Welcome home from prison, Ash.
I looked back at the people holding the sign and recognition and a smile flooded my face.
“Sarah!” I walked straight up to her. I was thrilled to see her. We’d spent almost as much time together as Ash and I had spent together in high school, and I’d honestly missed her.
She looked at me for a moment blankly, and then her mouth opened and she began shaking her head.
“Nooooo!” she said, looking shell-shocked. “I mean, Ash said you looked different, but you can’t look this different. Surely not.”
I held my arms open. “It’s me,” I said, and she walked straight into the hug I was offering.
“I can’t believe it.” She held on to me and we rocked from side to side for a while.
“It’s so good to see you,” I said, letting her go. She made a huge show of walking around me, examining me.
“You have hair! In lots of places. And, God”—she squeezed my arms—“where the hell did these come from?”
I shrugged.
“Come! Come meet the others.” She pulled me towards the other people who were holding the ridiculous sign that I had to have a chuckle about.
“This is Melusi, this is Yo, and Charlie,” she said, and I reached out to shake their hands.
“Um . . . world-famous agent.” I pointed at Charlie. “I think, and . . . wait, best production designer Ash has ever worked with.” I pointed at Melusi this time. “And amazing good musician! Did I get that right?”
“That was basically perfect,” Melusi said, looking at the other two.
“Although I don’t know about the world-famous bit, but whatever. I’ll take it. I have to take something—my job is such a shit show,” Charlie said.
“Her job is always a shit show,” Sarah said. “But yours apparently is not. Congratulations! You’ve done so well for yourself. That’s amazing.”
“Thank you. I do love what I do.”
“Mmmm, always a good thing,” Charlie said. “I hate what I do. Can we swap jobs? How are you with handling models and actresses . . .” She suddenly slapped her hands over her mouth and her eyes widened. “Shit, I didn’t mean it like that—”
“Oh my God,” Melusi gasped, and burst out laughing.
Sarah and Yo followed suit and then Sarah gave me a slap on the arm. “Sorry, it’s just that, well . . .”
“Let’s just say there are many, many stories about youhandlingmodels and actresses,” Melusi quickly added.
“So I’ve heard,” I said, not sure whether I thought this was funny, or not.
“Sorry, ignore us. We’ve clearly spentwaaaytoo much time talking about you these last few days and now you’re just on our minds, in every way possible,” Sarah said.
“No worries. I’m glad Ash has friends like you she can talk to.”
“Speaking of, where is Ash?” Yo asked.
“She’s still at the baggage claim, I think.”
“You think?” Melusi asked.
“Ja, she’s not exactly talking to me right now. She told me to leave her, so I did. In fact, I should probably get going before she comes out. I wouldn’t want to ruin your surprise by being here,” I said, and picked up my bag.
“Why aren’t you guys talking?” Yo asked.
“I think that’s her story to tell, not mine. But so nice to see you again, Sarah. I’m really glad that you and Ash are still so close. I like knowing she has someone like you in her corner.” I looked at the others now. “And you guys too. Thanks for being such good friends to her.” I gave them all one last look and then walked away before Ash came out and saw me standing here. It would ruin the happy surprise that this was clearly meant to be, and she needed some cheering up. I didn’t want to spoil that for her.
