Two women meet in a coffee shop in a war-torn country

The product of the last time I had to write a damned paper:
Two women meet in a coffee shop in a foreign country. They start talking randomly. “Have you heard that song “rangers” by “A Fine Frenzy”? Something about being chased by rangers and not wanting to be caught. “
“I wonder what they did to not want to be caught. Maybe they stole something? “
“Who knows”. A pause. “They say when you walk in bear country, you don’t need to be able to run faster than the bear, just faster then the person you’re with.”
“Yeah? That’s a good idea.”
These men come in the door like they are looking for someone. They look at the two women somewhat suspiciously and then position themselves near enough to hear their conversation.
“ So, what do you like? My favorite here is their smoothies.”
“ I’ve never been here before – I’m not from here, haven’t been around much.”
“Where are you from? “
“I’ve got family in the south, deep south, hurricane country, ever been there? “
” No, my people are spread across the west – it’d be a nice place to visit, if I had a reason.”
“I think I’ll try again.”
“Want some company?”
“No, that’s not necessary, I’ve got a dog that can’t run faster than a bear.”
“Well, I’ve got to get back to work… we should do this again sometime.”
“Yeah, I’ll give you a call.”
The men look confused. They did not get what they wanted. The second woman leaves abruptly, the first watches her leave and then sits to read the paper for a while. The men leave.
Three weeks later, not exactly.. . different day of the week, different time, the women meet up again. “Want dinner?”
“No, I was thinking about going out… dancing…. Drinking.” The second woman looks haggard, wearing a hood and a hat and glasses.
“Hard times?”
“Yeah, it’s been tough. I’m feeling successful, though, like my luck’s changing.That dog of mine didn’t keep the bears away very well.”
“Did you find that friend of yours?”
“No, we went in separate cars – missed each other along the way, I guess, but I got what I wanted from her.”
The other woman simply raises her eyebrows. “So, dancing?”
Later that night, the women are at a club. The second woman starts dancing close to the first. Those men from before show up in the crowd close by. “Kiss me.”
“What?”
“Like it was your idea.” The first woman looks at the second and slowly moves in to kiss her. The men walk by with a sideways glance, but no recognition. The second woman drinks some more, rapidly approaching the too drunk to drive stage.
“Can I take you home”
“To my place?” The women leave the bar. At the second woman’s apartment, “Please stay, I can’t be alone right now.” “Sure.” “Will you sleep here?” The men are now observing the window from a high rise across the street. The man in charge says, "Leave them be. Just watch the shadows and the door.” Early the next morning, the first woman leaves. The men look, but “she’s not carrying anything. She must not have it.”
The police show up at the first woman’s house. “We have a search warrant for your house.” “I don’t understand….” “you’re companion is being held for theft and we have reason to believe that she transferred stolen goods to you.” “What?”
She goes to visit her friend in jail. “Is there anything I can do?” “No, it’s all done. I’m done.”
“It’s bad timing, but I was headed home next week.”
“You should go, your family probably misses you.”
“I hate to leave you.”
“No, it’s all good now.” They shared their goodbyes and I love you’s and a kiss.
The woman leaves her apartment taking only what she would need for a visit. If she was moving, she’d have to go through an audit. She’s not sure she’s coming back, but it’s better to assume she is.
The woman flies back to the States. She’s at home with her family and the FBI shows up. “your friend… was convicted. Do you have any intention of returning to the country?” “I hadn’t really decided yet, but I’m engaged…. My world has changed… I probably won’t be going back.”
The FBI agent, interestingly, the same man who called off his men that night, says, “walk with me.” They walk out of earshot of her family and his men. “I won’t say anything if you never go back.”
“What about my things?”
“I’ll have one of my agents pack up everything in your apt. and hers and ship it to you.”
“I have some fragile items, I’d rather at least supervise their packing.”
“OK, but only supervise.”
When she gets back to the states, she flies to Tennessee with her friend’s belongings. Louisiana, Florida, she finds someone with a familiar name and ships a few packages to them with an explanation. “I loved her, this is what is left, I hope it means as much to you as she meant to me.”
The news had a story the other day about this valuable jewel that was mysteriously missing from a war torn country. No one knows what happened to it.
30 years later.
The jewel surfaces in the Northeast. No one knows where it came from.
This retired FBI agent came to see my mom the other day. “How’d you do it?”
“Love is powerful.” He left looking very unsatisfied.
20 years later.
My mom said something interesting on her death bed. I write it because I never want to forget. She was an amazing woman. She had been many places, just to work and see what the world held. She had this innate ability to read minds, maybe not literally, but she always knew what certain people were thinking. She said they had beautiful souls. I think it was because deep down they understood each other.
I was sitting with her one day and she said, “There is a great power in assumption and randomness.” “What, mom?” “Think about it love, it’ll all make sense someday.” When we went through her estate, she had an enormous amount of money invested and an apartment in a war torn country. She gave much of it away, but she provided for all of us. Not enough so that we wouldn’t have to work for our everyday needs, but she provided for our houses and our educations and our children’s educations. And, there was a provision for this family in Louisiana. I later heard a rumour that they had some very notorious members in their family.