A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review, and follow! I appreciate it.
I'm going to ask your indulgence for a minute. I have a close circle of friends that I've known for well over half of my life, and we've been through a lot together. One of them and her husband tested positive for COVID-19. Now, I don't know if any of you have tested positive or if you know someone that has or lost someone as a result of this pandemic. If you have, know that you are in my thoughts. When I first started writing this, things were still up in the air with them. I am beyond relieved to tell you that both of them are on the road to recovery and have finally been able to leave their bedroom. They had been staying there to keep away from their kids. Their son is in college and finishing up his semester at home. Their daughter is home on a break before starting graduate school and after finishing a Fulbright Scholarship (I jokingly tell her she is an underachiever). Now, the kids haven't been tested, but they both showed symptoms of this virus to a lesser degree than their parents and are recovering now as well. It's weird how differently they have all been affected. My friends and I started having weekly video meetings via Zoom a few weeks ago. It's been really nice to see them while we talk. When we talked the other night, my friend looked so much better than the week before, and that was so good to see.
As for me, I'm doing okay, but I did just have the weirdest birthday I've ever had. I've been working from home for almost a month now and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. I have only gone out to pick up carryout to support local restaurants or go to the grocery store for essentials. These are scary times. I know that I've never experienced anything like this. I live in Kentucky and have a Governor (Andy Beshear) that I am extremely proud of. I'm going to keep listening to him and following his orders and/or suggestions along with those of the medical professionals. Please keep yourselves safe. Listen to the medical professionals. It will take some time, but we'll get through this. I'll be thinking of all of you.
This chapter picks up where the last one left off and is a little shorter, but I wanted to get something up for everyone. Hope you enjoy this update!
/
Once they were in Marissa's car and their seatbelts were fastened, Jo cleared her throat. "Bianca, I just wanted to apologize again. I'm really sorry that I gave you the wrong impression of my relationship with Marissa."
"Apology accepted, again. I know how important you are to Marissa and her to you. You were looking out for her. I get it. Trust me. Kendall and Greenlee are very protective of me."
"That's putting it mildly." Marissa smirked.
Bianca chuckled. "True, but you handled them with no problem. I respect where you're coming from, Jo. So, what do you say that we just start over?"
Jo sighed in relief and smiled. "I'd like that very much, Bianca."
"Me too. Hi, I'm Bianca."
"Ah, Bianca. You're Marissa's girlfriend. It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Jo."
"Marissa's best friend. It's nice to finally meet you too. Rissa's told me a lot about you."
"All good I hope?"
"Definitely."
"Whew! That's a relief." Jo swiped her forehead to wipe away imaginary sweat. "As for what she's told me about you …"
"Anything good?"
Jo scoffed. "Nothing short of glowing. She actually gushed, and Marissa has never done that. Trust me. That tells me exactly how special you are to her."
Bianca grinned. "Really?"
Marissa laughed. "Like that was ever in doubt. Kendall and Greenlee? Now, they are a completely different story. But you, B, never in doubt."
Bianca blushed and squeezed Marissa's knee. "Same."
Jo shook her head and smiled as she observed the couple. She had been telling the truth when she had stated that Marissa had gushed about Bianca, and Jo had never seen her friend like that, ever. In the little time she had spent with Bianca, Jo got the same impression from her. The Tasker family as a whole were huge fans of Bianca. Jo wanted to spend more time with Bianca however to be positive though. Marissa was not only her best friend but the closest person she had to a sister. They had been there for each other over the years, and that wasn't going to stop now. Marissa's voice pulled Jo from her thoughts.
"Krystal is going to be so surprised to see you."
"I'm not so sure. I mean, I'm no Lydia Tasker."
Marissa laughed. "True but who is? There is only one of her after all. Krystal will still be happy to see though. Oh, Bianca, we should probably warn her about Opal."
"Ooh, you're probably right. Opal is a lot to spring on someone without warning."
"Don't I know that."
"Okay. Now, I'm curious. Who is Opal and why do I need to be warned about her?" Jo asked.
/
Bianca, Marissa, and Jo managed to get to Krystal's a few minutes before Kendall, Greenlee, and Fiona. When they entered, they were immediately greeted by a thrilled Krystal.
"Jo! Oh my god! It is so good to see you again! This is a wonderful surprise! It's been way too long! How's Jessica?" The words flowed out all at once as Krystal hugged Jo and had the younger woman laugh.
"Hi, Krystal. It's good to see you too. Mom is doing good and keeping busy."
"Jo volunteered to bring Fi back here. It turns out that Mom had a migraine. Don't worry. She is under Jessica's care." Marissa was quick to assure Krystal knowing she would be worried about Lydia.
"Well, I'm sorry to hear Lydia isn't feeling well, but there is no one better to take care of her than Jessica. I'll call later to check on her though. That was very nice of you to bring Fiona here, Jo."
"I enjoy spending time with her. Besides, I get to spend some time with this one here too as a result." Jo nodded towards Marissa.
