NORA'S WORRY

       "Alright ladies," Charlie said and dropped the drinks on the table. Nora grabbed her drink, pried out the cap immediately and took a huge gulp, Faith and Charlie stared at him. 

       "What's the problem?" Faith asked. 

     Nora conscious of herself now looked at both of them.  "Oh, it's nothing." 

       "It's something," Faith said. 

    Nora looked at her and looked at Charlie.  "It's not even something important. Where did you go to last night? Noah?"

        "Don't try to change the topic, we will get to mine." 

        "Can we start with it first? You got us all worried." 

    Charlie took a seat opposite the ladies and uncorked his beer and Faith's. 

        "I know, don't you think that's what I have come here to confess?" Faith asked. 

      Nora exhaled deeply.  "It's this trip. Danny's company is down on sales and he is planning a trip. He didn't even tell me that. He is planning an elaborate wedding too by next month." 

         "What? I might not really understand what you mean by down on sales," Faith said. 

       "His company is facing a downturn. I noticed he has been quiet for some time but he hides it from me, but I found out about his company yesterday." 

       "Have you talked to him about it?" Charlie asked. 

        Nora took another gulp.   "Talk to him about what? For all it's worth, I might just make him furious by reminding him of it." 

        "So, you are planning to let it be? You are going to watch him make errors?" 

         "What would you have me do?!" Nora was frustrated. 

         Faith quickly held her shoulders.  "Shh, that's enough." 

         "Men are not always sensible, that's why they always need a partner to help them think at times," Charlie said leaning on the table and looking at Nora. 

       "Coming from a man," Faith teased.  "Who advises who in your relationship?" 

        "I have a sister, although younger, I go to her for advice whenever I need them. It can get really difficult making decisions since we are both men." 

       "So, you feel I should talk to Danny about it, even if it's going to make him furious? I shouldn't be prying."

        "Bullshit, Nora! If he is planning to make you his partner for life, he should be open with you. He should tell you everything." 

        "Well, unless he doesn't want her to be worried. While women are good advisers, they are also paragons of worry," Faith put in. 

       "That shouldn't be overlooked, but it's important that you too talk about it and join heads together and know what to do about it. Didn't they say two heads are better than one?"

       "Two good heads, actually."  They laughed.  "Thank you guys, I think I will talk to him about it, whether he feels I'm nosy or not, but that issue must be addressed." Nora took up her beer and gulped. 

     Faith rubbed her back. I assure you, you are going to have your dream wedding."

       "Of course. But I think Rome can wait now." 

     They smiled at each other. Faith poured beer into the beer mug and drank. Nora dropped her bottle on the table and looked at Faith. 

       "Your turn now, Miss Prescott." 

       "Are we taking turns now talking about our problems?" Charlie asked.

        "That's if you have one, Foster," Nora said.  "To be honest, I'm a bit relieved after talking with you guys." 

     "What are friends for then? They are not only for inconvenience but for giving best advice too," Charlie said. 

        They all chuckled. Nora looked at Faith reminding her that she has to say something. Faith blinked twice and cleared her throat. 

     "Well, I...I promised to see Noah that night before I even agreed to Ethan's dinner." 

        "Holy shit," Charlie said. 

         "Please, don't judge me..." 

        "No one is judging you only your conscience is," Nora said.  "So you stood them up without explanations."

       Faith glanced at her.  "Well, I have apologized to the affected party and it would never happen again." As she talked the image of her and Ethan came to her mind and her heart skipped. 

      Nora dropped the bottle on the table.  "Whatever your decision is, we are going to support you, that's why we are your friends, right Charlie?" 

       "Of course. We just hope that decision doesn't make you cry." 

       Faith smiled.  "You can stop now." 

        "My turn!" Charlie said sharply and drank his beer. 

       They looked at him.

        "Confess your sins my son for the Lord would forgive you and this panel would not judge you," Nora said and Faith chuckled. 

         "Mine is very good news. The only good news on this table today." 

      Nora leaned closer to Faith and whispered in her ear.  "They are getting married." 

        "What?!" Faith gasped her mouth agape and her eyes wide. 

        "How could you gossip about me as though I am not here?" Charlie asked.

        "Let out the good news already!" Nora urged. 

       "Doug's birthday is in two days." 

         "Wow!" Faith exclaimed. 

         "So, is he gonna throw a party?" Nora asked. 

          "Party?" 

           "Cause I love parties!" 

           "Well, it's not exactly a party." 

