Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

AN: Although this fanfic is several years old, the view in the epilogue remains constant. This fiction deals with many aspects in life. Thank you for giving it a chance and thank you so much for reading.

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"As sure as the sun is bright, this will seem like the longest lunch in the world today," I thought to myself as I took a glance at my wife of five years. In her arms she carried her latest novel, signed, and ready to be delivered into the hands of my best friend's second wife. It was incomprehensible as to even why the true love of my life was his wife's favorite author. To make matters worse, I knew my sweetheart was just as apprehensive as I was about the whole situation, after all, we hadn't seen them in three years. I guess we all lost touch with each other over time because we were just too busy with our own lives. I had my research, my wife had her books, and they had their own careers. It was Gerald who made the call. He'd gotten a message from his agent confirming the need to move out west was for real, so he thought it would be nice for all of us to have a last get together for "old time's sake." I'd heard him ask through the phone receiver:

"So, will you come?"
"Of course we'll come!" was her response, and then she looked at me in question. I nodded a "yes" before turning, once again, to face my computer.
"You wanna talk to Arnold?...No, your agent will be calling you any minute?...Okay, one o'clock tomorrow?...Sure, we'll see you then...Huh?...Yeah, yeah, she'll be getting the first copy... All right, bye." And with that, she hung up the receiver. I knew she knew I was watching her reflection through the mirror next to the computer monitor. She walked toward my desk setting both hands on my shoulders. Leaning over and giving me a kiss on my cheek she asked, "You ready for this?"
"Yeah, I think so."
So here it was a quarter to one, both of us strolling slowly toward BIGAL'S TASTY CAFE. I knew I was asking for it, but I had to lighten the mood somehow. I decided to make a bold inquiry.
"If you don't mind my asking, does this new novel reflect all the chick flicks you've been watching lately?" CRACK! Right on top my head, but it was worth it! Oh, how love hurts, literally! This was her thickest novel yet! I couldn't help but grin wildly at the thought of what was coming next!
"Oh, you stupid football head! Is that all you think I do is sit around watching sappy romance crap all day?!"
"No," I smiled, "but I do know what you watch every Monday night at nine o'clock on the first men's network."
"Shut up, Mr. National Geographic!" she smiled right back, threatening me with her book again. Somehow, she knew as to what my intention was because she gently lowered the book to the ground and asked,

"You okay, Arnold?" Damn! As of late, she could always see right through me!
"I'm not sure I can do this," I confessed. She stepped in front of me, took me by the arms, searched my eyes, then came to a conclusion.
"Yes you can, Arnold. Hell, if I can, I know you can. It's not...?"
"No, no, it's not that!" Why would she even consider that now? "It's just that, well, Gerald's my best friend and I feel like I've ignored him all these years." She flashed a warm compassionate smile.
"Arnold, I'm sure Gerald understands. We're adults now, and it's not like we haven't kept in contact with him. Besides, he called us, remember? I think I know what's bothering you. You're afraid of..." she swept her hands down my arms, placing them into mine, squeezing my fingers tightly. "Everything's gonna be fine." She then gave me that look with her eyes that, which, for the life of me, I had yet to understand.
Gazing into those eyes was like gazing into two vast oceans of deep blue filled with tears created from the sorrow of a lonely, painful childhood and beyond. In my imagination I wanted to set sail on those waters, but for some reason I couldn't. The waves were too rough and I'd always see a woman dressed in black, her hair, fair as the yellow rose, following the wind. She always held her back to me, yet she always seemed to be waiting for someone or something. Who or what it was I could never figure out. I had to close my eyes. The image was too perplexing.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I was just wondering why you always give me that look?"
"What look?"
"The one you're giving me now."
"Oh! That look! You mean, after all these years, you don't know?"
"Well, no. "
"It means that I..." then she placed a finger to her lips contemplating. "No, you've got to learn this for yourself, and I think after this little lunch date you just might." She shook her head. "Still dense after all these years!"
"Learn what?...Dense?! Hey!" Not only was she confusing me, but starting to annoy me as well.
"Nevermind. Come on, it's five to one, let's go!" She knelt down to pick up the novel, then stood up and grabbed my my arm, pulling it so hard that I amost lost my balance, but that was her.
We stood at the front door of the cafe, both of us taking a deep breath and a last look at each other before entering. I slowly pulled the handle and we walked in.

My wife and I looked at each other in anticipation as two blondes neared the door of the cafe, one with hair pale as the moon, the other's gold like the morning sunrise. The latter was my best buddy. He was giving his wife a clever smile when I saw what looked like a dictionary of a thing land on top of his head. The impact was so loud we could hear it inside the diner and I saw her lips form those two familiar words. Football head. Guess he'd live with that one forever!
"Man, that had to hurt!" but my wife wasn't paying attention. She was drooling over that colossal encyclopedia of words she couldn't wait to get her hands on. I'd asked why she, of all people, liked novel written by someone who write the corniest poetry. She said she'd never read any of her poetry. I was glad she didn't. Man, was it pathetic! Of course, that was years ago so who knew? I looked back at Arnold who was still smiling... still smiling? What was he, CRAZY? Well, if I had to live with that girl for five years I'd be crazy too. Then she gave him that weird look she used to give him when they were dating. I remember her giving me a similar look like that a few years back. It was like looking into a mystic's dark blue crystal balls where all your thoughts could be read. It was too freaky and it gave me nightmares just thinkin' about it. I pushed the thought aside turning to my wife who was giveing me a pleading look with her eyes. She was unusually quiet today, but I understood why.
"Relax, baby. This is gonna be like old times." As soon as I'd said it, the two blondes walked in and approached our table.
"Hey Arnold, my main man, how's it goin' buddy?"
"What's up, Gerald?" He shook my hand, and for being a scientist, he sure had a firm grip. Musta had somethin' to do with that girl of his.
"Have a seat."
"I'll be right back. I've gotta use the powder room. You know what to order for me, and I hope the waitress hurries it up. I'm starvin'." The pale blonde walked toward the ladies room.
"Arnold, why in the hell did you marry that girl?" My wife just looked at me with a smirk.
"Gerald, we've had this conversation before." He gave my wife that half lidded look that caused her to straighten up and wipe the smile right off her face.
"I know, but why?" Even after five years, it still struck me odd the two of them could be so close.
"Because I love her, Gerald. You don't know her like I do. She's-"
"Ahem!" I cleared my throat to let him know she was right behind him.
"You're back already?"
"False alarm." She smiled at him lovingly and sat down quietly. She'd softened some through the years. Musta had somethin' to do with my best friend. The conversation was going nowhere fast so I decided to liven things up.
"This is just like old times, isn't it?"
"Sort of, except for our, um, dates." He gave my wife that half lidded look again.
"You remember the time when we started our sophmore year at P. S. 118 High School?" I knew he'd remember that day! His wife leaned back folding her arms, then glanced sideways and gave him a mischievous smile. I remembered that day because his reactions to the events of it were just too weird.
"Yeah, I remember."

Yeah, I remembered that day, all right. It was a day I'd never forget.

Author's Note: Thank you for the constructive criticism.