Thorny Roses Forever

“Long time, officer,” Rita said as she slid her glasses down to the tip of her nose to get a better look.

“Oh, it’s gon’ be like that, Rita?” Sarah smiled as she settled into the booth with Rita.

“I don’t know, officer. Is this an official visit or a class reunion?” Rita asked as she pushed her glasses back up and resumed reading the menu.

“I didn’t come here to arrest you or any of your crew, if that’s what you’re asking. I just wanted to have a little talk,” Sarah explained with a slight smile.

Rita thought about the ‘little talk’ she’d had with Jet earlier that afternoon.

“Can I buy you a drink?” Rita asked as the waiter came to their table.

“I’ll have a double bourbon — straight with a water back,”sShe told the waiter. “Separate checks please.”

“Ohhh ho hoooo, okay. I guess you’re off duty, huh?” laughed Rita.

“Can’t a girl just catch up with an ole friend? See what’s happenin’? Might have a favor to ask — never know,” Sara said as she looked over the menu.

“Favor? Sarah ‘Goldilocks’ Dean wants to ask her old criminal of a friend for a favor?” She pushed her glasses down again and laid the menu on the table with a grin. “This I have to hear.”

“What are you having?”  Sarah asked as she downed her bourbon.

“Oh, I always get the same thing. I don’t know why I look at the menu. It hasn’t changed in years. I thought about buying the place — add some soul food dishes to the menu along with this Americana stuff.” Rita smiled.

“So what do you always get?” Sarah pressed.

“The glazed fried chicken and steamed vegetables,” Rita replied. “It’s hot and spicy like I like it.”

“I’ll have that too, but can you bring me an order of cheese fries with the cheese on the side?” Sarah asked the waiter.

“Sure, Sarah. And the usual for you, Ms. Douglas,” nodded the waiter. “Another bottle of champagne, ma’am?”

“No, just water with my dinner, my good man,” Rita replied, and shooed him with her hand.

“Now… before we reminisce, tell me about the handsome fella that came in ahead of you — sitting at the bar.”

“David Thompson — he’s with my unit,” Sarah said without looking.

“Oh, is he your body guard — in case something shady goes down?” she whispered as she leaned toward Sarah.

“Oh, don’t you mind him. Hey — remember that time we were cheering at our last Northern/Riverside game? That boy that kept staring at you in the end zone?” Sarah said, grinning.

“Noooo!  That’s him?” Rita giggled, pointing at David. “Mm! He turned out to be quite handsome with that beard,” Rita mused, waving at David and laughing.

David waved back slightly with his wrist still on the bar.

“Still shy, I see,” Rita said.

“Married with a son,” explained Sarah, giggling along with Rita.

Rita said, “Ohhhhhhhh…”

Sarah continued, “… matter of fact, it was his son who put you in the hospital.”

“Get outta here!” Rita said loudly. It completely surprised her. “His son is Jet the karate-kid? Well, small world…  killed my brother, too,” she said with a scowl, pointing her finger at Sarah.

“Self defense and you know it. He was just a kid against two seasoned adults,” Sarah said, pointing her finger back at Rita with a scowl.

“Wooo  hoo ooooo,  still have that fire in you I see. I remember you would take on 10 kids by yourself back in the day. Kicked most of them’s @*& before I stepped in too. The boys couldn’t understand how the pretty girls could fight too.”

“Thorny Roses Forever,” Sarah said, raising her hand for a high five.

Rita slapped it hard. “‘Thorny Roses Forever…’ You know I never had a better friend than you — even ’til now.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Rita…” Sarah said will sincerity. “We’re not still friends?”