February
She was nervous about meeting up with Faith for the “make amends” lunch, even more than she’d thought she’d be. Looking at her closet, Kelly tried on and rejected three outfits before finally settling on a favorite pair of dark-washed jeans, a red sweater, nice leather boots, and a gold necklace Joel had given her that she felt almost provided her protection as if he were there.
There was a reason for the red sweater. Joel had read an article about the power of colors. He told her red was for strength and power, that’s why Tiger Woods would wear it in the final round of golf tournaments. Now Kelly hoped she projected strength and something along the lines ofI am a professional, confident woman who doesn’t need you in my life but I’m also a good enough person to meet you for lunch.
Faith suggested a fancy restaurant downtown. It was not Kelly’s kind of place—she would have preferred a simple café, a diner even—but she reluctantly agreed. Kelly figured Faith was paying anyway, so why not try a higher-end locale?
As she kissed Joel goodbye, he squeezed her shoulder.
“Go get ’em, lady in red. Strong, confident, you got this, just like Tiger in his heyday.”
“I just hope I survive intact,” she said with a laugh.
The bustling restaurant was more or less what Kelly had expected from a spot in this trendy neighborhood: tall windows, a waterfall wall, fake foliage, high-end light fixtures, and waiters scurrying about in crisp white linens.
She spotted Faith right away, seated in a corner scrolling her phone. Faith was wearing red too, a loose top, with red lipstick. Kelly wondered if this was going to be a red power showdown.
Taking a deep breath, Kelly walked over. Faith looked older, of course—it had been so many years since they had seen each other in person—but she looked good too. Her hair had gotten much longer and was a darker hue; she must have dyed it. It was styled perfectly, and her makeup was immaculately applied. She had always been pretty, although Kelly noticed that Faith’s eyes seemed bluer than she remembered them. Faith used to wear glasses too.
“Kell, oh my goodness, it’s been forever…”
“Hi, Faith…”
Faith stood up. They shared an awkward slight hug, barely tapping each other’s shoulders.
Kelly took off her coat and hung it and her purse on the back of her chair. She sat down and took a long, deep breath before speaking, trying to steady her nerves.Here we go,she thought.
“It sure has been a long time,” Kelly said as an opener, then waited a beat to see if Faith would take the baton in the conversation. When Faith didn’t, Kelly tried to fill the void.
“So… how are you doing?”
“Oh, I’m OK, I’m OK, you know, just soooo insanely busywith work. The news never stops as they say, nor does the weather!”
Faith laughed, but Kelly could manage only a slight smile. Tension rippled between them. There was too much history to just be breezy.
“And how are things going in your life?” Faith asked, but before Kelly could answer the waiter came over with menus and he poured them each ice water.
“Why don’t we just figure out what we want and then we’ll chat?” Faith suggested.
Kelly nodded and they both studied their menus. The place was outrageously expensive. Who would pay thirty-five dollars for a simple salad? Kelly glanced around and noticed that the portions at other diners’ tables weren’t even that big. She had a feeling she might still be hungry after leaving this place.
Faith was intently studying the menu. People around them were chatting away, but the air between Kelly and Faith was silent and felt heavy. Kelly pretended to keep looking at the menu even though she had already decided what she wanted. The waiter returned.
“May I take your order, ladies?”
“Yes, I’ll have the beet salad and a diet Sprite, please,” said Faith.
The waiter nodded and looked at Kelly.
“I think I’ll try your lobster bisque with a side salad. That comes with a roll, right?” Kelly wanted to maximize her food. Kelly added an iced tea, and the waiter took their menus. With no physical barriers between them now and nothing to do, Faith and Kelly looked at each other awkwardly.
“So… you were asking about me?” Kelly said as an opener. Faith nodded. “Well, I met a guy and we’re living together, Joelis his name. He’s great. I mentioned in my email my new high school, I’m still teaching Spanish. Joel works from home. We’re looking to get a dog. You know, just normal life stuff. You seem to be doing well at Channel 9.”
“I am, thank you, it’s such a joy to work there—absolutely terrific people, I’m so lucky—and Detroit has beensogood welcoming me back home. What does your new man do? You said he works from home?”
“Yes, he’s in tech for a bio company. They never returned after the pandemic and he loves being home. That’s why we think we can get a dog.”
“I’m jealous! We worked from home for a bit in Covid, even had the green screen for weather set up in our places, but of course we’ve all been back full-time for a long time now. Does he get to set his own schedule or is he, like, on conference calls all day?”
