in the big old world

It was all so overwhelming. Effy wasn't sure where to start.

Well, of course..the library. Jamie liked to say it was her life. Not him. She knew he was wrong. She always made sure he was well fed with stews and stirfries. She always packed his lunch. She knew he would be a starving doctor, otherwise.

And there was her library world. Although, it took a good week or two to get in the swing of the schedule. She was dragging. And then came Christmas..along with Smed and Naomi.

OK, so she was stumped on the moment she answered the door and Smed brought a date.

"Hmmm..I've always suspected he had a thing for you." Jamie whispered in her ear which made her squint even harder.

Naturally, she didn't see the resemblance between her and Naomi.

She was happy he'd found someone.

Oh, she knew about his reputation from her friend Corina, and naturally, five minutes later Corina was there along with Yuki and the baby bump.

Effy hadn't meant to frown, but it was obvious, she might be a little envious of Corina who was now with Effy's so-called ex.

When Effy thought of Yuki ... it was just all that education was in the way and Yuki wanted to be a doctor. But she had Jamie now...and well..he was almost a doctor. Although, that really wasn't the reason why she was with him. He made her laugh and found his smile infectious. But now, it was time to be serious. Very serious about the future.

Why did all this bother her now?

"I think its because... you think... you've fallen behind." Halie told her in the breakroom at the library, as they were tasting left over Christmas cookies then chunking them in the trash.

"I dunno." Effy winced hard, wondering if she and Halie were even friends. "I don't even know..if..if I want a baby, anytime soon."

"Keep thinking that..and the better off, you will be." Halie shrugged, but this time Halie ate the chunk of fudge she picked up. "But don't wait until you're in your the 30's. You, need to pop one out, by the time your 27."

Effy made a face and looked at Halie as if she was as weird as she'd always expected.

"I don't want anymore kids. One is enough." Halie sighed, telling her the fudge was worth another bite, so Effy took the last piece.

"I..I really hope Corina and Yuki are happy." Effy nodded. She didn't want to hate anyone. She wanted everyone to like her, even Smed's new girlfriend.

"She's always happy." Halie shrugged about Corina.

Effy looked at Halie. It wasn't until now that she knew Halie was not naturally happy. Not even chocolate fudge could make her happy. But Effy knew she'd have to get along with her.

"Maybe, maybe we should go to an afternoon matinee, this weekend?" Effy smiled. Usually, she and Jamie went to the early bird show on Sunday morning.

"Maybe we could," Halie said. Effy was in total shock. Was Halie trying to be her friend?