And it's a sad picture, the final blow hits you

 

"I just can't believe he asked me," Remi holds on to the cup of herbal tea. She smiles to Chili. Funny, she is the last person she thought she might talk to, especially about Alfie. But its quiet at the coffee shop and they have plenty of time to just talk. 

Of course, she sort of knew Chili from way back when, a time Remi would like to forget, her juvi problems and Boystown. It was a laugh when she met Chili at the drugstore. Now it feels more somber. Yes, they have both grown up, taking adulting in stride.

"Well, things change," Chili sits at the booth keeping an eye on the door. Business has been so slow. People taking late vacations. Kids in school. Oh, Chili says they might have to be closed at least two days a week now to make ends meet. Still, Remi can tell something is troubling her, even if Chili says it's business.

Remi nods and takes a sip of the lemony tea. "And you say there is catnip in this?" Remi can't help but remember how Wolf always says she has cat moves in bed.

"What's so funny?" Chili cracks a smile after nodding about the catnip.

"Oh, nothing." Remi sighs. She says she never thought she'd be doing this family thing in a million years. "What happened to me?"

"Oh, it's for the best. You are moving forward," Chili tells her it's a good thing Alfie has reached out. "Maybe he needs to mend his ways and he's showing he's going forward with his life too."

"I guess," but she feels it's strange. "Won't it be awkward?" Remi winces as if she knows she has nothing to wear. She's hardly stylish these days. Even Wolf's jeans are too tight on her growing belly.

"Of course, it will be, but then you really never knew him, except for a one-night stand."

Remi nods. Chili is always straightforward. She likes that about her friend. "So what really happened with  you and Axton?" Remi doesn't want to talk that much about herself. Although, she needs to talk about this dinner date with Alfie and his wife. She's hoping there will be more than the four of them. She wants Chili and Axton to come along too, but she knows that's just a sweet thought.

"Nothing much," Chili looks away. "I guess I can't ask for much. At least, right now." 

She holds her cup of coffee in thought.

"What do you mean?" Remi tilts her head as if she's here for Chili. She wants Chili to tell her what's on her mind. 

"I asked him to marry me," Chili presses her lips tight. "But, you know."

"You haven't given up, have you?" Remi knows Chili isn't a quitter. Oh, well there's that failed marriage, but Remi won't hold it against her.

"No, I know we're not over, but I feel it's like a fast rewind."

She looks quite sad.

"I know he's trying to be on his own, but you know, he's a father now," Remi reminds her it must be new to him.

"Yeah, I guess that's it." Chili leaves it at that. 

"Oh, this era shall pass too," Remi assures her Taylor Swift isn't the only one going through eras.