One month later...

Jason, Kat, Adam, Tanya, Rocky, Aisha, and Tommy decided to have a little reunion, to catch up on things. The old gang ate at an Italian restaurant called Nino's, in Angel Grove. Rocky was the first to break the silence.

"So, what's this I've been hearing? Who's this new girl? Olivia or something?"

"Yeah, Adam gave me her address, and Billy gave her mine. She's pretty interesting. She's great, actually."

"So, how's it going with you and her?" Adam asked.

"Well, we talk about a lot of stuff. Turns out, we have pretty much a lot in common. We talk about politics, history, teaching, all that stuff. She actually has the same tastes as me. We like the same movies."

"Like what?" Aisha put in.

"You guys probably don't know this, but I like Nick Cassavetes' The Notebook."

"What! You like The Notebook?" Rocky said, almost choking on his Chardonnay. "Ugh!"

"What! I'm a hopeless romantic!" Tommy retorted. Everyone laughed at Tommy's reply, and they were all certainly having a good time.

"Seriously, bro? You like The Notebook?" Jason asked, surprised.

"What guy wouldn't want a happy ending like Noah, especially if someone special you used to have broke your heart?!"

"Ouch," Adam said, wincing. Rocky bit his lip.

"Easy, bro! Calm down. No offense meant."

"Sorry. None taken."

"So, tell us about this Olivia."

"Well, she has a 10-year-old daughter. She's just the cutest thing ever. She sent me a photo. Isn't she just cute?" Tommy said, taking out a folded piece of paper from his coat's breast pocket. He handed it Kat.

"Aww... She's such a doll," Kat said, passing it to Tanya, until the picture circulated around the table. And all through the evening, Tommy talked about nothing but Olivia.



Tommy's house

Reefside, California

10:00pm

Tommy got into the house, changed for bed, but later, thought of e-mailing Olivia. He went to his computer, turned it on, and e-mailed her.

Dear Olivia,

Tonight, I went out with friends, and guess what... I couldn't talk of anything but you! Have I ever told you how lucky I am that our friends cared enough to point us toward each other? You're an interesting woman, Olivia. You know that? Each time we e-mail each other, your e-mails keep getting interesting. I know it's 10:00pm now, but I couldn't resist the urge to e-mail you. Send my regards to your daughter. By the way, I found this poem among my old stuff. I thought they were gone forever. Turns out, my brother Ted kept it for me, at our old house, in the basement.

Beds of Hyacinth, and roses
Where young Adonis oft reposes,
Waxing well of his deep wound
In slumber soft, and on the ground
Sadly sits th' Assyrian Queen...

I'm sure you know that poem. Anyways, hope to hear from you again, soon... Goodnight, goodnight, parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight, till it be morrow.

With my regards,

Tommy

He clicked send, signed out, and headed to bed. Olivia was such an interesting woman, and he couldn't wait to meet her.