Then, There Is a Really Good Friend

Then there is a Really Good Friend

If good friends are people that support you and accept even when you are a jerk, what is a really good friend? Answer: a tested friend, one who, in spite of being mistreated, still stands by you. Arguments and serious disagreements occur in families, but many times important festive holidays and troubled times bring them back together. It seems the many years of interaction binds family members. More happy memory-strands weave into the family rope than fighting’s frayed strands. Friends lack the advantage of time to build a strong camaraderie rope. Strained relations between friends could easily cause the relational rope to snap unless the friends are really close, really good friends.

In my novel, Baggage burdens. Jill finds an excellent friend in Rebecca. Then, without warning or explanation, Jill rejects Rebecca as a friend. No longer is Rebecca invited to any of Jill’s family celebrations. No more visits or phone calls. No matter how many times Joseph, Jill’s husband, tries to find out what Rebecca did to upset Jill, Jill merely says, “She did nothing.” After many months of treating Rebecca as persona non grata, Jill phones and invites Rebecca and her family to Joseph’s birthday party. Jill’s simple apology puts her and Rebecca back on a friendship footing.

 ‘A barbeque! Perfect!’

As Jill picks out two steaks, she realizes, ‘I can’t ask Joseph to cook his own dinner. I’ll invite the Croschuks. Maybe Thomas will barbeque the steaks.’ Then Jill thinks that asking the Croschuks to come over may be more appreciated than Thomas doing the steaks. 

Using her cell, she phones and apologizes to Rebecca for her self-imposed seclusion. After a brief chitchat, she explains she is trying to put together a surprise birthday party for Joseph the next day. Rebecca confirms that she and Thomas will come and Thomas will barbecue the steaks. Jill stresses secrecy fearing Thomas will say something to Joseph. Rebecca’s acceptance feels too easy. Rebecca showed no hard feelings because Jill had ignored her. Feeling thankful, Jill picks up two more steaks.

With the meal finished and dishes cleaned, Jill and Rebecca walk along the driveway admiring the raised flowerbeds that she and Joseph prepared for planting. Jill is pleased at how easy it is to talk with Rebecca. ‘It’s as if there never was any misunderstanding.’ Jill finds herself sharing a dream that she hasn’t told Joseph about.

“I hope to be more like my grandmother one day.” Jill tells about how her grandparents shopped for and planted all the roses around their place. Her first step to achieving this vision involves converting each boxed structure into a rose bed. Pointing to bare spots among the perennials, she predicts which rose will be most appropriate. Her plans include asking Joseph to join her shopping next week after the market closes.

“Do you think he’ll come?’ she asks nervously.

“Of course,” says Rebecca. “Earlier he said he’s pleased you’re feeling well. He thinks you’ve done a great job putting this party together. He said, it’s like you’re your old bakery self. As for your project, I think he’ll be thrilled to work with you on it.” Jill and Rebecca hug like long-time friends.

haiku capsule:                 

a committed friend

withstands a buddy’s blunder

priceless jewel

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