Izzy stared idly out the car window as Ali drove them both back home. She couldn’t believe she saw Brian again. The pain shot through her heart remembering how angry he looked. Angry and hurt.
    “Izzy I know what you are thinking,” Ali said glancing at her for a moment. “You gotta stop torturing yourself. It was bound to happen sooner or later.”
    “But at least YOUR man didn’t stand there and make you feel like such a whore for leaving him.”
    “No, but I got my fair share of dirty looks and little smart ass remarks from him.”
    Ali parked their car into their parking spot. They both got out and went inside their house. Ali went and checked messages from their answering machine and then started to prepare dinner.
    “You know, Howie invited us to the barbecue,” Ali broached the subject gently.
    “And I care because?”
    Ali gently led Izzy to the kitchen with her. “I think we should go.”
    “Are you outta your mind?! We are so NOT welcomed there and you know it!”
    “Yes we are! Howie invited us. We should take him up on the offer.”
    “No fucking way.”
    Ali sighed in frustration. “Why not?”
    “If you think we got a chilly reception today, think about what tomorrow will bring! It’ll be colder then the water was when Titanic sank!”
    “You are going to let that stop you?”
    “Yes!!!”
    Ali shook her head and went out to the living room. Izzy followed after her.
    “What?”
    “I can’t believe you.”
    “You can’t believe what?”
    “That you’d let what happened today with Bri stop you from going.”
    Izzy tossed Ali a murderous look. “Well I didn’t see AJ all jumping for joy at the prospect of us going either.”
    “Look, if we have any chance of making things right with them, we should go!”
    “They don’t want things to be made right! They are too angry to look at our point of view.”
    “Izzy I swear you can sometimes be….”
    “Sometimes be what Ali? Afraid? If that’s what you call it fine then! I am afraid. I can’t help but look into Brian’s eyes and see how hurt and angry he is at me knowing that I did it to him! That I left him. I can’t go there knowing he hates me so much.”
    “And you don’t think I have those thoughts about AJ? Izzy, you can’t live your life avoiding him! I can’t live mine avoiding AJ. Besides, we owe it to Howie to be there. He said he wants us to and I know he meant it. They can park their pride aside and put up with us for a few hours. Maybe once we are there, we can try to convince them that they weren’t just fucks and tell them that we are truly sorry. Come on Izzy please do this for me.”
    Izzy groaned as she walked back to the kitchen. “Ugh fine I’ll go. Just because you want me to though.”
    Ali jumped up and hugged Izzy. “Gurl you are the best! You know I love you!”
    “I love you too Ali. I just hope I don’t live to regret this.”
    Ali went to the phone and called Howie to tell him they were going to go after all. After she got off the phone, she went back into the kitchen and found Izzy staring at a filled cup of chocolate milk.
    “This really has gotten to you,” Ali told her softly.
    “More then you will know.”
    “Get some sleep ok? We got a busy day tomorrow.”
    “Night Ali. Love you.”
    “Love you too.”