“Wow, I definitely caught you in a good mood.  No insults?  No obscenities?  Are you feeling okay?”  I had to smile at him again.  Today I was all smiles, and I truly had no idea why.  I just felt nice inside.  It was a little creepy.  

“Maybe I just woke up on the right side for the first time.”

He chuckled and returned to the counter when he noticed that a line had formed.  I finished my coffee and shot him a wave before leaving the coffee house for my trip to the studio.  

I stood outside of Chelsea’s gallery waiting for Madison.  I could only give her a few more minutes before I had to venture in alone.  My lunch break is not as long as hers apparently.  

After ten more minutes, I gave up and walked through the front doors.  I was a little nervous about seeing Chelsea.  We hadn’t spoken since she left for New York all those years ago.  We had been close, but like so may other things, it all fell apart in one night.  

As I looked around at the walls, I realized that she was still very talented.  She’d only gotten better with time.  I wondered if she was still to shy to show up in here.  Clay used to go to all of her shows and videotape them for her.  He was wonderful that way.  

“Well, hi.  Madison told me you were in Chicago, but she sure couldn’t prove it that night at Sparkey’s.”  I smiled as I turned toward her voice.  It still sounded so loving and comforting.

“Yeah, sorry.  I had way too much to drink.”  She smiled at me and I couldn’t help but notice how she regarded me so carefully.  She kept her distance, and I found it very odd.  Very unlike Chelsea, and I wasn’t sure if it was me or the connection she once had with my brother.

I averted my eyes and went back to admiring her work hoping that it would make her more comfortable with my being there.  It didn’t seem to work because when I looked back in her direction, I saw her disappear into another room.

“Great,” I muttered under my breath.  I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to leave or wait for her to return.  Where the hell was Madison?  I opted to stay for a while and see if either girl walked into the room.