Friends Reunion

"Do you need time, or can you talk about it?" Carey asked suddenly.

Just then, Karen started sniffing soft sobs. She found comfort in Carey's warm body, and that gave her the strength to tell him that she had lost her job.

She wanted to add that it would be all okay, but she was filled with doubts about that.

She remembered her former colleagues telling her that she wasn't qualified. That she would never get a job where she lasted as she had lasted at Mr. Francis'.

She felt so annoyed thinking about that. Her letter had been written a month ago, so how come it hadn't gotten to her early enough?

She suspected that someone must have hidden the letter so that Karen got embarrassed when she continued going to work when her services weren't needed.

The list of suspects was long, and she didn't even want to think about it.

She knew it was foul play and that thinking about all that would ruin her sour mood all the more.

"Don't worry. It will be okay. I'm sure of that," Carey told her, bringing her into the present, and she smiled.

She removed herself from his embrace, looked into his eyes, then lips then kissed him softly.

"Thank you for being so encouraging. I have been thinking of how to handle this, and I think I will have to go back home for a while," Karen said.

Carey suddenly tensed, and Karen looked at him, asking if there was a problem.

"Why? Don't you trust that I can take care of us?" Carey asked, hurt written all over his face.

"No. I just feel uncomfortable sitting here all day as you toil to feed us. I will just stay there for a while. I have missed the home environment so much," Karen reassured.

Jim and Jael Barger, Karen's parents, were renowned hoteliers back in Atlanta.

They owned a chain of restaurants, and most were managed by their kids, Eric, Carol, and Cheryl.

Unlike them, Karen hadn't wanted to remain in their hometown, and she had wanted something different and challenging, which she had found but was no more.

"Are you sure it will be for a short while? Won't you change your mind and decide to run one of your hotels instead?" Carey asked, and Karen couldn't help but laugh.

The idea had crossed her mind, but she hadn't made up her mind on whether or not she would do it.

People would respect her for being the manager in the hotel, and she wouldn't have to try pleasing others, but she didn't want to stay far away from Carey.

She wanted them to build their family together as a strong unit.

"100% positive. I will be back. In fact, I won't be staying at my parents'. I will be at a friend's, Angie's," she answered, and her face suddenly lit up from remembering her old days with Angie.

Angie was the only female friend that Karen had maintained ties with after high school.

They were the relationship goals of high school. They shared virtually everything, from secrets of meeting up boys to clothes.

They had sleepovers at each other's house so often that others thought that they looked like just because they were always so together.

"Well, if you're sure it's what you want, then I fully support you. Just don't forget that I love you so much," Carey said, giving her a peck on the cheeks, and she blushed.

"I can never forget that," she said, smiling shyly.

***

Val Novi looked at herself in the mirror and shook her head, telling herself that the dress she had wasn't fit enough.

She removed more clothes from the wardrobe and threw them on her bed, still undecided on what she would wear to the airport.

'It's not a date, so why are you stressing yourself so much?' she asked herself.

It was just like her to care so much about what she wore, whether she was indoors or not.

She looked at the time on her phone and knew that Angie would be calling her anytime. As if on cue, her phone rang, and it was Angie, telling her that she was at her doorstep.

"Well, come in then. Don't you have my keys? I'm still dressing,' Val answered over the loudspeaker.

She settled on wearing mommy jeans and a white top and tucked in. She combed her bob hair, checked her makeup again, and walked in a rush to the living room.

"Sorry," she said when Angie threw her a death glance.

"She will be here soon. I don't want to keep her waiting," Angie said as Val locked her door and followed Angie to the car.

Their drive to the airport was silent, save for the music that Angie had on.

Karen was flying down. Carey had glad fully paid for the plane ticket, and Karen couldn't be thankful enough.

He was sad about her leaving as it would be the first time they had stayed in different states since they started living together.

They had been so much a part of each other's lives. Carey was always present during the parties at Karen's office and vice versa.

Angie and Val waited for her to clear, and when she finally met Angie, it was like a reunion. Both friends shed tears of joy, and Val looked on awkwardly.

"Karen," Karen said, stretching her hands for a handshake from Val, who also introduced herself.

"Such a cute boy. He's grown up so fast," Angie said, getting to Frank's level and playing with his cheeks. "The last time I saw him, he was just months old."

Frank hid behind his mother, and Karen said that he was shy in the presence of strangers.

"He won't be after some time. I'm his aunt after all," Angie said, "We need to get you home. I know you're quite tired."

The three ladies jammed themselves into Angie's car and drove into Angie's home, which Karen found way too big for one person.

"Technically two because Evans drops by sometimes,' Angie said. 'Not sometimes, most often."

"I'm just so happy for you. Things seem to be going on so well for you," Karen said, looking at the house.

She noticed there was a framed picture of Angie and Evans on the wall and smiled to herself.