As promised, by seven o'clock that evening the buzzer at the gate of Sarah's complex rang. On the small TV screen in her hallway she could happily see it was indeed her friend Carrie. Entering her apartment, she brought with her a small travel bag, a colorful book and a single long stem rose.

"Reinforcements have arrived," she announced in that confident voice which was so characteristic of Carrie.

"Well I can see that," Sarah answered, throwing her arms around her friend in gratitude. "How was the fight down?" she asked.

"Hey, I'm getting used to these regional runs. I think I've been in five separate West coast cities this month and one in Las Vegas. All pretty fun stuff, though. Wish I could tell you about them . . . but then I'd have to kill you. Even they're staring to call me Lara Croft over at the bureau."

Sarah was not really in the mood for such humor and Carrie quickly saw that.

"But no. Listen, little sister. Was it Napoleon who said an army moves on its stomach? And this army is famished. Think we can get out to La Jolla for some dinner in an hour or so?"

She could also see Sarah was still in her house clothing, a simple ivory-colored athletic suit. It was obvious from her swollen face she had been crying for many hours.

"Yeah fine, Carrie. I can pull myself together by then. Did you have anything to eat earlier today?"

"Nada, Sweetie. How about you."

"Nope. Just can't right now."

"OK. Then before we get into all that over dinner. . . here. A flower and book for you."

Sarah tried to smile as she led her friend over the sofa where they sat together.

"You are so thoughtful, Carrie. My gosh. I guess I really do need your company right now. I'm not looking forward to these long nights . . . alone."

"You won't be alone, Sister. Brought my toothbrush . . . and pajamas! How many times did I come over and sleep on your couch in high school?"

"More than a few. Yeah. God. But you really don't have to do all this now. I'm not a stupid girl anymore. Just still very stupid. Especially when it comes to . . ."

"Them! The enemy. Men!"

"Yes. Why are they . . . just so impossibly . . ."

"Wired. See I've always believed that they are just defectively assembled."

Sarah for the first time since returning from England, felt herself irrepressibly smile.

"Maybe you're totally right about that."

"And unfortunately we girls are just wired . . . too well. Too well for them, anyway. You see . . . they really don't deserve us. But our problem is . . ."

"Yes. Just what is our problem, Carrie?"

"Well that's easy. The full moon . . . an amazing sunset . . . a man's soft, lying words, his hard muscular body. All part of the set up. Don't you see? And then . . . you add to that our damn hungry hormones and addiction to romance and . . . snap! We're caught like a mouse in a trap!"

Sarah smiled more broadly now at her friend. She had almost forgotten just how entertaining Carrie could be. But then, how many long nights had she worked her magic in the same way following the death of Robbie in high school?

"Well this time Carrie, that set up really was a pretty cruel trap. And a very sick one."

"Yes I know. And you're going to tell me all about how cruel and sick it was over a sea food dinner at the Top of the Cove restaurant in La Jolla."

"I don't know Carrie . . . I don't think I want to share . . . any of that."

"OK. That's negotiable. So I say while I make a few phone calls and messages to colleagues, you hit the shower and freshen up. I'll call for reservations for us for . . . say what . . . nine o'clock?"

"Alright. But I really won't eat anything."

"Suit yourself, Twiggy. I could eat a horse. Hey . . .do they still have that amazing grilled Mahi Mahi at that place?"

"Probably. But it's way too expensive. Can't we just have something aound here?"

"Are you kidding? I started thinking about this meal in the plane flying over LA."

"Alright. Still my headstrong friend, I see. Give me just thirty to get ready."

Sarah made a concerted effort to get up off the sofa and focus on her shower and what to wear. Entering the bathroom, she realized how important it was for her to connect with someone so familiar and with a history, just to keep her grounded. A grave depression was hovering over her since her return and she knew that time alone was deadly.

"Hey, you didn't look at the book I got you," Carrie shouted from the living room.

"Jeez. I'm sorry, Carrie" she shouted back. "What is it?"

"A place. It's a travel book . . . about a place!"

"What place?" Sarah was now undressed and had the shower running to get warm.

"Prague."

"Where?"

"The city of Prague. In the Czech Republic."

"Why there?

"You'll know when you see it. Just get your shower and let's go!"

"Right."

* * *

After fighting the long stream of traffic lumbering along single file from the main boulevard of Del Mar into its larger sister city of L Jolla, the girls spent another twenty minutes locating a parking spot within walking distance of the scenic coastal area simply known as the "Cove." The trendy area in the heart of ritzy La Jolla had amassed its popularity early on from a rare combination of white sand, black rocks, and the crystal clear turquoise Pacific water just off the roadway. The Top of Cove restaurant with a view of the environs below was a haunt for movie stars and the wealthy who lived in various neighborhoods of what was called 'the jewel of San Diego.'

Fifteen minutes late for their reservation the maître di was kind enough to honor their tardiness, no less due to the girls' exquisite looks as they stood framed in the entryway. Sarah had decided to use the opportunity with Carrie to try and get back into herself once more. Getting dressed up again certainly helped. After being shown to their table with a spectacular view of the eponymous cove, the two ordered margaritas which were quickly brought out with olive bread sticks and their menus.

