" Forever Friends"

I was preparing to take my power walk when the telephone rang.  "Hello," I said.

"Hello Mariann this is Sherette."

"Hey Sherette.  How are you?"

"I'm fabulous gorgeous and everyone wants to be like me.  I spent two thousand dollars to have my Jaguar detailed.  My dog poochie went to the groomers, after which she splashed in a puddle of water.  My stilletto heels are ruined.  I have a staff at Turner and Turner associates.  That disrespects me.  I have a mind to fire them all," said Sherette.

"My you had a lot to contend with," I said.

"You're not kidding," said Sherette.  So tell me Mariann how's your little job at the pizza shop.  Did you ever organize your cluttered apartment?"

"No Sherette everything is still the same,"

"Mariann aren't you ready for a change?"

"Well of course change is good."

"Excellent let's usher your change by celebrating your birthday.  It's coming soon."

"I know."

"Where would you like to go?"

"I see it right now.  We are having a wonderful quiet dinner at Binky's Diner on Fourth Street.  I would dress in a pair of jeans, wearing an oversized tee shirt.  The two of us sitting back sipping babe beer."

"Mariann are you crazy?" Sherette said.  "I couldn't image eating at a place named Binkey's Diner and drinking something called babe beer.  This place sounds more like come here if you want bugs in your stomach."

"Sherette it does not.  You're such a snob."

"Honey eating and drinking at the best restaurants is not snobby.  It's what I call living the good life."

"That's a matter of opinion," I said.

"Oh Mariann sweetie.  Let's dress up and celebrate your birthday in style.  How about we take a dinner cruise on the Nautica Queen."

"Do you mean that expensive boat that cruises the shores of Lake Erie?"

"Yes."

"Sherette it cost fifty-five dollars per person.  Remeber I'm only the pizza girl making ten dollars an hour."

"Mariann stop this nonsense.  We're going on a dynamic dinner cruise.  I'll make the reservations."

"Sherette with you life is an adventure.  We have always eaten at the best restaurants, shopped at high-end malls.  You've been a generous friend."

"Mariann we have been friends since we were five years old."

"Yeah but we are adults now," I said.  "So why do you choose my friendship now?"

"Marian you're my friend because you're spiritual, beautiful and fun to be around.  Okay let's quit being soft.  I'll began making the reservations.  I look forward to seeing you next week."

"It sounds good.  Goodbye Sherette," I said.

"Goodbye Mariann."

Two weeks later I arrived at Sherette's home.  I rang the doorbell.  "Just a minute," said Sherette.  She opened the door.  "Hi Mariann it's good to see you.  My girlfriend you look marvelous in your John Moolee, designer dress.  This black dress is stunning on you.  I like the way you have accessorized it with gold jewelry.  The sexy pinned up hair is just fabulous.  Kid you look like a model wearing a size two."

"Thank you, for a wonderful complement."

"I have always said.  You can take a tattered stick, clean it up right.  It will then look like a golden staff, said Sherette.

"Sherette are you comparing me with a stick?"

"Well you did clean up beautifully.  You also suggested dining at a bug farm.  So you could drink babe beer."

"Binkey's" Diner isn't a bug farm," I said.  Besides babe beer is smooth.  You should try it sometimes.  It's like receiving a massage from a tall handsome man."

"It's obvious you're a writer.  The gift of creative expressions, releases your imagination in strange ways kid."

"How's that so,."

"If this beer does all this, it should be called daddy come to love me."

"What!" I laughed so hard tears flowed from my eyes.  "Daddy comes to love me.  Only you could think of such a name."

"Still I say Binky's, Linkey's or whatever.  It doesn't sound like a place I would enjoy."

"Sherette, forget about Binkey's Diner.  We're going to have a good time on the Nautica Queen.  So let's party."

"Girl you're right."

"Sherette you look like a million dollars.  Your beautiful sleek hair resting gently on the shoulders.  I especially love the red Louie Vinton dress.  The Oscar Delarenta red and gold scarf, that sets off your  slim five feet, seven inch frame.  The gold handbag and shoes are just gorgeous."

"Oh stop it Mary my sexy, attractive, head is swelling."  We both laughed.  "Okay kid let's drink up our boat will set sail at seven-thirty.  Leaving now will prevent us from rushing."

"I'm all ready."

"Sherette this mansion is so elegantly decorated."

"I know.  Nothing like the overcrowded studio apartment you live in, I could't imagine living in a tiny cluttered apartment.  I would just die."

"So why don't you do that."

"What."

"You heard me.  Sherette I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Why not?"

"I can't take the smart remarks."

"Oh Mariann come on.  You're my friend, let's go and have a good time.  It's just the wine talking."

"No."

"Please I'm very sorry if I insulted you.  Mariann I want you to celebrate your birthday and to be happy.  Please come on the Dinner cruise."

"Okay, but no more wise cracks." Sherette was very rich, successful and beautiful, except she had no friends I was her only friend.

"Mariann you really do look lovely." Sherette said.  "Will you give me a hug?"

