Joy could hardly believe it when she read Daphne's reply stating she was looking forward to meeting Joy and her friends when they visited Seattle. She had expected Daphne to be uncomfortable with meeting a lookalike stranger. Apparently, Daphne was far less cynical than Joy. Suddenly, Joy found herself feeling nearly as excited about the trip as Melanie was. When she told the other girls about Daphne's answer, they were as surprised as she was.
"I'm still not sure this is such a good idea," Victoria said. "What do we really know about this woman?"
Joy let out a frustrated sigh. "Daphne says we should meet at a place called Cafe Nervosa. It's supposed to have the best coffee in Seattle. It's not like I'll be meeting her in some dark alley."
"That sounds good," Melanie replied. "Seattle's famous for its coffee. Did you know that the first Starbucks opened there all the way back in 1971?"
"What are you?" Elka asked. "A walking travel guide?"
Melanie ignored Elka's sarcasm. "Hey, Elka, why don't you come with us? I'm sure you could use a vacation."
"No, thank you! Having the three of you gone is a vacation!"
"I'm glad you'll be here watching the house for us," Victoria said. "That way nobody will try to steal any authentic Victoria Chase souvenirs to sell on eBay."
"Hey, I hadn't thought of that!" Elka exclaimed. "I wonder what the going rate is?"
"Oh, Elka, I know you're just teasing," Victoria replied.
"The hell I am! Do you know how much tracksuits cost these days?"
Melanie gave Elka a look. "You're supposed to be the caretaker of this place. Not to mention you're our friend."
Elka sighed. "All right. No eBay."
"Thank you, Elka," Melanie said.
"No problem. It'll be easier to just put the stuff out on the lawn anyway."
Joy rolled her eyes at Elka's comment. Even that couldn't change Joy's feelings about the trip. "So, the three of us are all in, right? I mean, you'll come with me to meet Daphne?"
"Of course," Melanie answered.
"I don't know...," Victoria said. "This is still really weird."
"Well, what if I told you Daphne was a huge Edge of Tomorrow fan?" Joy asked, knowing this lie would work.
"Victoria Chase never disappoints a fan! I would be nothing without my fans. I'd just be an incredibly talented, yet unsucessful actress."
"OK, then," Joy said. She began to type on her laptop. "Can't wait to meet you! Will let you know all the details ASAP!" She clicked Send. She couldn't keep the smile off her face. Joy's usual pesimissm had given way to a sense of hope. A hope that, for once, something good might actually happen in her life.