“I bet that was amazing.” Shane says.

“It was. It’s so different now. I hardly recognize the city when I go back.” Harper looks down at her coffee cup.

“I can imagine.” Shane doesn’t know what to say.

“I was visiting when it happened.” Harper’s voice is quiet.

“Oh my God.”

“I was six blocks away. We went up on the roof when we heard the first plane hit. We didn’t know what was going on. When we saw that one of the Towers was on fire we stood there frozen. We had no idea a plane hit it. Then a few minutes later the second plane came. It flew fifty feet over my head. It was like a movie, like it wasn’t real.” Harper’s eyes are fixed on Downtown Los Angeles.

“Holy *****.” Shane can’t imagine witnessing such an event, seeing horrific history like that in the making. “I can’t believe you were there, so close. Jesus. That’s intense.”

“Yeah… I saw a lot of things, horrible things, that I never in a million years dreamed I would see.” Harper takes a deep breath. She shakes her head and chuckles, “I’m sorry I don’t know where that came from.”

“It’s ok, really.” Shane says trying to sound reassuring.

“I don’t usually pull out my most depressing stories until I’ve known someone longer.”

They both laugh, the spell is broken and they drift into more casual conversation. Shane is trying her best to avoid her elusive and evasive nature and give Harper real answers to questions.

“Is it weird for you that I’ve slept with two of your friends?” Harper asks out of the blue.

“Uh, not really. It’s kind of funny actually.” Shane smiles at her thinking about the scenario.

“It is, isn’t it?” Harper laughs. “I thought my days, well nights, of one night stands were way behind me. And when I finally get myself back into the dating scene I have two of them.”

“So you’re not a stranger to one night stands then.” Shane feels almost relieved.

“No. It’s a nasty habit I kicked long ago. About the same time I kicked drugs.” Harper reveals a bit of her past.

“What made you stop?”

“What drugs or one night stands?” Harper asks.