"Oh yes. If memory serves me right, these two were as thick as thieves growing up, Bianca. You wouldn't find one without the other, and Fiona usually wouldn't be too far behind. Speaking of, where is Fiona?"
"She chose Kendall and Greenlee over us. They're more fun. We got stuck with Jo." Marissa chuckled when Jo smacked her arm.
"Jo, you're not supposed to smack Rissa. Your Mom wouldn't like it." Fiona scolded her friend as she, Kendall, and Greenlee arrived just in time to see the playful 'assault'.
"You're right, Fiona. She wouldn't, but your sister was being a brat."
"I was merely being honest. Krystal was asking where you were, Fi. I told her that you chose Kendall and Greenlee over us because they were more fun. So, we got stuck with Jo."
Fiona thought for a moment before she nodded with a grin. "You're right, Rissa. They are more fun. Sorry you got stuck with Jo."
"Hey!" Jo protested.
Marissa cracked up at her sister's quip.
Krystal laughed and hugged Fiona. "It's good to see you, Fiona. Bianca's going to need your help keeping those two in line." Krystal pointed towards Marissa and Jo.
"I have a feeling you're right about that, Krystal. Fiona's definitely going to be a big help with them as well as helping with Kendall and Greenlee." Bianca winked at Fiona.
"Yep, you can count on me to help you, Bianca!" Fiona puffed out her chest proudly being tasked with helping Bianca.
"Hey! Wait! What did Greenlee and I do?" Kendall asked as she feigned hurt.
"You simply are you. That's more than enough." Bianca smirked.
Greenlee shrugged. "I hate to admit it, but she does have a point. You are very much a troublemaker."
Kendall scoffed. "If that isn't the pot calling kettle black, I don't know what is."
"Fiona! Honey, have I missed you!" Opal shouted as she rushed over to greet the young woman who had quickly become one of her favorite people.
"Hi, Opal!" Fiona smiled brightly and hugged the older woman.
Jo glanced at Marissa and mouthed 'Oh'. She immediately understood what Bianca and Marissa had told her about Opal on the way over to the restaurant. While Opal was a bit on the loud side as well as being fairly nosy, the couple assured Jo that she really didn't mean any harm. Opal also had an equally large heart and adored Fiona.
After a moment, Jo found herself on the end of Opal's curiosity.
"You're new."
Marissa somehow managed to hold back her laughter and introduced the two. "Opal, I'd like you to meet my best friend Jo Shelton. Jo, I'd like you to meet Opal Gardner."
"It's nice to meet you, Opal."
"Well, Marissa's best friend. It's nice to meet you too. We'll have to talk so you can tell me all about this one here."
"As her best friend, I will tell you upfront that there are things that I will not divulge. Nothing bad, mind you. Just more embarrassing than anything else."
"Hmph." Opal was a little disappointed because she had been hoping for some good dirt on Marissa which she would immediately share with her best gal pal. When she took a moment to think about it however, she understood. "I suppose that is the sign of a best friend. I would be the same way with my best gal pal Erica."
On the drive over, Bianca had told her that Opal considered herself her Mom's best friend (or as Opal would say her best gal pal). Jo definitely thought Erica Kane and Opal Gardner made an odd couple. According to Bianca, most people thought the same. Bianca assured Jo, however, that they were indeed good friends. She had seen them stand by each other in both good and bad times. Jo decided not to judge for two very good reasons. One, it wasn't really her place. Two, Jo's Mom would be disappointed in her if she did and not let her ever hear the end of it. The one thing that Jo, or anyone else for that matter who knew her Mom, would want was to have Jessica Shelton disappointed in her.
"Well, Marissa and Fiona are family." Jo added as she shared a smile with Marissa.
"That we are. Plus, neither of our Moms would like it if we talked about each other." Marissa grinned.
Jo chuckled. "True."
"I know your Mamas, and you're both right. So, behave yourselves. I don't want to have to call them." Krystal smirked.
"Yes, ma'am." The friends answered in unison with a mock salute thrown in for good measure.
Krystal rolled her eyes and sighed. "Sit down. I'll grab you some menus. After you order, Jo, we'll catch up."
"Sounds like a plan."
"Oh, I forgot my phone in the car, Kendall."
"Do you want me to get it for you, Fiona?"
"I can get it. I remember where you parked."
"Okay. Don't forget to lock the car back up." Kendall handed over the key to her car.
"I won't forget. Thanks. Rissa, I forgot my phone in Kendall's car, and I'm going to go get it. I'll be right back."
"Sounds good, Fi. Thanks for letting me know. Do you want me to order you something to drink?"
"Some iced tea?"
"You got it." Marissa smiled as she watched Fiona hurry out of the restaurant. She then turned her attention to Bianca.
"Let's go sit down. I don't know about you, but I'm starving." Bianca suggested.
Marissa nodded. "Me too."
/
Fiona walked down the sidewalk to where Kendall had parked her car. She clicked on the key fob to unlock the car door as she approached it.
"Whoa! Don't tell me that someone like you has a driver's license?"
