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Martini
It was getting close to the end of the day and Francesca was running late on her dinner together with her friends. Kathleen, Rose and her best friend of 15 years, Michell’e. Francesca had been running around like a crazy person all day with her busy management job where she is the manager of the most popular bank in the area, Bank of Zagora.
”Sorry ma’am. We are closed” Francesca said as she locked the door. Texted the group chat, “I’m running late.”
Rose-Hurry Up
Michelle’e- 🤷♂️
Kathleen- Wow. We will order for you
Francesca responds “Sounds good” as she grabs her purse , locks the door and heads out to dinner.
“There she is!” Michell’e said. Waving for her bestie to come sit down at the table.
Everyone greets each other as normal and drinks soon arrive. Margarita for Rose, Beer for Kathleen and 2 Martinis for Michell’e and Francesca.
”Long day yall”?!- Rose said
”Yes. I could not focus on work today. So busy” Francesca said as she ate the olive from her Dirty Martini
”I was distracted all day” Michell’e said as she sipped hers slowly
”It’s Friday so we are gonna relax this weekend and simply…
”I have something to tell yall” Michell’e said as she interrupted the convo. Looking at Francesca first and then back to the group.
”What is it”? Rose said
Michell’e looked at her drink with both hands thumbing the base of the glass up and down. She looks past everyone and says
“I’m moving to St.Louis. I have to go back home to help my sister with the kids”
Francesca’s face immediately went to anger and discouragement because she didn’t want her friend to go back to her home town and how could she not have told me this first.
“It will be ok. I’m here to support you. We all are. “
Francesca said as she put her hand on her friends shoulder. Michell’e clearly didn’t want to blurt it out but she had to get it out the way as her life will change. Not just because of her leaving to go back home but her job and her friends are being left behind and she hated it.
Everyone finished eating dinner. Laughs and jokes all around which meant Francesca’s jokes that only she laughed at but being the best friend you have to laugh extra hard. It’s what friends do. Towards the end of the night everyone was able to get a to go plate and an Uber was coming for Rose. Kathleen got picked up by her husband. Michell’e and Francesca waited for the Uber for Rose and they both walked home afterwards as they only lived a few blocks apart. They talked about her moving and caught up on what was happening in the previous month. Michell’e discussed in detail about the move and they both were equally distraught but knew what was most important. Michell’e needed to go home to help her sister. It’s imperative she is there. All her friends knew that especially her bestie.
Michell’e woke up the next day to a text from Francesca
Francesca-Ima miss you dork! You haven’t left yet and I know you leave in a month but still.
Michell’e- Ima miss you too. You and me gotta do something before we go.
Francesca- Ok. Sounds good.
Each day came and went and the group chat felt like a long and never ending goodbye. Plans. Gossip. Drama and advice always was part of the group chat and eventually it will be a time that will be missed.
Everyone came over to Michell’e’s house to hang out and clean. Dinner plans and help packing. The night ended with Rose and Kathleen leaving to go home which left Francesa and Michell’e to hang out as they normally do. Remembering when they were teens and dating boys that are now cab drivers and the good times without a care in the world.
“Can’t you just have your sister move here?
Francesca asked
“She has 3 kids. I have to go help her. She needs me.
”I need you”
Michell’e leaned in and gave her bestie the biggest hug she ever gave her.
“I”ll miss you too. You act like we will never see each other again” Michell’e said
“I know. But what if we do?” Francesca said while looking at her friend
” I won’t let it happen!” Michell’e reassured her as they gave each other their special hand shake.
The hand shake feels like a distant memory since it has been 6 months since Michell’e moved away. Group chat barely felt the same anymore and Francesca would get a message here or there from Michell’e. She would respond but it was vague and just not as pleasant.
Rose suggested a group dinner to catch up and even that left a void amongst each other.
A year has passed and Michell’e hadn’t been home at all. Not able to catch up with the group as she is so busy with helping her sister. Rose is engaged to a great guy and Kathleen is pregnant. Francesca is still the manager at her job where is is applying for a Regional Manager position.
Francesca gets a text message directly from Michell’e a week early congratulating her.
Francesa- Thanks friend!
….
Nothing.
No reply. No Call. No Follow Up. No catch Up.
Francesca dreaded this feeling and life has simply happened. She misses her friend but does she miss me?!
“Hey!”
Michelle- Hey you!! Wuz up! Congrats again!
Francesca- Thank you. So when you planning to come home?
Michell’e- idk. I’m so busy. No time soon. I’m sorry. Hey you can come see me you know?!
Franscesca- I'll see what I can do. I have my job ceremony on the 17th. I have to plan for that but I’ll see what I can do
Michell’e- Ok
Francesa- Ok
Time goes by so slowly. Before you realize it. Unanswered calls and text. Missing a friend is hard. She has forgotten all about me. Francesca was in her mind convinced her bestie was just an acquaintance at this point. She knew that would happen.
The 17th
Frnacesca runs into the building where her ceremony is located. She can not be late. Darn!!
She gets to the ceremony just in time to take her seat and await for the next part of the event. They mention they have a guest speaker to introduce the new job promotions so Fransesca gets up to get a drink from the bar.
“Dirty Martini please” She says
”She means ‘extra dirty sir.”
Frances’s turns around to see who ordered her drink.
”Michell’e!!!!! What are you doing here?!? As she hugs her bestie she sees Rose and Kathleen waiting to go into the event. She waves at them and they wave back with excitement on their face.
“How you get here? Huh wait! What are you doing here?” Francesca says in disbelief
”Well, my friend said she missed me. I said I’d see you again. Here I am!”
Fransesca hugs Michell’e again.
“You are awesome!” Fransesca said sipping her drink
”I know. Best friends never let the other think they are not important. You are MY person. I love you. I’m here for you” Michell’e said while ordering the same drink..
