So, greetings from Australia - and my Aunt's Netbook!
Here come the next three chapters - since I am a fail at finding internet when I need it!
Chapter 3: Rose and The Move
That same Friday, at a popular Chicago radio station.
Rose looked over the play list. This would be a good summer at the station; she'd been able to get a few of the up and coming bands to agree to studio sets for the charity album.
She clicked onto her calendar and began scheduling "Studio C" performances; picking out the number of promo passes to be given away. She noticed one artist would coincide with the annual Children's book drive for the hospital. The station had started supporting the drive last year after her friend Bella had asked for help on the publicity. It had been an easy fit and surprisingly rewarding.
Something in the back of her mind clicked. She remembered meeting Bella for the first time.
Her parents had then owned the tri-plex on the North Side where she'd grown up, and when she was eight, Renee and her daughter had rented the top unit. Rose crunched on a Thin Mint, remembering. They'd been Brownie scouts together, even though they couldn't be in the same grade at school.
The seven-year old had been softy crying on the back steps when Rose had come home from her last day of second grade. She'd gotten her a glass of Kool-Aid and asked her what was wrong. Back then, she'd pinky sworn to keep it a secret.
The new girl with the big brown eyes had stated she still missed her puppy, after three years. She continued to cry big tears, loudly sobbing how she still missed some of her books and a bear after a fire; but now, worst of all, she missed her dad after a big fight and a three-day drive. Sadly, that had not been the end of her troubles. When they'd unpacked the trailer and the car, her box of favorite clothes and special things had been missing. It wasn't at her dad's - her old house, either. The photos and notes, the pink dress her dad had bought her - all gone.
Rose had pinky sworn her then and there to take the tale to the grave with her. Next, she'd taken her to her room where she'd given her one of her dresses and a Barbie and let her pick a couple of books. She'd read really well for just finishing first grade. Rose's mom had noticed the new girl in her daughter's dress the following Sunday, and had told Rose she was proud of her compassion and sharing.
The girls had become fast friends and remained so ever since. She'd dropped Bella off at the airport that morning. Finally, taking time before the summer got too busy, she was off to Florida to see her mother. Summer was always hectic for Bella; she coordinated festivals and concerts across the city for the park board.
Fifteen years of friendship meant that it had been easy to ask her to be her maid of honor, even if Bella dreaded wearing pink. Fifteen years of friendship meant she knew something was bothering her friend, even if she hadn't said a word yet.
Rose left her office a few minutes later for the break room. She caught the tail end of the DJ as she entered. "..ward and Crew's new song. They'll be one of our Studio C artists this summer, so stay tuned for tickets. After the top of the hour, we'll have Jeremy Messersmith and Cee Lo on Cities…"
Rose decided to ask her friend to one of the studio performances as she took her coffee back to her desk.
Her phone vibrated with an incoming text. Think of the devil…
Just landed. Thx again for the ride. Wish me luck.
Oh Bitty Bells, I wish nothing but luck for you, girl. Lord knows you deserve some!