"Sure." We embraced each other.  The energy around us shifted, it felt more peaceful.

"My friend our driver is here." said Sherette.  We walked towards the car.

"Good evening Ms. France."

"Hello Sean," said Sherette.  He was Sherette's personal driver.  He opened the door, we got into the car.

We arrived at the boarding site.  The driver got out of the car. 

"Ms France I'll stop here at the ticket counter, to pick-up your boarding passes."

"That would be fine," said Sherette.

"He sure is fine.  Sean can drive my car anytime," I said.

"Back down Ms Hot pants."

"The man is sexy and no doubt he's single.  Beside it's my birthday I can celebrate it anyway I want."

"Not like that you don't."

"Why not?"

"Because you're a lady and ladies should maintain their composure at all times.  Men will respect you more."

"Yes Mother McCarthy." We laughed.

"Ladies here's your boarding passes.  Enjoy your cruise," said Sean.

"Thank you," we said.  Then boarded the boat.

"Sherette we are on the Nautica Queen.  This boat is unbelievable.  The food choices are from various parts of the world.  The ambience of the candles, music and decorations has set the tone.  I feel like Cinderella."

"Yeah kid you are."

"Watch it Sherette."

"Just joking.  I'm going over to try a appetizer.  Would you join me?"

"I'm right behind you." At that moment a friend of Sherette's came over to say hello.

"Hello my lovely Sherette."

"Why Peter, how in the hey are you?"

"Well I'm better now," said Peter.  "Who is this lovely vixen with eyes of an angel, anf Farah Facets hair, I haven't been graced with such beauty in a long time?"

"Peter you're looking at gracious beauty when you see me." said Sherette.

"How true my love," said Pete.  But I didn't get your friend name."

"Peter this is Mariann.  Mariann meet Peter."

"Hello ooh---Mariann."

"Good evening Peter."

"Even the way you speak is regal." When Peter made that statment.  Sherette looked at me with eyes that could kill.

"Oh Peter," called a woman sitting two tables over.

"Excuse me ladies duty calls.  It was nice meeting you Mariann.  Wow such beauty.  Sherette it was a pleasure to see you again."

Yeah right buzz off."

Sitting at the dinner table was a deep silence between Sherette and I.

"Sherette how's your dinner?" She looked at me then rolled her eyes. 

"Are you okay?' She didn't respond.  Her fork dropped.  That's when she looked up at me and siad, "It's amazing to me how a person can go from eating at a mom and pop cafe.  Then suddenly eating gourme meals, dining in ambience, to wearing designer dresses.  Then putting on airs to attract a man," shouted Sherette.

"I know you didn't just go there," I said

"Oh yes I did."

"Sherette don't challenge me."

"Lady you're no challenge.  I can out dress you, out think you.  And I certainly live a better life than you."

"The insults and disrespect." I shouted.  "Stops right now."

"Mariann stop shouting.  Everyone can hear you."

"Good" I stood up.  "Hear ye Hear ye everyone.  You see this woman Sherette France the great.  She's the only beautiful woman in the world.  She has money, power and lots of insults, and insecurity issues.  If anyone interested in being her friend she's all yours.  I'm done with this phony."

I jumped up from the table.

"Mariann please don't leave," said Sherette.

"This friendship is over."

"No talk to the hand."

I'm serious hear me out.  When I saw Peter look at you with admiration and respect.  I wanted that."

"Wait, you mean to tell me, this outburst is over a man." Sherette looked at me in despair.  "Sherette if you say yes.  I'm going to kick your butt...throw you off this boat."

"No it's not over a man.  This is my own jealousy and insecurity issues."

"How is it your suffering from jealousy and insecurity issues."

"I've been jealous of you since we were in college.  You're prettier, smarter and definably as a woman with class," said Sherette.  You look like a million dollars in old jeans and a tee-shirt."

"Stop it there's no reason to be jealous.  I live in a studio apartment."

"It's by choice," said Sherette.

"Well I'm saving to take several courses to enhance my career.  The pizza shop is a stepping stone to where I want to go.

"See what I mean Mariann.  You have a plan and a inner knowing who you are."

"Sherette you know who you are."

"No my friend I don't.  If I lose my job, the mansion, cars and the lavish life style, I would be a nobody.  I have allowed my job to define me.  When I look at you I see a person happy with herself no matter what your station in life maybe." I wanted you to feel little and unhappy so that I could feel big."

"Somehow I believe you."

"I'm sorry for all the insults Mariann.  I really do love you.  I can't afford to forfeit you as my friend," said Sherette.

"Please forgive me."

"I do forgive you." We cried and gently embraced each other.  Sherette and I had been mirroring images of each other.

"I'm so glad you shared this with me," I said.

"Me to Mariann.  I"m blessed now, because I see my friend as a person, who loved me for who I wasn't .  And I loved her for who she really was." said Sherette.

"Thank you God," I said.  We tossed our wine glasses and shouted.  "Sail on girlfriends we are friends forever."

Mariann Klimczuk Copyright 2009 all rights reserved