• Everest fumbled with the key but finally managed to unlock the front door. And out comes the musky aroma of home. Unusual, cookies?
    Everest followed the chocolatey smell to the kitchen where her mom was popping in a pan of ultra-thick brownies.
    "What's the occasion?" Everest asked, eyeing a note by the phone that said 'vince's #: 249-8100'.
    "Hello to you, too", her mom said after adjusting the heat.
    "Hi", she said as she lifted herself onto the island counter and picked out a couple of strawberries from a hand-painted bowl that she had made at a birthday party when she was nine.
    "How was your day?"
    "How was your day?" Everest asked, nodding at the note that happened to be scrawled on a Valentine's Day notecard that said 'Love is in the air'. Suspicious.
    "Evy! You're looking at me like I've committed a murder!" her mom protested.
    "You haven't answered my question".
    "Oh, c'mon, baby", her mom said as she leaned awkwardly on the counter, "He's a really nice guy", she pursed her lips and nodded innocently.
    "Mom! He's the fourth guy you've dated since December. You are't going to be young forever".
    "I read in a magazine that guys are starting to go for the older women".
    "Ugh, mom, what magazine? Senior Citizen's Guide To Sex?"
    "I don't like your attitude".
    "I don't like yours".
    "You're being unfair".
    "Tough. By the way, who exactly is Vince?" she asked, suspiciously.
    "Okay, don't freak out-"
    "I'm not freaking... yet".
    "Vince is my boss".
    "Oy vey!"
    "Evy. That's prejudice. Haven't I taught you anything? Anyway..."
    "You know, mom, that's okay. I just ate, and... I'm supposed to meet Amber and Ryan", she said, sliding off the counter and grabbing her sweatshirt from the back of a chair. She didn't want to hear the dirty details.
    "Well, if you're not back before I leave..."
    "Where are you going?"
    "...Out".
    "Continue".
    "If I'm not here when you come back there is some left-over spaghetti in the fridge, or you can make some macaroni".
    "Can't I get a decent hamburger here?"
    "Life isn't just luxury and laziness. If you want to go out, fine. But keep it minimum because I only have a ten on me".
    "Ten's plenty!" Everest said and took the bill from her mom, knowing that it was a 99.99999 chance that Amber would end up paying for her as well.
    "Sleep tight if your asleep when I get home!"
    "You too!" she gave her mom a thumb's up, then rolled her eyes.


    Evy had the key to Ryan's house, and she fumbled again with it, wondering why the keys kept disagreeing with her. They kept dodging the keyhole.
    Evy and Ryan had been friends for an eternity, or rather, ever since they were born. Their mothers had been BFF's, and even their grandmothers. Their was an insane amount of trust between them.
    Amber was adjusting an amp, as Evy parked herself on the couch.
    "Why'd you take so long?" Ryan said as the sound of a toilet flushing was heard and he emerged from the miniature bathroom.
    "I'd tell you, but it's totally barfalicious".
    "What? Motorcycle accident? Please, do tell".
    "Forgive me if either of you die before the punch line", she began. Ryan feigned a heart attack and he collapsed on a nearby arm chair.
    "As I was saying, my mom got a new BF".
    "Ew! Permanently scarred for life! What does he look like?" Amber began but revised when Everest gave her a look, "I mean... since her last boyfriend looked like John McCain".
    "I honestly can't say 'cause I've never seen the guy".
    "Hmmm. That's.... unusual".
    "That's life".
    "Stop gossiping! We've gotta hurry up!" Ryan complained as he struck a chord on his guitar. Amber gave me a hopeful smile as she stepped up to a mic, and she closed her eyes.

    Don't you ever get tired of waiting
    For the time to go
    Sacrifice is my way of feigning
    That I don't mind the show

    Amber sang as Mike, on the drums, did a fantastic solo.

    I'm tired! Of waiting for you!
    Are you sure that you want nothing to do
    With me
    Are you sure the sky is blue
    Baby, you sure the grass is green?

    The song droned on. When the finale came (at last!), she checked her stopwatch. Aw hell. Six minutes and thiry-eight seconds. Do they even make songs that long anymore?
    "So, have you rethought you decision?"
    "Yes", their eyes lit up.
    "I propose that you let me write your songs", Evy bargained.
    "Evy!" they complained in unison.
    "That is my compromise. Take it or leave it".
    "You are so unfair". Her mind immediately rewinded to earlier that day with her mom. she shuddered at the thought.
    "Well, it's a start", Mike sighed. Ryan sighed, too, and massaged Amber's shoulders.
    "No worries! You'll be magnificent! So shut up and let's go! I'm starving".
    Ryan sighed again, "Let's go get some grub".
    Amber called Cesar, the family chaufer, and asked him to pick us up in ten, so she could change. Of course, Amber brought a wardrobe sized bag, full of her favorite ensembles.
    She offered to loan Everest a top, but she declined.

    Cesar showed up exactly on time, and we were off!