The girls are seated in a small Italian restaurant overlooking the Sound. The setting has an air of romance. The table is cozy, the room dimly lit, the view of the city lights sparkling on the water, it’s all very seductive.

“You deserve it.” Ruthie smiles.

“Thank you.” Harper says sipping her wine. “You’ve done well for yourself too. Seattle’s been good for you.”

“Better then L.A., that’s for sure. The music industry just wasn’t open to me there. But up here, I don’t know, people are just more willing to give you a chance. So now I get to engineer records for lots of cool people. Not just lame punk rock bands with a five hundred dollar budget.”

“Aw you used to love those gigs. And those bands.” Harper says remembering how hard Ruthie would work on the those records.

“I know and they taught me lots of things. I have to be honest though, it’s nice to work in a fully loaded studio and get paid well. It’s nice not to be the struggling artist anymore.” Ruthie takes a bite of her pasta.

“I know how that feels. It’s pretty awesome when you don’t have to wonder how you are going to pay rent, put gas in your car and pay all your bills.”

“Yep. I guess we’re grown ups now.” They both laugh.

“Responsible adults.” Harper adds.

“Yes, that too.” Ruthie agrees still laughing at the thought. “I suppose if that were really true we’d be settling down and starting families too.”

Harper almost chokes on her wine. “Starting families? How is that responsible?”

“Oh don’t go getting all political on me. All I’m saying is it would be nice to be in love, and have a life with someone. And when the time was right maybe have a kid or two.”

“When did you get so maternal?” Harper remembers the girl who never wanted kids.

“Guess when I turned 30 my biological clock turned on.” Ruthie smiles. “Don’t you ever think about it?”

“Sure I’ve thought about it. But I can’t really imagine myself having that life. Not because I wouldn’t want to be a Mom, but because I don’t think I’d find the person who’s right to do it with. The person who will be there forever. My past shows me that forever is easily said and much harder to do.”