Elizabeth was sitting at her kitchen table finishing grading her students' math tests from the school day when her doorbell rang. And it didn't just ring once. It rang six times. Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Only Rosie. She loved the girl like a sister, but she was a bit… eccentric. Elizabeth and Rosie had been friends since the second grade. Elizabeth could still clearly remember Rosie marching up to her on the playground, linking their arms together and saying "we are going to be the best of friends." And it turned out, Rosie was right. Although opposite, the two balanced each other. Where Rosie was loud, outgoing, and impulsive, Elizabeth was more reserved and thoughtful. One might look at the two and not understand how they could be friends, but for them it just worked. They had a close bond after growing up together and attending the same college. They celebrated each other through the good times and leaned on one another through the bad. Elizabeth really wasn't sure what she would do without her.

"Hey Rosie" Elizabeth said while opening the door. "I will never understand your need to ring the doorbell so many times."

Rosie let out one of her contagious laughs as she bounded through the door, her arms full of bags. "Oh, Elizabeth. I thought you stopped trying to understand me years ago" she said laughing again. "I am like the 8th wonder of the world."

Elizabeth laughed following her into the kitchen. "So what all do we have here?" she watched as Rosie started pulling things out of various bags.

"Well I initially thought I would make something for us to eat tonight, but Mexican was calling my name."

"Jose Quesos?"

Rosie paused what she was doing and stared at Elizabeth. "Really? Is there anything else? What type of question is that?" Rosie deadpanned.

"Honestly, Rosie? I don't even know." Elizabeth said just as seriously back. After a moment, both women burst into laughter. Jose Quesos has been their favorite Mexican place for as long as Elizabeth could remember. Not only were their chips, queso, and guac the best in the area, but their fish tacos were to die for.

"I got us the usual queso, guac, and chips. And then I got us fish tacos to share."

"Sounds perfect." Elizabeth got down two plates and glasses. "What would you like to drink?"

"Water is good."

Elizabeth filled up their glasses as Rosie divided up the food. Once they were seated at the table, Rosie looked at Elizabeth while pointing to her with her fork. "So, do you want me to start with a hard question or an easy one?"

Elizabeth paused as she was bringing a bite of food to her mouth. "Umm.. let's start with easy. Slowly work our way up to whatever crazy scheme you have cooked up."

Rosie laughed. "No scheme, I promise. First off, how is school going?"

"It's been good. It always is an adjustment to get back into the swing of things after winter break, but I have a really great class this year. All the students are always so engaged and participate so that makes it more fun for all of us."

"That's good to hear. Nothing worse than boring third graders," she said with a roll of her eyes.

"Rosie!" Elizabeth laughed. Rosie just gave her a shrug.

"And how's that one boy in your class doing? Philip is it?"

"Oh yes. Philip Cantrell. He was back for the first week or so after break. But I heard from his mom Monday that he was admitted back to the hospital."

"Oh no! That breaks my heart to hear!"

"Ugh I know. I feel terrible that a child has to go through so much. And he is such a sweetheart too. My class actually came up with an idea to make cards for him and then it turned into a bigger project for making cards for multiple cancer patients."

"Oh what a wonderful idea!"

"Yes! I was proud of them for thinking of it. What about you? How's the wedding planning going?"

"Wedding planning is good. I feel like we are kinda in a lull right now. All the big stuff planned and booked. I am sure it will get more chaotic once it starts getting closer. Lee and I are meeting with the priest for our required premarital counseling. That's been… interesting" Rosie laughed.

"Good interesting or bad interesting?"

"Oh it's fine. Some of the stuff has been great, and he made us read the Love Languages book. Which I've been trying to get Lee to read with me forever! Guess I just needed some 'divine intervention'" Rosie said nudging Ellizabeth who laughed. "But some of the stuff he talks about is just… outdated. I mean we are not living in the early 1900's anymore!"

Elizabeth laughed again. "What does Lee think of it?"

"Oh you know Lee. He's nothing but polite when we are there and then makes some witty jokes on the drive home. But overall, it's been good. It's definitely a bonding experience."

The women continued to eat and catch up. One thing about Rosie is she was never at a loss of words. The girl could talk forever about anything and everything.

"Oh so what was the hard question you had for me?" Elizabeth asked as they wrapped up their meal.

Rosie slapped her hands together. "Oh yes! How could I forget! I've been wondering about this since this morning." Rosie's face turned serious as Elizabeth wondered what was about to come out of her friend's mouth. "Did it go okay ordering at Starbucks?"

Rosie's serious face slowly turned into a wide smile as she started to laugh. Elizabeth groaned. "Rosie. You know I hate ordering at Starbuck's. I mean honestly, how am I supposed to know the difference between an americano and a macchiato. Tell me HOW do these people know how to order these special drinks?"

Rosie laughed and patted her hand. "I don't know dear. I just don't know."

"But it went fine because I ordered my go to chai latte." Elizabeth stated with a joking glare. She briefly wondered if she should mention to Rosie about the stranger she ran into, but then quickly decided against it. Rosie had the tendency to romanticize everything into a giant fairytale, and not to mention she wasn't even sure what she would say if she were to bring it up. Oh I also ran into this man and I thought I knew him somehow, but I didn't actually know him. No, there was definitely no reason to bring that up. She shook her head dismissing the thought. "Anyways, on to more important things. Cake?!"

"Yes!" Rosie eagerly agreed while getting up to get the dessert.

The woman sat around talking for the rest of the evening while enjoying their fair share of the delectable dessert. As the night was winding down, Elizabeth smiled. "You know Rosie. I was nervous you had ulterior motives for coming over tonight. But I am so thankful you did. I needed this."

Rosie's eyes softened as her voice took on a more serious tone. "Elizabeth. You have been my best friend for years now. I know these past two years have been rough for you. And I'm not even going to try to pretend to know how you feel after everything that happened. But let me just say this. I am always here for you if you want to talk about things. And if you don't then I am here to chat and bring the best chocolate cake ever in my very unbiased opinion." she said with a laugh but then turned serious again. "Either way, I will forever sit beside you and be your friend."

Elizabeth's eyes stung as she blinked back tears. "Thank you Rosie" she softly spoke just barely above a whisper.

"Always," Rosie said, leaning over to give Elizabeth a hug.

Shortly there after the women said their goodbyes. While setting up her coffee for the next day, Elizabeth thought back to the man she ran into that morning. She had never felt such a connection to someone before despite never having met. It was an odd feeling, but it definitely left it's impression. With that thought she turned off the lights and headed upstairs to get ready for bed.

While laying awake unable to fall asleep, Elizabeth picked up her phone and started scrolling through social media. She landed on an old picture at her parents lake house of her entire family including Ben and Lionel. Tears silently began to fall down Elizabeth's cheeks. "I miss you both so much," she whispered. "I am still so, so sorry." It had been awhile since Elizabeth had cried herself to sleep, but tonight she did.