacqueline remarked as she frowned thoughtfully.

"What do you mean by that?" Adam asked, frowning in confusion.

"Your friend in America is looking for her father, is that right?" Jacqueline asked.

"Oh, are you talking about Carlita? Well, she would like to track him down, but I'm not sure about when she will be ready to do that. It's a big step. It might rock her world and she would end up with years of regret."

"That can happen. But, what if she finds him and he's been waiting all these years to meet her? That could make the rest of her life much more meaningful," Jacqueline responded.

"Oh, so are you thinking about your skills to track down Carlita's father?" Adam asked with his eyes stretched wide with surprise.

"You want that for her, don't you?" Jacqueline asked.

"I thought that it could be a wonderful favour for her if I could do that for her. But, what if he rejects her and she loses her self-esteem in a big way?"

"Let's try talking to her?" Jacqueline suggested.

"Okay, then I will call her tomorrow," Adam responded.

"Okay, then give her an idea about what I could be talking to her about. I hope she doesn't think that I'm prying into her private life," Jacqueline responded with a sigh.

"Maybe she will think that in the beginning, but she's sensible. So, she will consider your help eventually," Adam assured Jacqueline.

***

The next day, Jacqueline was surprised to hear from Adam so soon after their discussion.

"Did Jacqueline give a definite opinion then?" she asked.

"No, but she will think about it. I was just wondering whether my other American friends would be interested in talking to a psychic."

"Maybe they already know a couple of psychic people. New York City is a very diverse place," Jacqueline replied.

"One can always just ask," Adam responded.

"But, if they find out that you're also talking to Carlita about it they might get suspicious and wonder what you're up to," Jacqueline pointed out.

"Oh, I don't think that Carlita will talk to anyone about this. She doesn't confide in people so easily," Adam pointed out.

"Well, your friend with the shoe shop. He might be happy if I could give him some business advice," Jacqueline remarked with a chuckle.

She was feeling light hearted because it was in the afternoon and all her classes were almost done for the day. Talking on the phone was a good break so late in the day.

"Pablo?" Adam asked.

"Yes, him. Imagine if I could help him find business solutions and the same thing could perhaps work for my parents as well?" Jacqueline suggested.

"Okay, I will introduce him to you and you can then just chat to him at first and then you can gradually tell him that you have clairvoyant skills."

"That sounds so unlike me when you say it like that," Jacqueline responded.

"But it is you and you've got a big, but exciting mission ahead of you with that guy in Europe," Adam remarked.

"Yes and I have to start explaining it all to my parents. I have to step out in faith and listen to my gut completely if I'm going to be alright in this new venture," Jacqueline remarked in a more serious tone.

"Well, you've got Carminda and myself if everyone else pushes you away," Adam remarked on his end of the line.

"That's good to know, but I hope my parents aren't too shocked by this new side of me. I'm still getting used to it myself."

When Jacqueline drove home she thought about the perfume maker in Europe.

"It can sound so presumptuous of me as a nobody to give advice to him. Does he even know that he's sick?" she asked herself as the idea suddenly hit her.

"If he knows that he's very sick then he will welcome the help of anyone who promises relief. But, what if he is not even diagnosed as seriously ill? He won't listen to me at all.

Maybe I should wait until we know for sure that he knows about his illness? I should talk to Carminda about this," Jacqueline decided as she drove along.

"I will have to know exactly how I'm gonna heal him as well when the time comes. That means that I will have to practice in the meantime.

But, on who? Who around me is definitely ill?" Jacqueline asked into her empty vehicle.

"I will have to do lots of homework if I'm going to work with a big celebrity like that. Carminda will just have to make the time to help me. She should just never leave me in the lurch at any point. I wonder. Just how reliable is she?" Jacqueline thought with a deep frown on her brow as she drove into the gates of her home.