Janet Ryan was shopping for a few items at Macy's. They’d been on her list long enough, she’d decided, so she took action. As she was looking here and there in the perfume department, she heard a familiar voice.

“Fancy seeing you after all these years.”

Janet turned. It took her a few seconds before she recognized Brenda Larson. They used to be neighbors. Brenda  was smiling.

“Brenda. Brenda Larson! My God, it’s been years, hasn’t it?”

“Years, Janet. How’s the family?”

Janet looked round a moment. “You don’t know how pleased I am to see you,” she told Brenda. “Why don’t we have a quick cappuccino or something?”

“I could use a cup,” Brenda said. There was a ‘coffee shop’ near them inside the store. They sat down and, after ordering, continued their chat.

“I don’t quite know how to put this,” Janet said, “but I realized over the years I could’ve been a lot nicer to Sam. I’m really sorry I wasn’t.”

Sam, short for Sammie Larson, was Brenda’s daughter. She grew up and went to school with Brent Ryan, Janet’s son. Sam and Brent were the same age.

“Well,” Brenda said. “I never thought I’d hear that. I was never sure why you disliked Sam. Guess I was too chicken to ask.”

“Oh, it isn’t true ,” Janet said. “I liked her very much, in fact. It’s just…she was so different, you know. And back then…How is she, if I may ask?”

“She got married!” Brenda said. “Said she wanted a family. Fortunately for me, he’s a nice son-in-law. You know, the happy sort.”

“That’s wonderful,” Janet said. “Isn’t life unpredictable?”

“You can say that again. And tell me, how’s Brent?”

Janet leaned forward a bit. “You won’t believe it,” she said. “He got a divorce!”

“Oh, I see,” Brenda said. “Didn’t work out. Well, happens every day. Who’s his girlfriend now?”

“No,” Janet said, "there isn’t any.” She looked round a moment. “Says no more women!”

Brenda looked into Janet’s blue-gray eyes. “I get the picture,” she told Janet. “Look, Dear, I insist on paying.”