*Meet me at the park by 4 p.m. We’ll take off from there.*
Three dotted lines appeared on the screen, indicating she was typing a response. I waited.
*Who’s sponsoring this? Avery or you?*
I knew why she was asking, so I answered honestly.
*This rendezvous is courtesy of me, Joey. Happy now?*
She responded quickly this time.
*See you by 4 then, dear friend.*
Joey and I had an amazing time buying as many things as we wanted, without paying any heed to the cost.Not that we needed that much stuff, but it wasn’t every day that I indulged in such extravagance. Today, however, I was happy to do so.
I picked up two different pairs of shoes. “Beige or mauve?” I lifted them alternatively for Joey to help me choose.
She tilted her head, her fingers steepled in front of her lips. “Hmm, I think I like beige better.”
I dropped the mauve shoe and completed the beige pair without any questions.
“Do you need more things?” I asked Joey as she rolled the cart to the cashier to make our payments. I had just laid eyes on a cerulean purse I thought she might like.
Joey gave me a suspicious look. “Licia, are you dying tomorrow or suffering from a terminal illness I don’t know about?” She asked, her forehead creased with concern. “I know I can be a lot, but please don’t die on me. I still need you.”
I laughed, a genuine, hearty laugh. “How in the world did you come up with that? I only asked if you wanted to get more things. That purse looks really chic,” I emphasized, pointing to the purse that had caught my attention earlier.
“This is already a lot of shopping for one day, Licia. We’ve gone from the spa to the jeweler, to designer fashion outlets, and now we’re here. Don’t get me wrong; I love the treat, but you’re not usually this spendthrift. So, how else could I explain it?”
“True, it doesn’t happen every day. Why don’t you just enjoy the moment?”
“I am enjoying it, but there’s more to it, isn’t there? Am I right?”
I sighed. Joey always had a way of reading me like a book. “Well, I needed to let off some steam, but it’s nothing linked to death or illness. Don’t worry, I’ll be around for a long time.”
“So there is something, after all,” she asserted.
“Yes, there is. Let’s just do what we’re here to do, and then we can talk about it later.”
“If that’s the case, I think I’ve gotten more than enough. We can pay for these and head out.”
There was no winning an argument with Joey. She always found a way to have the last word.
“Fine by me.”
I settled the bills, and we proceeded to load the items into the car. I took a moment to check out all the purchases. The back seat of the car was filled with bags.
“Now do you see what I’m talking about?” Joey asked, seeing my reaction to the mountain of items we bought. “It’s a crazy amount.”
I chuckled. “I know. I just had to distract myself from my chaotic thoughts. Thanks for walking with me through it.”
“Save the thanks for later. Tell me, what’s the matter?” she probed, securing her seat belt after shutting her door.
“At this rate, I think I have the weirdest love life and deserve a world record for it.”
“How so? I thought Avery was doing amazingly well at winning your heart. You barely have time to talk to me anymore.”
“Why are you so petty? I thought I explained why I couldn’t make it to your house the other day. Why are you still hung up on it?” I was laughing uncontrollably, but I kept my eyes on the road. I was wary of car crashes.
