Kim arrived at the restaurant, more nervous than she thought she’d be. She flipped open the visor mirror of her SUV and took one last look at herself, checking her makeup, adjusting her hair. She took a deep breath and opened the door, checking the parking lot as she walked inside.

"Legaspi, party of two," she told the host, "Has the other member of my party arrived yet?"

"No, ma’am. Would like to follow me?"

Kim nodded, followed the skinny man to a round empty table by the window. "Thanks," she said, taking her seat and looking around anxiously for Kerry. She hoped and prayed that she would come, ordered a glass of wine for herself, decided against ordering one for Kerry. She had no idea where they stood at this point. It had been half a decade since they had even spoken, and they hadn’t left things on good terms. She was surprised Kerry even agreed to speak with her, let alone have dinner. This wasn’t a date, or anything even close to it, she knew that, but there was still so much she didn’t know.

The waiter was just bringing Kim’s glass of wine when Kerry arrived. "Hey, glad you made it."

"Sorry. I was still at the hospital when I called you, got held up on my way out the door. I didn’t mean to keep you waiting."

"That’s okay." Kim was just glad she’d shown up.

"What can I get for you to drink ma’am?" the waiter asked Kerry.

"Same as my friend," she gestured towards Kim’s wine glass, smiling, "You always did have the best taste in wine." Kim smiled, not at the compliment given, but at the word ‘friend’. Kerry had called her her friend. There might be some hope after all. "So, what are you doing back in Chicago?"

"Job interviews. I was thinking of moving back."

Kerry was visibly shocked for a moment, recovered quickly, "And leave sunny California?"

"How did you know I was in California?"

"Isn’t that where all ***** people go, to San Francisco?" After a moment, she burst out laughing. "I was joking Kim. I heard it through the grapevine."

"Can’t keep anything under wraps at County," Kim remembered the gossip with disgust.