Rosetta Veronica

Veronica was overcome by the beauty of the Pacific Ocean. She was 7,420 miles (11,941 kilometers) away from San Francisco, but the Sydney coastline gave her the feeling of coming home. She felt deeply connected here.

She’d come alone to Waverley Cemetery to play a game she’d played with her aunt. They walked around cemeteries in Maine until they found her name on a tombstone. They’d make up a story about that person’s life. She loved this game.

Waverley Cemetery was built in 1877, 100 years before Veronica was born. After wandering & searching for about 30 minutes, she came across the grave of Rosetta Veronica (Moss) Pyke (1817 – 1914). Wow, living to 97 way back then!

V. laid down the white, pink & red camellias she brought. She took a seat in front of Rosetta Veronica’s final resting place. She began to daydream about the life of this deceased woman who she had sought out today.

A passerby called to her, “You right, mate?”

“Yes! Thanks!” She called back, “What time is it?”

“It’s round 15:40, doll.”

Veronica jumped to her feet. She’d lost track of time. She had 20 minutes to get to the bus to take her to the train to get her to the airport for her flight back to Brisbane.

The train to the airport took 1 hour and her flight left at 17:45. She gathered her bags & ran through the cemetery at full speed cringing as she accidentally stepped on some graves. She hoped the spirits didn’t mind too much.

Her feet hurt, her bag was heavy, she was sweating & she somehow exited the cemetery in a place she didn’t recognize.

She asked a couple, “Where’s the bus station going to Bondi Station?”

The woman smiled, “Aw love, we’ll give you a lift to Bondi. No worries.” She gestured to their truck across the street.

“Really?! Thank you.” She said with relief.

Veronica & the elderly couple sat 3 across on the bench seat of the truck.

Her stress built steadily as she realized how slowly they were going to be driving. This sweet couple was taking their sweet time. When she saw on the dashboard clock that she had 5 minutes until her train left, she felt surrendered to the universe. What will be will be, she thought.

They pulled up to Bondi Station just as the train to Sydney airport was leaving. She thanked Tom & Jess for their kindness & walked off to find out that the next train left at 16:20. Leaving her just 25 min. before her flight took off.

She might miss it..she might make it. What would Rosetta Veronica do? She would go for it! V. took deep breaths as she waited for the next train to come.

#NovelPossible Mission 3