A Woman in Search Of...

As per their plans Wendy arrived at Rusty’s apartment in West Los Angeles, a few blocks south of Wilshire Blvd. He rented a small one bedroom, one bath, and Rusty showed good taste with the usual beach theme.

“Have a seat,” he said as he indicated the dining room table. On it stood a jar with liquid that looked like tea. Rusty opened it, sniffed it, made an ugly face and held it toward Wendy. She sniffed it with the same reaction.

“How much do you know about peyote?” he asked.

“I knew a little when I talked to you, but I read up about it, in more detail, and understand it better.”

“You know what can happen?”

“You bet.”

“So, you’re ready for this?”

“Let’s rock on.” Rusty poured some of the tea in a glass. “To start, just take a little of it.”

She smelled it again and scrunched her nose. She took a small sip, gagged and coughed. She sat up.

“You can have a little more.”

Wendy took a longer drink, with less coughing.

“It’s difficult to swallow, literally because of the pungent taste, but you’ll get used to it.” Fifteen minutes later her neck and shoulder muscles relaxed, and she brightened with energy and became very talkative.

Rusty listened as Wendy rambled on about the nursery and Scott. She got up and started to sing and dance for a few minutes.

“So, what do you think?” Rusty asked as Wendy ‘came down.’

“Like wow! Can I buy some from you?”

“I’ll have to get some peyote buttons for you. I don’t have enough to give away. I’ll let you know. You need to heat the buttons and roots in water until it becomes a tea, or you can eat the buttons.”

“Good to know. Thanks, Rusty. I really appreciate it.”

They talked for a while and Wendy headed home.

The nursery was doing very well. She truly appreciated its naturalness and the display of the great variety of plants. The fact that many people kept returning let her know they enjoyed it.

On Thursday night Wendy went to Rusty’s to get the peyote buttons.

“Thanks,” Wendy said when Rusty handed her a plastic bag with a dozen buttons.

“You do know you have to be careful with this stuff, so you won’t get hooked.”

She let that go by her. “How long have you been using peyote?”
“A couple of years, but I use it sparingly and not a lot at one time.”

“I’ll certainly be careful.” She looked at the buttons. “I appreciate the info. Mind if I indulge now?”

“No, go for it,” Rusty encouraged.

“You want to join me?”

“No thanks, not in the mood.” Rusty went to the kitchen for the tea and put it on the coffee table where they were seated. She only sipped a little, followed by a little more. It wasn’t the same high she experienced before, but soon it became enough for her to feel renewed energy.

Half an hour later Wendy said, “I didn’t feel the same exuberance as the last time. Why not?”

Wendy watched as Rusty got up, made himself a drink and came back to sit next to her. “Sometimes it’s just the way your body reacts to it, and you didn’t drink as much this time.”

“Okay. I guess I’ll try a bit more and find out?” she laughed.

“Wendy, take it easy,” he cautioned, as she took a larger swallow.

“With you here I feel safe. You’re a good friend.” She felt a rush. “Rusty, come dance with me,” she said as she pulled on his wrist.

“You think I should put some music on first?” he asked as he moved to the record player.

“Oh, yeah, that’d be rad.”

They danced and when the high diminished, Wendy fell onto the sofa. Rusty turned the player off and sat next to her.

He asked, “Have you ever read the Bhagavad Gita?”

“No, but I’m familiar with its basic tenets about love.”

“Really, I’m surprised.”

“When I read and studied the women’s lib movement and free speech, and religions, I delved into some eastern religions like Buddhism. I liked their Four Noble Truths about there being a path leading to the cessation of suffering. There were other interesting thoughts from different religions. They all seemed to say similar things about bringing tranquility into your life. I also appreciated the Divine Light Mission. It follows the Bhagavad Gita.”

“And what are your thoughts about Bhagavad Gita?”

“Very straight forward as I recall and logical. I especially liked their idea about, ‘don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.’ It’s also about meditating to find inner peace, right?”

Rusty reassured her, “Pretty much. Do you meditate?”

“No,” she said with regret. “I never really followed through with grasping their ideas. There were too many other things happening then.”

“Do you have time now?”

“To meditate?”

“That and to learn more about their practices and beliefs. I think you’d like to know more because their ideas are calming, like drugs, only better for you.”

“And exactly how could I learn about them?” She asked questioning how it could be possible.

“You can join me at an ashram.”

Her eyes glowed with the fascinating idea. “There are ashrams around here?”

Oh yes, one in Venice, not far from Santa Monica. Are you open to trying it?”

“Yeah, sure, definitely. It’s about finding enlightenment and inner peace. Boy, could I use some of that.”

“How ‘bout I pick you up on Saturday at one forty-five, the program starts a two. I have to be at work by four-thirty so it may be a short stint.”