*****

Serena sat at the table the next morning hovering over a cup of steaming coffee.

“Good morning,” Veronica greeted strolling into the kitchen.

“Oh, hey,” Serena returned.

She watched as her friend poured her own cup.

“Ronnie…”

“Serena…”

Both women began but stopped.

“You first.”

“No, you first.”

Serena let out a gulp of breath.

“Ronnie, I’m sorry for last night.”

“I’m the one that should be apologize.”

“No, me. You’re my best friend. You’ve been the most supportive person in my life. Look at me now, I’m jobless and homeless and you’ve welcomed me in with open arms.”

“You know no one else in New York, Serena,” she laughed.

“Be that as it may… I don’t want to lose my best friend.”

“Your only friend,” Veronica corrected.

“Okay, my only friend,” she smiled, ” can we hug already?”

Veronica set her cup down and opened her arms.

*****

“243,245,247,” Evan singsonged checking the numbers on doors.

She walked down 81^st and Lexington ( people, I’m just guessing this is how the address numbers run. Don’t ream me out if it’s wrong) looking for the building that held her prize.

“249, this is it,” she said out loud.

Evan walked up to the door and an older man quickly held it open.

“May I help you?”

“Uh, yeah… I’m looking for Veronica Sessions. I really don’t live in New York and I’m not sure if I have the right building.”

“Well the first thing I can tell you is… never say that you’re not from around here. Aside from you looking like a tourist, that generally tips off the thieves. Okay, darling?”

Evan wasn’t happy with the term of endearment but said okay anyway as an answer.

“You’re in luck. Ms. Sessions has not left for work yet.”

“If I write her a note can you give it to her?”

“Of course sweetheart.”

Evan smiled.

She quickly pulled out her pen and a slip of paper.

“Make sure she get this as soon as she comes down. And don’t tell her I was here,” Evan explained giving the man the thrice folded paper.

“Not a problem.”

“Thank you.”

Evan slipped back out the door and around the nearest corner. She looked at her watch and noticed the approaching hour.