Gwen hung up the phone and went into the guestroom that was rarely used to make sure the dust had not gotten out of hand. She placed new sheets on the black iron canopy bed to refresh the stale ambiance of the flowered sheets that decorated the lonely room. She laid a flannel comforter at the end of the bed and proceeded to renew the hall bathroom with fresh towels, soap, toothpaste and mouthwash, toilet tissue and kleenex for CJ's use.
Gwen walked into the kitchen and
looked into the freezer only to discover that she had nothing to make a
meal. The magnetic ornaments that held Chinese food coupons gave
Gwen the subliminal message to order Chinese take out. However, that
was cut short by the doorbell. Expecting CJ, Gwen responded swiftly to
the calling chime with a refill of wine for herself and a second glass for
CJ.
"Girl you sure know how to greet somebody."
"Just want you to be relaxed from the moment you enter my palace,"
Gwen said dramatically, "'til the moment you leave."
Gwen took CJ's overnight bag, jacket and umbrella and showed her to
the guestroom. Upon entering the room, CJ marveled at the design of it.
She relayed to Gwen, who was hanging CJ's jacket in the bathroom, that
she loved the furniture in the room. She told her how she especially
liked the wooden linen chest and how it reminded her of her childhood
toys. CJ walked along the bedrail making her way around to the other
side of the bed. She sat on the elongated windowpane and sipped her
wine as Gwen placed her things in the closet. Retreating from the
bedroom to the living room, stopping in the kitchen reminded Gwen that
she had nothing to eat.
"I was going to order Chinese take out before you got here cause I
haven't gone to the store,"
Gwen yelled to CJ who was changing into her
sleepwear.
"That's fine, " CJ yelled her approval with an order of fried rice, sweet
and sour chicken and beef and broccoli.
CJ walked into the living room with glass in hand, were Gwen sat with
their bottle of wine decorating the Italian glass coffee table, listening to
the Commodores greatest hits. With the hickory log burning, the room
warm and aglow, timeless treasure after treasure held the girls' captive
as they reminisced about love lost and friendships gained over their lives.
Gwen began to tell CJ about the one person who meant the most to her
and all that she had left in this world. A world that had taken her
innocence at a young age and replaced that innocence with reality.
"I've always wondered," Gwen began as she starred into the blushing
fire,
"how Jes and I have remained friends for so long. I mean, I love her
and she's all that I have, but how have we remained friends all this
time?"
"How long have the two of you been friends?" CJ asked as she laid
back on the sofa to endure the night of intimate conversation.
"Ever since our parents died."
"Her parents died also?"