(Café Lalo)

Christina stared at Kathleen in stunned silence.

"Joe Fox? Are you kidding?"

Kathleen blushed and laughed. "I know! Isn't it amazing? At first I was afraid that he wouldn't come, but then I heard someone calling for Brinkley, and-"

"Who's Brinkley?" Christina asked.

The question made Kathleen laugh.

"Brinkley is his dog. You should see him. He's just the sweetest-"

"So Mr. New York is really-"

"Joe Fox. Yeah, I couldn't believe it either. He's the last person I even thought would-"

"Kathleen, are you crazy?"

"Am I-What do you mean?"

"Joe Fox? How can you even associate with that man after what he did to us?" Christina asked angrily.

"What he did?" Kathleen asked, not sure what her friend was getting at.

"He ruined our lives, Kathleen! The store is gone! That was your dream, to give it to your daughter one day!"

"But that wasn't his fault, Christina. It was just... business."

"Just business? Are you kidding?"

"Well, I..."

"Kathleen, because of Joe Fox, I have I have no job, no money to pay for school and I live in Brooklyn! Worse, I had to ask Birdie for a loan. Do you have any idea how embarrassing that is?"

"Christina, I had no idea. I'm so sorry. I was just..."

"I know what you were doing, Kathleen! You were so preoccupied with Mr. N.Y- whatever is name is, that you probably didn't care who he turned out to be!"

"Christina! How can you say something like that? You know that's not true! I loved my store!" Kathleen said, stung by Christina's hurtful words.

When Christina didn't reply, Kathleen stood and grabbed her purse from the back of her chair.

"I-I should probably get going. See you later, Christina."

Silently, she pushed the cafe door open and walked down the steps into the warm sunshine. When she reached the sidewalk, she sat down on the bench in front of the café, brushing away tears.

You're wrong, Christine. Joe is a good person.

Suddenly the door of Café Lalo opened, and Kathleen quickly rubbed her eyes with her sleeve. She looked up to see Christina running down the steps toward her, a distressed look on her face.

Feeling a sense of awkwardness, Kathleen rose from the bench and started to walk away.

"Don't leave!" Christina called to her.

"I-I need to go. I-"

Unexpectedly, Christina ran toward Kathleen and hugged her tightly. "Oh God, Kathleen, I'm so sorry! I can't believe I freaked out like that!"

"It's okay, really." Kathleen said.

"No it wasn't. I was awful to you. I'm never like that, am I?"

Kathleen smiled and hugged Christina again.

"No, Christina. Of course not! You're one of my best friends."

"Thanks." Christina said with a smile. "I'll see you later." She began to walk away, but then stopped suddenly.

Kathleen looked at her in surprise. "What's wrong?"

Christina smiled. "I hope you and Joe find forever happiness, Kathleen. I really do."