           "What's the good news there?" Nora asked. 

           "Well, he wants the both of you to come. Only the both of you are invited. 

            "Really?" Faith was excited. 

  Nora looked at her and looked back at Charlie.  "How boring is it going to be?" 

        "Nora?" Faith looked at her. 

    Charlie smiled.   "Douglas might be a reserved and quiet person but he is not boring." 

        "For me, I'm so glad to be meeting him? I think I'm the only one on this table that hasn't met him yet." 

       Nora leaned closer to Charlie and whispered. "Hold your man, she is a bomb." 

       Faith spanked Nora on the shoulder.  "I heard that you know." 

      Nora rubbed her shoulders.  "Aww, must you resort to violence?" 

         "My father was a king of violence, don't you think I might have that trait?" Faith asked and narrowed her eyes at Nora. 

        Nora placed her palm over her mouth.  "Oh, my God, I feel so threatened." She leaned close to Faith, their faces only inches away.  "You don't even have a bone!" 

      Faith jerked back.  "I don't want to kiss you!" 

   A few people turned to look at them and Faith apologized with smiles and nods. Her phone buzzed and she checked it, it was Ethan. 

        'Hey, I just wanted to know if you are okay. Bye.'

     She smiled and kept staring at the text. She wanted to reply and the memories of that morning came to her again, she closed her eyes, relishing it and smiling, completely forgetting that she was not alone.  Nora stared at her for a moment and looked at her hand and saw the phone. She grabbed it from her, waking Faith from her slumber. She ran away with it. 

      "Hey, bring back my cellphone!" Faith screamed and ran after her. 

     Charlie was surprised at first but it gradually turned to amusement as he watched them from the window running around in the parking lot. He took a large gulp and shook his head.   "Whoever has these two in one place is ready for a heart attack." 

       Nora went home that night a little tipsy. It was true that her friends made her night but deep down in her, she wasn't okay. Danny was seated on the floor in the living room having a bottle of wine. He wore only his pyjamas pants, his chest was bare. Nora came in and stormed over to him and grabbed the bottle of drink away from him. 

       "What are you doing? You don't drink?!" 

   Danny looked at her.  "Where did you go to? You don't tell me when you leave the house now?" 

       "Is that why you are drinking to a stupor?!" 

    Danny stood and went over to her and tried to grab the drink from her, but she shifted back glaring at him.  

      "I thought we are keeping things away from each other now?" Nora asked. 

     Danny halted and his brows knitted together in a scowl.  "What do you mean?" 

       "You should know what I mean." She started going up the stairs and grabbed the cap of the bottle on the floor and stormed up the stairs. 

      Danny went after her.  "Hey! Come here! Where are you going to?! What do you mean?" 

       Nora stormed into the bedroom and tried to shut the door but Danny was swift. He pushed the door back and let himself in. Nora left the door and went into the room, Danny rushed up to her and drew her back. 

     "Let go of me!" she barked. 

      "What do you mean by what you said downstairs?" 

       "Why are you particular about it?!" 

       "Have you been snooping?" 

      "I don't have time for this?" 

        "Have you been snooping?!" Danny yelled. 

        "Yes, I have been snooping, Danny! I can't believe you." 

       "What did you see?" 

       "Everything, Danny. I saw everything." Nora sat on the bed and wept. 

      Danny stood there helplessly staring down at her. He sat beside her and held her.  "Is that why you got drunk?" 

     She slapped off his hands.  "I'm not drunk!" 

      "I'm sorry."

      "You are sorry? Danny, you are going broke and you thought hiding it from me was the best thing to do? Have I not been with you all this while? Was I not there when you had nothing? Why hide this from me now? You think I won't understand?" 

       "I'm sorry, I didn't want you to be worried. I...we have a trip and a wedding to plan." 

       "There is not going to be any trip you hear. That trip is going to cost a lot of money right now." 

      "But you were so excited about this trip and besides we have postponed it after Charlotte's death." 

  Nora turned to him.  "Listen, you need to save money now. I make enough from my job we can live on that until all of this is sorted out." 

       "No, no, babe, you can't do that, I won't let you do that." 

      "Why because it would wound your ego or because it would make you less of a man?" 

       "I can't...I can't..." 

       "Danny, I thought we have grown past this? Okay, take it that I'm lending you the money. Just save so that if anything happens you will see something to fall  back to. It favours you, can't you see?" 

       Danny stared at her for a while.  "Come here," he said. He cupped her face with his hands and kissed her.