"It's actually been years since I was up here," Sarah said to Carrie, managing a nostalgic smile.

"Well what do you think I'm feeling, Sister?"

"Really? You too?"

"Sweetie, I think I was here only twice in high school. Hot dates. And then maybe once or twice more coming back in the summer from Yale to celebrate something or other with my parents. Yeah. I think that was the last time."

"My parents brought me here a few times for my birthday growing up and my college graduation. But now, look. It's just us. And really it is a gorgeous night." 

The two looked down at the spotlights positioned out to sea which gave the immediate coastline a magical green luminescence, interspersed by the white foam of the breakers.

"So. You want to tell me about this absolutely horrific jerk and what he did . . . or shall we discuss Prague?"

Sarah took a sip of her salted margarita and looked up seriously.

"That's an easy one, Carrie. Tell me about . . . Prague."

"Well, it's pretty simple really. See, if you look at the book you will just fall in love with the place. A medieval city with an amazing history. Castles, beautiful forests, museums, galleries., shopping. The works!"

"OK. But . . ."

"See, with my FBI job, we get a certain amount of money each month which pays into a sort of vacation fund. It builds up if you don't touch it, and well. I've got three years now into the plan to pick anywhere on the planet to stay . . . for about a week."

"Wow. Lucky you. I have heard that's one of the most beautiful places in Europe."

"So . . . now you're wondering why I brought you the book, right?"

"Well, you got me there, Carrie . . . Yes, why?"

Look. Ever since dumb ass Brandon ran off with Michelle, the Royal Bitch, I've been like . . . alone. Totally celebrate you might say. And actually . . . I'm loving it. But, when I saw this opportunity coming up in a few weeks to decide or not to take that vacation week, I thought . . . now let's see . . .who would be fun to share a trip with, just as girlfriends on the run?"

"Oh come on, Carrie!  Save that vacation for another time. With someone who you will really . . ."

"What? Love?  Give me a break, Hon! That's not gonna happen . . . for a long time."

"Yeah. I can totally relate to that. Maybe with me . . . not forever."

"More about that over dinner . . . So I got to thinking. Who would be a great travel mate for this amazing place, Prague . . . totally on the other side of the world?"

"Carrie, I'm really flattered you thought of me. And I already owe you so much over the years. But really, I couldn't accept that. First of all . . . I really don't feel like myself after what happened."

At that point in the conversation the waiter came out. After some coaxing by Carrie, Sarah ordered a salad and soup while, as planned, Carrie requested her exquisite grilled fish. Both got a refill on their margaritas, and this seemed to give Sarah more courage to open up to her life friend.

"OK. So for now we'll put the decision to go to Prague in a few weeks on hold. I would even be willing to schedule it for the summer . . . pending I don't find myself stupidly out of control again, under the full moon with some hunky guy who has convinced me he is not some user-looser type."

Realizing she was now off the hook about the trip, Sarah just nodded and smiled.

"So OK now young lady. It's truth or dare time. Your turn to come clean with this whole sordid affair in England. What did this . . . Jess . . . Mr. Wonderful, do that soured you so much on him?"

Sarah took another long drink from her second margarita. On an empty stomach it was having a profoundly positive effect on her courage to candidly talk. How could Carrie have been so damn smart to order for them margaritas?

"So OK Carrie . . . I'll make this short and to point."

"No. Please, sweetie . . . drag it out! I want to hear all the details. . ."

"Well there's only one detail really."

"Wow. That's pretty rare."

"Very rare. Shockingly rare."

"OK. Now I'm not even thinking of my dinner anymore. . . so tell me!"

"Carrie, . . . have you ever watched a porn video?

"A what?"

"Pornography on the Internet."

"Well, actually, I used to. I mean . . . it was by accident, mostly. And . . . only when I wasn't seeing anyone . . . for a while. So yeah, pretty disgusting . . . Really disgusting. But also sometimes quite useful.  I mean, so . . . So what about it?"

Well, how would you like to accidentally come across me  in one of them . . .  panting and moaning in full HD?  And lasting just about as long as any perverted person wants to keep watching it . . . as in all night."

"What! You? . . .In a sex film?"

"Yeah. Exactly. Me . . . with Jess! And he was in on it!"

"Jesus Sarah!  Don't tell me . . . A hidden camera?"

"Yup."

"Oh my God, Sweetie! This is so serious! That asshole! 

"Tell me about it."

"This guy actually did that to you?"

Carrie could see tears of anger and humiliation now welling up in her friend's eyes.

Sarah tried to stop the mascara running down her cheeks with her finger tips.

"What was it you said, Carrie? . . . Caught like a mouse in a trap?"

Her friend reached across and handed Sarah a table napkin. She then got up and went around the table to bend down and hug her.

"You just wait, baby," she said in a comforting voice. "This guy picked the wrong girl. One who happens to have Lara Croft as a best friend!"

Sarah took a deep breath and tried to compose herself. She looked up with admiration in her reddened eyes as Carrie moved back across from her.

"Just don't you worry," Carrie whispered to her, smiling. "Legally . . . and physically . . . I'm going to be this bastard's worst nightmare . . . Consider I've just been assigned to the case."

* * *

Text and e-book copyright © 2015 Califia Montalvo

All Rights Reserved