anything like this. Thank you, Angie, I would love to work on something for you. Let’s set a time this week to talk about it some more.” Katy was excited at the prospect of working with Angie.
“Okay, two down and two to go. Whose problem do we solve next?” Angie laughed. This is great, being with the three of them again. She wondered how many other people could say that they had friendships that had stood the test of time like this.
“Well, mine is not really a problem.” It was Lizzie’s turn to speak. “It’s just me being silly. I have been at loose ends since the twins have moved on with their own lives. Cara still lives at home, but she is super busy with her job and her guy. I’m expecting to hear that she will be either moving out or getting married any day now. And Colt has already moved out. He still comes over for the occasional home-cooked meal, but less and less often. He’s started a new job, which has been hard for Rex. He wanted Colt to come into the business with him right out of college. But Colt had other ideas. He wanted to test the waters first and try a job on his own. We’re still hoping that he will eventually change his mind, which brings me to Rex. He is still my sweet, charming, teddy bear Rex, don’t get me wrong, but he is so busy now that the agency has taken off. He is hardly ever home and when he is, he is exhausted. This should be a time in our lives when we are doing things together. Instead, we never see each other. I am really having a bad case of the empty nest syndrome, I’m afraid.” Lizzie sighed as she told her story to the group.
It’s not silly, sounds to me like your dilemma is similar to Katy’s. Have you thought about going to work?” Angie asked with a smile.
“Well, that brings me to an idea I had while having breakfast with Rex this morning. I want to run it by you guys and see what you think.” Lizzie went on to explain her brainstorm to the group and was met with approval all around.
“And you think he would be against it?” Angie asked.
“I just don’t know how he will react to me wanting to work with him. You would have thought he would have suggested it, but he hasn’t even given me a clue that he has thought about it. Maybe he doesn’t think I have the ability anymore or maybe he simply does not want me in the office every day,” Lizzie said with a worried look on her face.
“Well, there is only one way to find out,” Angie was quick to reply. “When you get back to Columbus, you need to sit that man of yours down and have a real heart to heart. You need to tell him everything you have told us. I bet you’ll be surprised at his reaction. Maybe he has never given it a thought that you would even want to work, let alone with him. And if he says no, you convince him to give it a try. You have the ability. You know that and we know that. Your writing won you so many awards in school. And you have marketing experience. That was how you two met. And if he has forgotten that, then he is just getting senile and you need to prove to him that you can be an asset to the company.”
“Okay, as always, you present a good case. I’ll talk to Rex when I get home. I will let you all know how it goes.” Lizzie felt better already.
“Well, we all seem to be solving our problems on the first day of the trip. Now the rest of the week can be spent reminiscing and having a good time,” Angie added.
“Marianne, you’ve been awfully quiet. It’s your turn. What can we help you with today?” Katy looked at her friend with concern. The half-empty wine bottle had not gone unnoticed by her keen eye.
Much to the surprise of the other three, Marianne burst into tears. “I think you all had better pour yourselves another glass of wine for this one. Your problems are all a piece of cake to what I am about to tell you. I’ve been sitting here listening to all of you. Katy is beginning a new life, Lizzie may