Kellie didn't look any different. If anything, Elowen thought she got thicker which could come from all the food her grandma stuffs in her before she goes to classes. Either way, she looked good and just as happy as when Elowen left her every break.
"I'm Kellie Franklin, nice to meet you!" She shook Vernon's hand after she gave Elowen the longest hug of a lifetime. "You look way too good to be with Elowen." She rolled her eyes at her friend when Vernon laughed.
Elowen pushed Kellie into her seat before the couple occupied the seats across from her. "So when is your date getting here?" She asked Kellie while looking out the large glass window.
"She said she'd be running a little late. I don't mind though because she always gives amazing anniversary gifts." Kellie winked which made Elowen cover her mouth. "Not like that you nasty. She's studying to be a massage therapist so I always get to be her dummy around those times."
Vernon released a held in breath of air. "So how long have you been dating your... girl... friend?" He looked to Elowen to make sure he was addressing it correctly. She squeezed his knee to give him her answer. "And what's her name?"
"Amanda and I have been together for over a year now. I took summer classes after high school and we were in the same History class." Kellie was flustered just talking about Amanda.
"Romantic," Elowen cooed. "Well, Vernon and I are celebrating nine months together next Friday. Since it's the first time we'll be meeting each others friends we decided to have a small gathering at the lake. You can invite Amanda." She beamed at Kellie as Vernon nodded along.
She simply stared at Elowen dumbfounded at the idea. "You aren't going to invite those people are you?" She knew Kellie was referring to Cindy, Joey, and Jane. She's kept in contact with them often mainly to talk about Philip who no one has heard from in months. "Since you're quiet, I already know the answer."
"They aren't bad people, Kellie." Elowen's face went from joyful to serious. "And I don't know why you hate them because Cindy was incredibly nice to you last summer especially when you couldn't afford the drink for the movies."
"It's not that I couldn't afford it. I forgot my wallet at home. She only did that because she's too busy trying to look good in front of you when in reality she is disgusting." Elowen gasped at Kellie's harsh words. "But we're not going to talk about this in front of your boyfriend. This is a private conversation."
Elowen gasped when her best friend brushed her hand in her face. "No. I want to know why she's such a bump on your back." Vernon immediately rested his hands on Elowen's shoulder and lightly massaged them. "You're so-"
"Hello, everyone!" All eyes in the small cafe landed on Amanda as she swayed into the building with a flowy dress on and her short curly hair flying behind her. Everyone fixed their faces to get up and greet the newcomer. "You all look so cute! My outfit is inspired by Goldie." She did one spin in her short dress then gave Kellie another kiss on the cheek. "Elowen..." she beamed with many teeth showing. "How is Yvette? Is she looking a little more like you?"
"Twins!" Vernon gushed before anyone could answer. "Like her little clone, you know?"
Elowen rolled her eyes in irritation.
"I'm so sorry that I'm late. Having your own apartment to cook in and clean up is like having ten kids at once. It's impossible especially in the area I live in. It was in the newspaper that a group of high schoolers tried to lynch someone in middle school but failed because the neighbors started shooting at them." Everyone's mouth dropped. "I know! I keep telling Kellie to move in with me but she's hooked on grandma's cooking which is a lot of stress on me cause I damn sure can't cook like that!" Amanda giggled in Kellie's face then gave her another kiss on the cheek. "Enough about me! You guys must be full of stories. How is the HBCU experience? You two are living my dream! You know, I always wanted to go to a historically black college, but look at me. I could almost pass for a white girl!"
Kellie laughed out loud which got Amanda to close her mouth quickly. "Isn't she..." Kellie looked her girlfriend up and down then smiled. "Are you okay, Amanda?"
"Yes! Of course! I'm just really hot. The bike ride here was gruesome!"
Elowen coughed nervously. "It's forty-eight degrees out and you're in a summer dress. You might have gotten your look from Goldie but I'm pretty sure she's aware of the weather." Kellie frowned at Elowen when Amanda's joy seemed to be sucked out of her. "But! It's a beautiful dress, Amanda."
"You know, you're right Elowen. I just need to go to the ladies' room for like five minutes. I'll be back and I'll be better for you." She got up and left despite Kellie grabbing at her wrist.
"Kellie!" Elowen whispered loud enough for her to hear. "What the hell is going on with her right now?"
Her best friend looked worried but she cracked despite being under no kind of pressure. "There is something I haven't told you because I thought I'd never need to." She grabbed her purse off the table while getting up from her seat. "Amanda used to be addicted to cocaine. She told me I saved her life and she's been sober for two years. I think she slipped."
"Why would you not tell me?!"
Kellie groaned as she stopped halfway from the restroom. "Like I said. I thought I would never have to."