Devil friend

Meeting an old friend

Irene was a mild mannered and well-read Christian. She was one of the ones you knew would go to heaven if Jesus always came. So why are she and Viv Ivins friends?

"Irene!" A voice called and Irene jumped in the excitement if hearing her friend's voice.

"Vivian!" She exclaimed and went to hug her old friend. "What are you doing here. I wasn't expecting to see you here."

Viv smiled. "I know. I wasn't expecting to see you at an airport either. Where are you going?"

"Oh! Nowhere, actually. I'm here to pick up my husband, He's a pilot here."

"A pilot. Ooh I must meet him. Is he handsome?"

"Of course. I wouldn't have married him otherwise, would I. How is your niece doing. Marianne, wasn't it. Gosh it's been so long since her and I went to school together."

"I know. And then you just had to go and make friends with her crazy aunt instead of her. Still, it didn't seem like we were that different. She's good. She hasn't been married yet though. Gosh how that girl waits. She should marry before she becomes an old bachelorette like me who nobody seems to want."

"You didn't get married wither. Gosh what is with mean these days?" That made Viv laugh.

"No. The men are fine as long as they have money. It's getting me to settle down with them before I take all of it first."

"Viv!" Irene cried out. "It's not about the money, but the man. Haven't you met a man you liked. Someone who's caught your interest for more than the money?"

Viv shrugged. "Not really. I like a man who keeps me on the top of the world, which is how it should be."

Irene chuckled. "You know I believe there's a bible verse that would go against that."

"Oh no! Please, not the bible. I don't need a book telling me how I should live." Viv laughed. "Please don't tell me you're a Christian."

Irene nodded. "I am. Born again for the entire world. I know what's right now. Although if you don't like the bible so much I think you'd like my husband."

Viv looked up expectantly. "You married a nonbeliever? Why would you do that?"

Irene shrugged. "I don't know. More of a challenge. No. Truthfully it's because I fell in love."

"Good for you honey. I bet he's a great catch either way."

"I'm still trying to convert him from his disbelief though. He isn't religious at all. He hates going to church and reading the bible. I wish it weren't so much of a challenge."

Viv sighed. "You married him."

"Hey!" A handsome male called out from over where an airplane had just landed. Irene smiled when she saw her husband. Ray came over. "How long have you been here?"

"Not too long." Irene answered. "In fact I was just talking to my friend here. Her name's Viv. She's been one of my closest friends since college days/

"Nice to meet you." Rayford said and held out his hand to Viv. Viv just smiled and took his hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Mr.…"

"Steele. Rayford Steele, but you can just call me Ray." Rayford replied. Irene felt so dumb. She had absolutely forgotten to tell her Viv her husband's name. "So did you just come in or are you going out?"
"Oh!" Viv turned to Irene excitedly. "I just got in. I was about to go find a hotel when I met you here. Do you know of any good ones?"

"A hotel!" Irene said. "I would never let my friend stay in a motel. Ray, the guest room is fit right?"

"Of course!" Ray said and looked at Viv, "You are very welcome to stay for as long as you want."

"I wouldn't want to impose…"

"Impose! You! An old friend never imposes. You are going to have to stay with us until you leave. When is that?"

"Next week." Viv answered meekly, as though thinking that would be a problem.

"That's great." Irene said excitedly. "We have so much to catch up on, you and I. And you still have to meet our children."

"Children?" Viv looked down shyly. "I don't know. I haven't been around children in a while. Are you sure I should?"

"Of course!" Irene exclaimed. "I bet they'll just love you, especially Chloe, our daughter. She loves shopping, just like you."

"She does. That's great. I bet I could find her some great deals, and some great men."

"Oh no." Rayford grumbled. "I don't like my little girl being around boys at this age. She's only just turned sixteen. She's not ready for the world of men."

"Sixteen! And you say she isn't ready. Gosh Irene, are you depriving her of boys?"

"No, not at all. She is just learning about the world of boys though, so please take it slow if you do take her out." Irene replied laughing. Truth was, she had had a boyfriend when she was about thirteen. It hadn't turned out well. He broke her heart. She didn't want the same thing happening to her daughter.

The drive home was fun and meeting the children didn't seem like it went all that bad. Both had been nice to her. Chloe thought she was too old, but what did you expect, Viv was in her late fifties. Raymie had said he didn't like her at all, but he had been kind enough to wait until later when she had went up to bed. He had said that he had a bad feeling about her, but Irene told him it was just his imagination, but in all actuality Irene had felt the same way meeting her at first.