Chapter 69: An Old Friend “Mom?  Where’s the glasses?” “Oh that’s right, I moved them,” Sandy laughed.  “Second cabinet to the left.” Lauralee got three glasses, filled them with iced tea, and brought them to the back patio.  It was a month later, and Lauralee came back to New York to visit her family.  The recording was going smoothly, with 3 songs already completed, including “Did I Dream You,” which Alex sat in the studio during the recording.  The album was going great, and the girls were taking a break.  They had done a collaboration with Puff Daddy for a song called “One and Only,” and had talk of that being the first single of the album. “Thanks,” Catherine accepted the glass as Lauralee sat down. “So everything’s going smoothly?” Sandy asked. “Slow and smooth.  We’re hoping for a December release, so we’re taking our time and enjoying every second of it.” “So how’s Florida life?  Must be nice living there,” Catherine smiled. “It’s beautiful.  Warm weather, a gorgeous house, a wonderful man, and the cutest dog imaginable.  Life’s sweet,” Lauralee sighed. “You should live there Gram, you’d love it.” “Yeah, imagine me playing shuffleboard with the other old fogies,” Catherine laughed. “You’d kick their butts,” Sandy laughed. “I do miss New York though.  I miss hanging out with my friends, being here with you guys,” Lauralee sighed. “Why don’t you give them a call?” Sandy asked. “Nah, they probably won’t even give me the time of day,” Lauralee shook her head. “If they’re your friends, they’ll be thrilled to hear from you,” Catherine patted her knee. “Excuse me a minute.”  Lauralee went into the living room and dialed a number. “Hello?” “Is Mike there?” “Speaking.” “Mike?  It’s Lauralee.” “Lau?  Oh my God!  What’s up?” “Nothing much, how are you?” “Good, good.  God I haven’t heard from you in so long.” “It’s been a while.  Listen, you wanna get together for a cup of coffee or something?  Thought we could catch up on things.” “How about now?” “Now?  Uh sure… meet you at the same place?” “Good, you remember.  I’ll see you in a few minutes.” ~*~ Lauralee walked in the Country Diner, and smiled to herself.  She tugged her ponytail firmly behind her and walked up the stairs.  She saw the familiar figure leaning against the cash register, flirting with the cashier.  “Some things never change,” she said behind Mike. “Not for me,” Mike turned around and gave her a huge hug.  “It’s so good to see you again.” “You haven’t changed,” she pulled away and looked at him in his white wifebeater and baggy khaki pants. “And you have,” Mike looked at her in her gray sweatpants and black cropped T-shirt.  She had little makeup on and her hair pulled back, what she called her “incognito” look to not attract attention to herself. “For the worse?” “No for the better,” Mike smiled and turned to the cashier.  “Can we have a table beautiful?” They were seated at the table in the corner and Mike leaned on the table with his elbows.  “So, how have you been?” Lauralee smiled.  “Absolutely wonderful, how about you?  How’s college going?” Mike sighed.  “Only a month left.  Got my job offer in place, and finishing up my last papers.” “Oh to do papers again, I miss that,” Lauralee smiled. “You miss that?  I thought that in your career, you wouldn’t look back at it.” “After pulling in 7 hours of rehearsals, doing interviews in which they ask you the same questions over and over again, then doing a show in which you’re almost deaf from the screams, trust me, I would welcome a ten page paper.” “So why do it?” Mike asked. “Well…” Lauralee felt a tug on her shirt. “Excuse me, are you Lauralee from Elegance?” a little girl asked. “Can you keep a secret?” Lauralee leaned her face to her level. “Yeah.” “I am,” Lauralee smiled. The little girl gave a broad, toothless smile.  “My name’s Kayla, and my mommy and I love you.  I think you’re so pretty, and we love your songs.” “Which one’s your favorite song?” “Hmm,” Kayla cocked her head to the side and tapped her cheek.  “You Feeling Me.  My mommy and I dance to it in the living room.” “I like that one too.” “Is this your friend?” Kayla pointed to Mike. Lauralee turned to Mike.  “A very good friend.” “Can I have an, what’s the word… automobile?” Kayla asked. Lauralee laughed at her words as she took her paper placemat and signed it, To Kayla, keep on dancing.  Love always, Lauralee.  She gave her the placemat.  “Oh thank you so, so much!  Now can I tell you a secret?” Lauralee leaned as Kayla cupped her tiny hand over Lauralee’s ear.  “You’re my favorite, and I think AJ and you should get married.” Lauralee smiled.  “Thank you.  Bye Kayla.” Kayla walked over to her table and turned around.  “Say hi to AJ for me!” Lauralee waved and turned to Mike.  “That’s why I do it.” Mike nodded as they looked at their menus. ~*~ Mike drove into Lauralee’s driveway.  “Felt like old times,” Mike leaned against the steering wheel. “Yeah it did,” Lauralee turned her body to face him in the seat. “I’m really glad you called me.  I followed you through all your articles and the TV, thinking that you had forgotten all about home.” “I know that I have changed since I’ve been doing this, but I’m still the same person inside.” “You know I had a crush on you all through college right?  You were the only one who turned me down.” Mike smiled and looked right at her. “I knew.  But we’re better off as friends, you’re too much of a player.”  Lauralee laughed.  “But you’ll always be my friend.” “The best,” Mike gave her a kiss on the cheek.  “Don’t lose touch now.” “Never,” Lauralee opened the door.  “Bye Mike.”  She walked around the car and started to open the door, when she heard Mike yell.  “Lau?” Lauralee turned around.  “Yeah?” “You know you can always come back.  Never forget that.” “I know,” Lauralee watched Mike wave and pull away as she let herself inside. Chapter 70 Contents Chapter 68