“Thanks, I will try my best.” Harper says.

***

It’s 6:30 when Harper arrives at Jenny and Shane’s. As she walks toward the house she can hear music and laughter coming from the backyard. The sign on the front door reads Party In The Rear, so she makes her way down the short driveway. The gate is open and she slowly makes her way through it. Jenny is the first to spot her.

“You made it!” She says sounding very excited. “Welcome!” She says giving Harper an unexpected hug.

“Yeah.” Is all Harper thinks to say as she juggles the six pack of beer in her hand.

Alice and Dana are sitting wrapped around each other on the hammock. They see Harper and get up to say hello.

Harper sees the two girls and waves as they approach her. She hopes everything will be cool.

“Hey Harper!” Alice says all smiles embracing her.

“Hey, how are you?” Harper says.

“I’m great. You remember Dana.” Alice chuckles.

“Yes, of course.” Harper says.

“It’s good to see you.” Dana says giving Harper a hug.

“Good to see you too.”

Dana and Alice hold hands and smile at each other.

“It’s so great that you could come.” Alice says.

“What happened to your friend?” Jenny asks.

“She’s stuck in Texas. Her plane had some sort of mechanical problem and they had to land in Dallas.” Harper remembers the beer in her hand. “Oh here, this is for you.” She shows the beer to Jenny.

“Great! Thanks! Would you mind putting it in the fridge for me?” She says.

“Of course not.”

“Right in there. You can’t miss it.” Jenny points toward the open kitchen door.

Harper walks into the kitchen where Shane is busy cutting up tomatoes.

“Nice place you got.” Harper says.

Shane looks at Harper and smiles big. “What are you doing here?”

“You invited me, remember?”

“You know what I mean.” Shane feels her heart racing.

“Emily’s flight was grounded in Dallas because of a mechanical problem.”

“Good… I mean, that’s bad for her. But good for us because you can join us now.” Shane tries to recover gracefully. “Here let me take that for you.” She says seeing the beer.

“I got it! You’re busy cutting stuff.” Harper goes to the fridge and makes herself busy finding room for the beer.