Debbie got home from work and tossed her purse on the couch. It had been a glorious week but she was glad it was Friday. Donna was stopping by in a couple of hours and they were finally going to have their night on the town. Debbie had been looking forward to it since Donna suggested it two days earlier. She felt like a new person inside. A person who did not possess Rod's Neil Sedaka CD. Yes, life was good!
Debbie sat down at her computer. It was her habit to check her personal email and Facebook site every afternoon when she got home. She could have done this from work, but Debbie worried that if she ever started doing that it would gradually eat away her entire day. Besides, it was kind of fun having this to look forward to. There wasn't much for email, mostly junk and one from Connie, a designer friend who had moved to Paris. Connie sent an email about every three months, trying to coax Debbie to come visit. In the past, Debbie had resisted this - visiting friends when you are plagued by night sweats can be awkward. Now, Debbie considered it. She sent off a short reply informing Connie that she would check her schedule and get back to her soon. She noticed that Connie's email signature used Constance, instead of Connie. Debbie wondered if maybe she should start going by Debra. She giggled to herself at the thought. No, she wasn't that daring, not just yet.
Debbie logged onto Facebook and contemplated what to put for her status. She noticed that Donna had already changed her to "Donna is heading out for food and fun!". Debbie smiled. She really like Donna. Donna was a talented designer who could fiercely defend her position when the situation merited it. But Donna also had a carefree and silly side that she wasn't afraid to show. In Debbie's mind, a perfect balance. She long to be more like Donna. Debbie looked at the status box, feeling a little silly for over-thinking what to write. Finally, she entered "Debbie is alive again!".
Debbie was about to log out when she noticed the notification alert at the bottom of the screen. She clicked it and found that Rod had accepted her friend request. She smiled. She'd forgotten that she'd even made it. He'd left a message as well. It read, "Hey Debbie, Why don't you do yourself a favor and get out of the Minnesota cold? Phoenix is great this time of year. You should come down. Rod". Debbie considered this for a moment. It had been nice talking to him but she really wasn't interested in a long-distance relationship. Still, it might be nice to see him again.
Debbie and Donna started their evening with dinner at The Fish Bowl, a seafood restaurant downtown. The calamari appetizer had just arrived when Debbie mentioned Rod's note.
"I thought that was over." Donna said, reaching for a particularly tentacled piece.
"It was...it is." Debbie replied. "But, y'know, it might be nice to just see him again. For old time's sake."
Donna leaned forward and looked directly at Debbie. "Listen to me, girl," she said, "I've heard you talking about this guy for as long as I've known you. And you know what? I don't think he sounds like such a gem. You've closed that door. Now lock it and move on."
Debbie nodded and took a sip of wine. She valued Donna's advice and Donna usually was right. Still, there was a part of her that couldn't let it go. She'd changed quite a bit over the years. What if Rod had as well? What if her soul mate was down in Arizona scraping dead armadillos off the highway right now? Debbie felt she needed to know. While Debbie was contemplating all this, she'd lost track of the conversation. Donna was saying something about a design she was working on. Debbie was looking across the room and trying to nod at the appropriate times. Suddenly, she was aware that Donna was no longer talking. Debbie looked at her.
"Are you back?" Donna asked, with mock irritation.
"I need to see him." Debbie said, looking at Donna. "I need to know."
"You need to know what?" Donna asked, knowing the answer.
"You know," Debbie said. "I need to know if he's the one for me. I just need to see him one more time. I'm going to Phoenix."
Donna could see that Debbie had made up her mind. "Listen," she said. "We'll be showing our spring line to the southwest district in a month. One of the stops is Phoenix. Why don't you go along and see him then. You haven't been on the road for a couple of years."
Debbie considered this. Every season the company went around the country showing the new designs to potential buyers. This was usually the work of the marketing team but occasionally some designers went along. She hadn't gone out since her last major design, three years ago.
"Okay," Debbie said. "That's what I'm going to do."
"Good," said Donna. "And, I'm going with you."
Debbie smiled at Donna. Donna truly was a good friend.
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