CHAPTER 4: BEST FRIENDS; BEST FOES

Back at the union building, Tricia was nervous because her former best friend, Marcie, and her husband and old friend, Franklin, walked in. While she figured Franklin would be friendly and cordial towards her, with Marcie, Tricia didn't know what would happen after being apart for so long. Charlie, Violet, and Roy took notice.

"Relax, babe," said Roy. "Nothing to worry about. Just be cool."

"I'll try, Roy," said Tricia. "But I haven't seen Marcie in years. In the past she refused to talk to me. She wouldn't even tell me to get lost and not contact her again. She wouldn't even do that! I'm not too worried about Franklin, but it's different with her."

"Everything will be cool, Tricia," said Charlie.

"I hope so, Chuck," she said, sweating. And the couple approached the group.

"Hey, Linus and Rerun!" greeted Franklin. "Glad to see you two."

"Hey, how have you been, you guys?" said Linus.

"We've been great, Linus," Marcie replied.

"Never better," said Franklin. "How's the leg holding up, Linus?"

"It took some getting used to, but now it's like riding a bicycle," Linus replied. "Oh, you remember Audrey, don't you?"

"Oh yeah, how are you Audrey?" said Franklin.

"Very well, Franklin," said Audrey.

"I see you're about to be a mother yourself, Audrey," Marcie observed.

"Yep, I'm due any day now," Audrey replied.

"And there's my main man, Charlie!" Franklin said, heading over to his good friend. "Man, it's great to see you."

"Same here, Franklin," said Charlie, giving him a hug. "You're looking well."

"Feeling great, Charlie," said Franklin.

"It's so good to see you, Charles," said Marcie, who gave him a hug and a friendly kiss on the cheek. "How's the restaurant doing?"

"It's great, Marcie," Charlie replied. "We've been really successful out there in Vallejo. Susan and I are talking about expanding to other California cities."

"Wow, that would be great," said Marcie.

"So, Charlie, who's the lovely lady with you?" asked Franklin.

"Franklin, Marcie, you remember Violet who used to live here, don't you?" said Charlie.

"Violet!" said Franklin, now recognizing the brunette. "It's been years! How have you been?"

"Very good, Franklin," said Violet. "I'm glad to see you two are doing well. Charlie has told me about you and your kids and what you've been up to."

"Yeah, between our careers and our kids, the only down time we have is when we're sleeping," joked Franklin. Everyone laughed at the joke.

"Franklin, Marcie, good to see you," said Roy.

"Roy, how have you been?" said Franklin, shaking his friend's hand.

"Hey, Franklin," said Tricia, nervously.

"How are you, Tricia?" Franklin replied, hugging his old friend. "You look well."

"Thank you," Tricia replied. "Hi, Marcie."

"Tricia," said Marcie, coldly. "How are things?"

"Good," said Tricia. "I'm a personal trainer at a gym here in town."

"Sounds like fitting work," Marcie said, stoically.

"How are your two boys?" Tricia asked.

"They're good," said Marcie. "One is in 3rd Grade and the other is in 1st. The oldest just made the honor roll."

"You must be very proud of them, Marcie," said Tricia.

"We are," her former bestie replied. "How about you and Roy? Any kids in the future?"

"Well, I found out I'm not able to have kids," said Tricia, sadly. Charlie, Violet, and Linus gasped.

"Did you know about that?" Violet asked Charlie silently.

"My first time hearing this, too," said Charlie. He looked over at Linus, who shook his head and shrugged.

"Went to the doctor last week to see if we could conceive one day," Tricia continued, "and they told me that I was infertile."

"Sorry to hear that, Tricia," said Marcie, still stone-faced and emotionless. "Well, Franklin and I need to catch up with the rest. Maybe we can talk some more later."

"Sure thing, Marcie," Tricia said. And the couple went and mingled with the rest of the folks there. Tricia was hopeful. At least Marcie was actually talking to her, though not particularly warm to her. She thought there may be a chance at reconciliation.

"You never told us you were infertile," said Charlie.

"I didn't want it to be a big deal, you guys," said Tricia, looking down. "Roy and I tried to have a baby, but nothing was happening. That's why I went to the doctor. To find out what was happening."

"Well I'm sorry you had to endure that, Tricia," said Audrey.

"Me too," added Violet.

"Thanks, guys," said Tricia, wiping her eyes. "Enough about that, let's continue to have some fun. There'll be plenty of drama at the funeral."

"More than you know," Linus thought to himself. He dreaded that day, not because of Lucy being dead. He still felt nothing about that. It was that he would have to endure his parents. It was then he got a beep on his phone. He looked to see who was texting him. He had received the message that his father sent him, wanting to talk to him and Rerun. While his relationship with their mother was volatile at best, he remained in somewhat good standing with his father that he was willing to at least hear him out. He decided he would let him know that he, Rerun, and Audrey were all in town, but would do it after the party.

Larry was at his attorney, George's office a bit later. George had some papers sitting on a table. Larry looked it over and smiled.

"This is what I needed, George," said Larry. "I will be in touch. We are in for the fight of our lives. Well, my life, at least." And Larry left George's office and left for home. He decided to keep the papers inside his cars out of sight from Lacey for now. He would present them to her when the time came.

NEXT CHAPTER: KARAOKE NIGHTS