the radio in her car buzzed lightly in the background — some song about beaches and sand and getting away, and in the early summer air, she could almost get the vibe. her arm hanging out the window, cigarette between her fingers — ideas of relaxation glimmering about her, though she’d been in a whirlwind for weeks. that surely could be counted among the reasons why she’d wanted to see angie — she had a way, and surely she had no idea she did, of making freddie feel that, no matter what, things would be okay. they’d help each other out of the mud, if anything.
she’d called her up first, asking — no, demanding her to come out with her tonight. she’d heard her mention lily being away tonight, spending time with her father, and with her shifts at hoopers growing longer with the summer crowd, and most of her free time spent neglecting a social life and hiding away with jake instead, she figured this would be the first chance in weeks she’d have to catch up with her — the one she’d come to consider one of her best friends in town. as she spotted her getting out onto the street, freddie honked lightly, twice, leaning over the passenger seat to open the door (ah, poor old dolly carton and its non-existent central locking). “evening, ma’am”, she joked once angie came into view, bright smile as she started the car, a playful grin as she glanced at her with the corner of her eyes. “how much do you hate me for kidnapping you on your night off?”
Angie had been a little surprised to get the call to go out, but she was grateful nonetheless. In truth, she usually got a little (or a lot) drunk on nights she didn’t have Lily. Now, after having spent time living with Charlie, going back to an empty house was depressing. It also was a vivd reminder of what she’d done to Charlie. Had she been left to her own devices, surely Angela would have drowned in guilt and that little bit of fear that being alone seemed to bring these days. Everyone was so busy with their lives, but Angie knew she had been enjoying the proximity to Charlie a little too much.
Either way, she fixed a bright smile to her face as she left her house. Once she saw Freddie, it turned genuine. Angie shook her head as she slipped in the car. “I could never hate you, Freddie. I might make you buy the first round, but that’s about the worst I could do,” she assured the other, reaching to give a quick, one-armed hug. “Besides, it’s been too long. We need to go out and get far too tipsy for our own good and start a bar fight. It’s been weeks since my last good fight, did you know that? It’s a goddamn travesty.”
