Lilah was delighted to see her daughter. It had been weeks since both women sat down on the couch at their house and decided that Lilah needed help with her newfound addiction.

A secure and suitable rehab center in Manhattan, only half an hour away from their home, Lilah decided to give in and seek professional help.

Sitting on the playground in the backyard of the building that was surrounded by a huge wall, Estella handed over her mother a few of her clothes and three classic books Lilah used to read back in her days.

“I thought we can’t take stuff from the visitors,” Lilah said as she flipped the pages of Little women.

“Not the shady stuff,” she smiled.
“So how’s everything going? They are taking care of you, aren’t they?”

“Yes. The staff is kind and helpful. And we have group sessions every Wednesday.”

“I’m glad you are liking it here. I was worried about what it would be like here for you.”

“I was expecting a little different environment,” Lilah glanced at the other patients who were attending visitors, seeking comfort at seeing their loved ones. “First few days were harder as I began to face my grief that I failed to subdue. I still can’t believe he is gone. I remember the last time he had come, telling me about his ongoing project and how much he’d miss us. God, I wish I knew that was the last time we all will be seeing him.”

Estella looked away, hoping she won’t be teary eyes in front of her. After a long time, her mother had no bags under her eyes. She looked younger, attentive and her smile was genuine.
“I miss him, too,” she said to her mother.

Lilah smiled. “So, now tell me about you. The last time we spoke, you were saying Edward is moving in with you.”

“Yes. Edward has pretty much given up his entire penthouse to work and he wants a little more privacy. So I suggested he move in with me.”

“He is such a nice man. It makes me happy you have someone to take care of you.”

Estella nodded. “He has been taking care of me for a long time and being with him makes me happy.”

“I don’t know how long I’m staying here but when I get home, we are having dinner and I’m cooking.”

Estella laughed, agreeing with her. They sat for another fifteen minutes discussing. As visiting hours came to an end, Lilah said goodbye and left, leaving Estella in the waiting room. While she was busy finishing to fill her name at the visitor's register, Tanya popped up beside her, holding a small notebook and a pen.

“I thought you had forgotten about me,” Tanya said and put her things into her backpack, frantically. Her bright quirky glimmer was rather faint and she looked uncomfortable.

“Hey, you okay?” she asked her friend.

Tanya changed her maneuver in seconds. “What makes you think so?”

“Just concerned.”

“Then there is nothing to be concerned about.”

Estella wasn’t fully satisfied. “Okay, so, did you get whatever you came here for?” she asked, stopping for the last moment to say thank you to the receptionist.

They both walked out of the building and headed toward their car. “Pretty much for the article. And the yoga room is awesome,” Tanya replied, taking steps longer than usual.

Estella noticed creased on her forehead, tightness in her shoulder as she fumbled with the car keys, after asking her to let her drive for the rest of the way back home.

Estella nodded.

Soon enough, they slipped inside the car and Tanya navigated the way back to Brooklyn. She was driving at ease but often zoning out.

“You sure you are okay? Cause you don’t look like one.”

Tanya pulled a tired look. “Oh, I’m fine. It’s nothing.”

“Did something happen back there?” Estella questioned. 

“Barely!” Tanya looked outside of her car as grey clouds have started to set in. “Anyway, I'm famished. Also, I’m hoping to get another interview from an interesting figure by the end of the day.”

Estella glanced at the GPS of her car. “I think we have a fine diner around half a mile away.”

“We better get there because I sense a storm coming,” Tanya noted, speeding the car as the wind started to whoosh. She put on the headlights to navigate the dusty way despite it was four in the evening. Just like Estella had said, they reached the diner, and minutes later, it started to drizzle outside.

Tanya knew her friend wasn't fond of this kind of weather as she was prone to get sick quicker. They went to the far away table, where windows were shut but you can enjoy the sweetwater of spring quenching the thirst of trees planted across the streets.

Hours passed on waiting as the rain and lightning wouldn't stop, trapping a lot of people in the diner, including them. Tanya and Estella chit chat about their work, then giggled together, remembering the good old goofy times they had in college.

“Oh, thank god, you're smiling again." Estella pointed out, smiling at her.

“Oh please, I always smile." She said.

“But I know you were upset." Before Tanya could lie, Estella spoke again. “I know you were.”

Tanya pursed her lips, looking gloomy. “Yes, you're right. I was indeed upset. To be honest, I don't know where to begin with this." She sounded dishearted. "See, I met this patient back at rehab when I was interviewing and she told me her story which is now stuck into my mind.”

“What was her story?"

"Her story, her life. It's sad and I could relate."

"T, what did she tell you?"

Tanya looked away, boring her eyes at the falling drops. “Estella, I know you are being a good friend and concerned but can you give me some time to come around with this with you.”

Without a second thought, Estella passed her an assured look. They had a bagel before deciding to not wait any longer as the sun had set and they were bored. Tipping the waiter, both friends left and made their way to the car without getting drenched.

Tanya started the car when her cell phone rang. “I was dying to get your call.”

Estella put on her seatbelt, pulled her cardigan closer, and peeked outside. It reminded her of the time she had spent with Edward last year. They had gone to Montclair and the weather turned gruesome. They were soaked, enclosed under wet clothes and she had to bear the harsh cold. It was too much for her to bear that she passed out.

She didn’t want to happen that again.

However, thinking about that night made her blush. It wasn't that bad if she ignored Edward's unjustified behavior he had put up that night.

“Thanks a lot! I owe you one, Justin.” She heard Tanya say on the phone before hanging up. "My night just got better. You wouldn't believe who I'm interviewing tonight.”

"Do tell. You have mentioned this quite a few times in the last few hours."

"Oh gosh, I'm so excited. It's Thea. Thea Collins."

Estella's eyes popped out on hearing an unexpected and familiar name.

"And lucky for us, I have her location which happens to fall on our way."  Tanya was grinning eye to eye.

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