"Joe, Joey, yohooo. Look not to interrupt your little daydream, but unless we want to experience road rage up close and personal, I suggest we move. These drivers behind us seem pretty determined that green means go." Audrey teased.
Joey awoke from her silent world. If yesterdays news hadn't been enough to keep her mind wandering, the news Jen had shared with her had sent her mind on overdrive.
"Sorry Audrey, I guess I was just lost in thought."
"Well, Joey Potter what exactly is on your mind, besides your involvement in the upcoming nuptials?"
"Nothing, really."
"Well here's my take on this, either you can tell me what's going on in that little head of yours now, or you can wait till I get back to California and spend huge amounts of money telling me over the phone. I can tell by that little vexing crease on your forehead that something has you stressed out, and it's not Jens wedding missy."
"I'll tell you in a few, when I'm no longer tied up in this traffic okay. Just let me get back to the hotel and I'll explain everything." She glanced over at Audrey, almost smirking. "Vexing little crease on my forehead." She laughed and rubbed her hand over forehead.
"It's your calling card that something is going on, I am amazed no one has called you on it before dear, really." Audrey smiled, holding back laughter.
After picking Audrey up at the airport the two girls headed to Audrey's hotel.
"Okay here's the deal." Joey said as she sat on Audrey's bed. "You know how I pretty much had that interim editor job, over at the paper. Well I was editor until yesterday, I stopped into check that everything was okay. When I walked into the office, Kathy was back. I mean she has been really sweet, giving me this chance. So essentially I'm not to upset with everything. It's not like I didn't know this was going to happen. I just thought I had a little more time before I needed to find something else." Joey glanced over at Audrey who was shaking her head back and forth. "Audrey I really am okay."
"I'm not worried about that Joey, I know you'll be fine. I just can't believe the timing." Audrey paused long enough to catch her breath, "Joey you aren't going to believe what I'm going to tell you. She stood up and grabbed Joey arms, clearly excited. Joey on the other hand was clearly confused at how Audrey was so thrilled with the news.
Audrey stood up and pulled out two books. She walked over and sat down and handed them to Joey. Joey realized that these were the books that Joey had created for Lily. These two were going to be for her birthday gift this year. A tradition Joey started with Lily's first birthday. Lily enjoyed the books Joey created for her. Audrey this year had offered to have them transformed into hardback books. Mr. Lidell had acquired a publishing company, and Audrey insisted that Joey send the books out to Audrey, to transform the book into something special.
"Oh thanks Audrey, they look great." Joey said as she thumbed through the books.
"Listen Joey, that's not the great part, I guarantee, this will knock you socks off. You see I took them over the John, he's Daddy's left arm over there. Well anyway. John was more than happy to do this little project for me. I told him I would stop by in about a week, if that was okay. Well the next day he has me on the phone, telling me he has to know who Joey Potter is. Audrey said grabbing onto Joey's hands, "Joey they want to sign you to a deal. They want to publish your books."
While Audrey was absolutely anxious, Joey sat there frozen in place. She slowly ran her fingers across the books' cover. Audrey sat awaiting a response. Joey slowly raised her head slowly to greet Audrey's warm look. She let a small mile grow into something much more. Her eyes glowed and she embraced Audrey.
"I don't know what to say Audrey," she said as she released Audrey from her embrace.
Audrey waited a few moments before responding to Joey, she had thought of this moment for weeks, and thought it through thoroughly. In the end Joey would debate whether or not to go through with it. This was Joey's decision, and no enthusiastic pushing would do her any good.
"You know Joey, right this moment, you don't have to say anything. I just want you to have this opportunity. Joey, you got to get out experience life again.... yes you've been burnt before, dealt a bad hand. But now is the time to start over. Here is a chance to try something new. Now I know your going to sit and analyze the crap out of the situation, and honestly I don't want you to do this if it isn't what you want. I want you to do this if it's right for you. In the end I just want you to know, well that I am here for you."
"Thanks Audrey." Joey softly spoke. She knew that Audrey was right, it was time to find out what was waiting out there for her, but the fact the any situation could set her up for a possible fall again scared her. Maybe this was the time through, the time to make a change, after all the job at the newspaper wasn't going to be enough to get the bills paid now.
"Well just remember, when your famous, that I was that little friend who showed you the
golden path." Audrey teased. She stood up and walked over towards the mirror. "Ugh, oh my stars. This girl is definitely in need of some beauty sleep, these circles get any darker I might need some plaster and spackle to cover them up."
Joey laughed out loud. Audrey turned around and laughed with her.
"Well, unfortunately I, umm, didn't exactly get to much sleep last night. I was a little, let's say I was a little distracted." Audrey blushed. A sight that wasn't often seen. "Well dear, not that I don't want to catch up with you, but I am exhausted. I think I am going to lie down for a while." She walked over and pulled a business card out of her purse. "Now I know this little card will be the cause of incredible amounts of inner searching on your part, but I think, in the end, you might just go for it." Audrey handed her the business card and winked at Joey.