”Extra Dirty Martini please…” Michell’e said.
They toast and remember what true friendship means to them both
”Sorry ma’am. We are closed” Francesca said as she locked the door. Texted the group chat, “I’m running late.”
Rose-Hurry Up
Michelle’e- 🤷♂️
Kathleen- Wow. We will order for you
Francesca responds “Sounds good” as she grabs her purse , locks the door and heads out to dinner.
“There she is!” Michell’e said. Waving for her bestie to come sit down at the table.
Everyone greets each other as normal and drinks soon arrive. Margarita for Rose, Beer for Kathleen and 2 Martinis for Michell’e and Francesca.
”Long day yall”?!- Rose said
”Yes. I could not focus on work today. So busy” Francesca said as she ate the olive from her Dirty Martini
”I was distracted all day” Michell’e said as she sipped hers slowly
”It’s Friday so we are gonna relax this weekend and simply…
”I have something to tell yall” Michell’e said as she interrupted the convo. Looking at Francesca first and then back to the group.
”What is it”? Rose said
Michell’e looked at her drink with both hands thumbing the base of the glass up and down. She looks past everyone and says
“I’m moving to St.Louis. I have to go back home to help my sister with the kids”
Francesca’s face immediately went to anger and discouragement because she didn’t want her friend to go back to her home town and how could she not have told me this first.
“It will be ok. I’m here to support you. We all are. “
Francesca said as she put her hand on her friends shoulder. Michell’e clearly didn’t want to blurt it out but she had to get it out the way as her life will change. Not just because of her leaving to go back home but her job and her friends are being left behind and she hated it.
Everyone finished eating dinner. Laughs and jokes all around which meant Francesca’s jokes that only she laughed at but being the best friend you have to laugh extra hard. It’s what friends do. Towards the end of the night everyone was able to get a to go plate and an Uber was coming for Rose. Kathleen got picked up by her husband. Michell’e and Francesca waited for the Uber for Rose and they both walked home afterwards as they only lived a few blocks apart. They talked about her moving and caught up on what was happening in the previous month. Michell’e discussed in detail about the move and they both were equally distraught but knew what was most important. Michell’e needed to go home to help her sister. It’s imperative she is there. All her friends knew that especially her bestie.
Michell’e woke up the next day to a text from Francesca
Francesca-Ima miss you dork! You haven’t left yet and I know you leave in a month but still.
Michell’e- Ima miss you too. You and me gotta do something before we go.
Francesca- Ok. Sounds good.
Each day came and went and the group chat felt like a long and never ending goodbye. Plans. Gossip. Drama and advice always was part of the group chat and eventually it will be a time that will be missed.
Everyone came over to Michell’e’s house to hang out and clean. Dinner plans and help packing. The night ended with Rose and Kathleen leaving to go home which left Francesa and Michell’e to hang out as they normally do. Remembering when they were teens and dating boys that are now cab drivers and the good times without a care in the world.
“Can’t you just have your sister move here?
Francesca asked
“She has 3 kids. I have to go help her. She needs me.
”I need you”
Michell’e leaned in and gave her bestie the biggest hug she ever gave her.
“I”ll miss you too. You act like we will never see each other again” Michell’e said
“I know. But what if we do?” Francesca said while looking at her friend
” I won’t let it happen!” Michell’e reassured her as they gave each other their special hand shake.
The hand shake feels like a distant memory since it has been 6 months since Michell’e moved away. Group chat barely felt the same anymore and Francesca would get a message here or there from Michell’e. She would respond but it was vague and just not as pleasant.
Rose suggested a group dinner to catch up and even that left a void amongst each other.
A year has passed and Michell’e hadn’t been home at all. Not able to catch up with the group as she is so busy with helping her sister. Rose is engaged to a great guy and Kathleen is pregnant. Francesca is still the manager at her job where is is applying for a Regional Manager position.
Francesca gets a text message directly from Michell’e a week early congratulating her.
Francesa- Thanks friend!
….
Nothing.
No reply. No Call. No Follow Up. No catch Up.
Francesca dreaded this feeling and life has simply happened. She misses her friend but does she miss me?!
“Hey!”
Michelle- Hey you!! Wuz up! Congrats again!
Francesca- Thank you. So when you planning to come home?
Michell’e- idk. I’m so busy. No time soon. I’m sorry. Hey you can come see me you know?!
Franscesca- I'll see what I can do. I have my job ceremony on the 17th. I have to plan for that but I’ll see what I can do
Michell’e- Ok
Francesa- Ok
Time goes by so slowly. Before you realize it. Unanswered calls and text. Missing a friend is hard. She has forgotten all about me. Francesca was in her mind convinced her bestie was just an acquaintance at this point. She knew that would happen.
The 17th
Frnacesca runs into the building where her ceremony is located. She can not be late. Darn!!
She gets to the ceremony just in time to take her seat and await for the next part of the event. They mention they have a guest speaker to introduce the new job promotions so Fransesca gets up to get a drink from the bar.
“Dirty Martini please” She says
”She means ‘extra dirty sir.”
Frances’s turns around to see who ordered her drink.
”Michell’e!!!!! What are you doing here?!? As she hugs her bestie she sees Rose and Kathleen waiting to go into the event. She waves at them and they wave back with excitement on their face.
“How you get here? Huh wait! What are you doing here?” Francesca says in disbelief
”Well, my friend said she missed me. I said I’d see you again. Here I am!”
Fransesca hugs Michell’e again.
“You are awesome!” Fransesca said sipping her drink
”I know. Best friends never let the other think they are not important. You are MY person. I love you. I’m here for you” Michell’e said while ordering the same drink..
”Extra Dirty Martini please…” Michell’e said.
They toast and remember what true friendship means to them both
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