Beth feels a pang of sympathy for the fragile girl across from her.  “How does it feel to have it now?“

“Amazing.“ Shane lowers her eyes shyly.

“What did I miss?“  Harper says sitting back down at the table.

“A little girl talk.“  Beth says giving Shane a knowing wink.

“Next time stay a little longer, ok?“  Beth says embracing her daughter.

“I will.“

“I miss you.“

“I miss you too Mom.  I love you.“  Harper kisses her cheek.

“Love you too Honey, be safe.“

“I will.“

“And you“  Beth hugs Shane, “It was nice to finally meet you.“

“Likewise.“  Shane says warming to the motherly hug.

“Get my number from Harper if you need anything while you‘re here you call me.  I‘m just a short train ride away.“  Beth ends the embrace.

“Thank you, I will.“  Shane smiles.

“I mean it!  Even if you just want to get out of the city for a night.  You can stay in Harper‘s old room.“

“All right.“  Shane is touched by her warmth and generosity.

“You girls take good care of each other.“  She says getting in her car.

“We will!  Get home safe.  Call me when you get there.“  Harper says sounding like a parent.

“Yes, dear.“  Beth smiles and blows a kiss before pulling away from the curb.

The girls watch her car fade into the traffic before beginning their walk.

“Your Mom‘s rad!“  Shane gives Harper‘s hand a squeeze.

“Yeah, she‘s pretty amazing.  I‘m glad you like her.“  Harper smiles.

“I hope she liked me.“  Shane says filled with insecurity.

“I‘d say you made a good impression.  She wouldn‘t have invited you to the house otherwise.  Or given you a hug.  If she hadn‘t liked you she would‘ve shook your hand and said ‘it was nice to meet you Shane.  Good luck with your job.‘  And then I‘d get an earful about how wrong you were for me.“  Harper laughs, “You‘re golden.  And now I‘ll probably get the ‘Don‘t ***** it up‘ speech.

Shane can only smile as she‘s filled with a complete sense of relief.

**

As Harper‘s time in New York nears its end she finds herself racking her brain, trying to find a way to do her work from there.  She knows it‘s not really an option but she entertains the thought anyway.  Leaving Shane now seems like an impossible task.  Their last few days have been magical and not just because they are having *****.  Its so much more then that.  They‘ve connected on some level Harper didn‘t even know existed.  She wonders to herself if this is what people mean by soul mates. Before she can give the idea further thought the silence is broken by the chirping of Shane‘s phone.