Author's Note: This might feel like an ending, but it's not! There's another chapter coming. :)

It didn't take long for Mary and Rhoda to unpack their things in Rhoda's apartment, even with Rhoda's non-stop complaints about her mother. She even objected to the idea of going to dinner. But Mary assured her friend that one evening couldn't kill her.

Soon, the five of them were seated at a nearby restaurant. It was still painfully clear that the two sisters did not want to be there, but Mary chose to ignore that. "The station manager just told us that we were all fired….except for Ted, of course." It felt very strange to say those words out loud. Still, she forced a smile. "But, thankfully, Mr. Grant used some of the station's money to fly Phyllis and Rhoda out." Mary smiled at her best friend.

"Aw, kid, as soon as Lou told me what happened, I knew I would be on the next plane out, even if I'd had to buy the ticket myself. Of course, he could've left Phyllis in San Francisco, but I know he meant well."

Mary couldn't help laughing, remembering the way Phyllis had vied for attention, even as she had wept on Rhoda's shoulder.

"It's a shame you got fired like that," Ida said. "But I'm sure you'll find a new job soon, and maybe there'll even be a nice, handsome man there for you to marry. Then you won't have to worry about working anymore."

"Ma!" Rhoda exclaimed, appalled at what her mother said.

But Mary, as usual, didn't get upset. "Mrs. Morgenstern, I do hope to get married some day, but that doesn't mean I want to stop working. I love working in a newsroom, and I can't see myself giving that up."

Ida looked at Mary as if she'd suddenly started speaking Chinese.

"Ma, I think Mary has a point," Brenda said. "I mean, these days, women don't have to choose a career or family. Things are different now."

Now, Ida turned to look at Brenda in shock.

But before she could say something, Martin chose to speak up. "Ida, it's not a big deal. You know young people, they've got their own ideas."

Ida saw that she was outnumbered. "OK, OK, do what you want."

After that, the conversation moved on to Rhoda and Brenda's lives, and then back to Mary's. She found herself recalling a few of the things that had happened in the last couple of years. "And then, at the funeral, I just started laughing. Even the priest noticed. When he asked me to stand, I thought I would die!"

Rhoda laughed. "I wish I'd been there!"

"Me, too," Mary admitted. Her life hadn't been the same since Rhoda returned to New York. "Oh, did I ever tell you about Sue Ann's bedroom? There was music, and a vibrating bed….and even a mirror on the ceiling!"

"Wow!" Rhoda said. "I mean, I knew Sue Ann was….active, but I never pictured that!"

Brenda shook her head in amazement. "I wish I could have your life, Mary. I mean, a job you love, all that freedom, plenty of dates..."

"My life wasn't that perfect, Brenda. I had my share of lonely nights. As for the job, you just never know. I mean, when I first walked into that newsroom, I had no idea I'd fall in love with it the way I did. Life can always surprise you."

"It can," Rhoda said, looking pointedly at Mary. "You'll bounce back from this. You always do."

Something in Rhoda's expression actually made Mary feel a bit hopeful. Maybe Rhoda was right. Maybe things would work out OK after all.