Missy and Karen had been friends for over 20 years. Now one of them was in need of someone who could be honest and supportive during this hard time. Missy’s long relationship with her man was over. Not just on the rocks, over. He was done with her. Karen had some time off from work and decided to cancel her original plans to go biking in the Sierra Foot Hills and travel back east to hang with her childhood friend.
Missy’s mood changed as she heard about her friends travel plans. “Just tell me what time the flight lands, I will be there!!” In order to make the most of the visit, Missy planned some time off herself. She took care of all her errands before the day that Karen’s flight came in. She even made reservations at an exclusive restaurant so the two could enjoy a good meal without the clean up. She was so involved in the preparations that she almost forgot about her broken heart. Karen was a terrific friend, and Missy was going to make sure that she knew how much she appreciated the effort that Karen was putting into this visit.
There wasn’t anything left to do. The house was spotless, the sheets were changed, and the fridge was full. Missy actually had to find something to do to help pass the time before she could rationalize leaving for the airport. Finally, with one last glance in the mirror, Missy closed the door and left for the airport.
Luckily Karen’s flight had not been delayed at all. Missy arrived just as the plane was unloading. The two friends embraced and Missy began to cry. Like children in kindergarten, they held hands and walked towards the exit.
They chatted all the way home, mostly about the trip and recent changes to the travel route home. Karen didn’t feel it necessary to jump into the deep emotional subject of her friend’s break up yet. By the time they arrived in the area of Missy’s home, they were hungry and thirsty.
“I knew you would be too tired to go out, so I have a light dinner and drinks at home.”
When they got to Missy’s house, Karen excused herself to use the bathroom as Missy removed the already prepared meal from the refrigerator and began mixing up some drinks.
“Thanks for coming, Friend”. Missy toasted Karen as she emerged from the bathroom.
“Christ, no one has called me ‘Friend’ in ages!” The women sat on the couch and began to reminisce about their shared past.
Before long they had drained the pitcher of beverage and forgotten to eat the food sitting on the stove. “You must think I am so rude! I can’t believe I haven’t even fed you yet. Let me make you a plate of something.” Missy apologized.
“I am too beat to eat anything now. Just show me to the bed! I have some serious jet lag issues.”
Missy took Karen up the stairs to the spare bedroom. But as they entered, Karen began to sneeze. “Oh my gosh! I am so sorry, Friend. I forgot you were allergic to cats. I changed the sheets in here, but never thought about the comforter. This is where my cat used to sleep every night before…” Karen knew what she was about to say. She knew that he took the cat when he left.
“I bet you he is gay…what straight man takes a cat away from a woman?” Karen said, attempting to make Missy laugh. It worked and Missy quickly recovered and began to giggle.
“Why don’t you sleep in my room, I just changed the sheets in there. I will sleep in here.”
Karen began to laugh. “I don’t want to kick you out of your own bed! I won’t bite; I will just share your bed with you.” And with that she walked towards Missy’s bedroom.
Exhausted and eager to get out of the clothes she had been wearing for what seemed an eternity, Karen began to undress. “Do you want me to get your bag from downstairs?” asked Missy as she began to notice what great shape her friend had gotten in since she began biking.
“I don’t need anything out of it until the morning so it doesn’t matter.” replied Karen.
“Do you want one of my nightshirts to wear?” Missy inquired embarrassedly.