Chapter 3: Friends

It was almost 2 weeks later when Jenny came into the Attic. She smiled and waved as she walked over to me.

Hi, Freddie.

Hi, Jenny. Where you been, havent seen you in here in a while. I asked as she plopped down on the over stuffed chair in the corner. I joined her, sitting on the small coffee table so I could see the counter and any customers needing help.

She opened her courier-style bag and pulled out a folder. She looked at me and then down at the folder. Slowly, she handed it over to me. Its my story about the dragon, remember?

I didnt, but I took the offered folder and opened it up. There on the top of the pile of papers was a letter from Harper Collins Publisher; they were interested in the story.

Oh, Jenny, I am so excited for you! Congratulations. I leaned over to give her a hug

She began telling me about the story and the publishers interest and I watched her as she spoke. She looked like a child. She was so excited; her eyes sparkled and she had that childish energy making it impossible for her to sit still. I was truly happy for her.

We are all getting together to celebrate tonight. I know it is short notice, but I really want you to join us. It wont be anything big, dinner at Bette and Tinas. They have a pool. It will be very casual, but youll know every one there; you met them that night at Radar. She was looking right at me, eyes questioning.

Jenny, I dont know. I looked down at my hands, wondering if Marina would be there. No. That didnt matter. Here was someone coming to my door, so to speak, offering friendship. I would go. Are you sure? I dont really know your friends and Id hate to squeeze in on your celebration.

Please, they are dying to get to know the woman that drank Marina under the table. Or more literally, onto the table. She said laughing.

I looked at her totally lost. What…what are you talking about?

Jenny looked up at me, suddenly serious then said, You dont know? Oh, my God. You and Marinas drinking fest ended with her passed out on the pool table. Thomas found her sleeping there when he came in to open the next morning. The girls are dying to meet you.

I gasped and we both ended up laughing. I had no idea, Jenny. I am so embarrassed. Wait, how did I end up in her office, on the sofa? I guess you know thats where I spent the night, right?

Her face softened and she whispered, Robin and I tucked you in there. We offered to take Marina home, but she insisted that she was fine and wouldnt go with us. Jenny paused, and stared at me a moment. She opened her mouth as if to say something else, but stopped.

She stood up and moved towards the door. I hope Ill see you there. About 8. Dont forget a swim suit.

I waved goodbye and moved back to the counter to think about what Id just been told. Marina passed out on the pool table. That I would have liked to have seen..

I arrived at Bette and Tinas at about 8:30. I could hear soft music and laughter coming from behind the house; so rather than go to the front door, I followed the path around the side of the house. The yard was lit with soft light from tikki torches; Dana and Alice were snuggled on a chaise lounge, Jenny and Robin were sitting on the edge of the pool, feet dangling in the water, Tina was sitting across from a woman I didnt recognize and Bette was at the Grill.

I stood by the fence a few moments watching this group of friends, not really believing I’d been invited to join them. They laughed and talked and just seemed to have that relaxed friendship that Id never really experienced. Yes, I had friends, but not like this. This was more like family in its easy closeness. I saw Shane and a woman with pink hair come running out of the house and throw themselves into the pool, dousing Tina as they did. Shrieks and laughter poured out of the backyard.

You look like a child with their nose pressed up against the window of a candy shop.

The voice startled me and I almost fell into the hedge as I turned to face it.

I am sorry; I didnt mean to scare you. Marina smiled as she reached out to steady me. Her hand on my bare skin was warm and sent a jolt to my core. I stared at her, thinking about what shed just said. Shed read me perfectly; rarely was I that transparent.

I broke the intense stare and glanced back over my shoulder before I spoke, I just felt awkward. Like I was about to walk into something.um.special? Something private that Im not really supposed to be a part of. You know?

Now, it was Marinas turn to look away. I thought I saw a tear glisten in the moonlight, threatening to fall before she turned back to me and said Come on. I can smell the grill. Lets get in there.

She took my hand and led me through the gate. Look who I found loitering by the fence. She announced as we stepped into the light of the yard.

They all erupted into applause and Alice yelled out, The only woman that has ever out Marina-ed Marina. Shane whistled and Dana let out a cat call. I wasnt sure any of it was meant as a compliment, but I laughed and took an exaggerated bow. I looked back at Marina. She rolled her eyes, and I could tell shed taken a fair amount of ribbing over this already.

Tina got up and took me by the arm. Im so glad you came. I think you know everyone. She paused and looked around. Oh, except Kit. Freddie this is Kit, Bettes sister. Kit waved hello and I tipped my head slightly in hello.

Shane waved from the pool, And this is.. she looked at the woman for a second then back at me this is Michele.

Hi Shane, Michele I waved.

Tina motioned through the double doors as she said The bathroom is down the hall, the first door on the right, if you want to change into your suit.

That can wait. Alice barked. That can wait. Freddie get over here and tell us about Marinas night on the pool table.

I looked around at all the women, then down at the ground before I gave Marina a small wink and headed over to Alice and Dana to tell them what little bit I remembered of the night. Of course I embellished and played it up. Eventually, Marina joined in—-just to keep the story honest she said. She accepted the gentle teasing and we all laughed as she told how Thomas had actually left her on the pool table afraid to wake her up as he went about opening the Planet.

The night ran into the wee hours of morning and was filled with talking and laughter. As I drove home, I thought about how the stories had tumbled out of everyone. Id heard about Bette and Tinas near break up more than a year ago over evil-carpenter-girl as they all referred to her. Jenny offered up her coming out story: the Marina-Jenny-Tim Triangle, morphed into the Jenny-Tim-Marina-Francesca—trapezoid??— that turned briefly into the Jenny-Robin-Marina triangle, before it slowly resolved into Robin and Jenny in love. I learned how Marina had almost lost the Planet and how Kit had helped her raise the money to buy Francesca out. They all teased Kit—straight Kit—about her brief fling with Ivan the drag king. Alice told about Crazy-Tonyas seduction of Dana and the ensuing very brief engagement. Dana followed that with the story of Alices bold middle-of-the-night appearance on Danas door step to profess her love and about Shanes brush with fame followed by disaster. It was odd, many of the stories were clearly about painful, difficult times the circle of friends had seen, some in the not so distant past; but they all were told with warmth, laughter, forgiveness and love. I didnt feel like an outsider at all when I left, but rather like Id known these women all my life.