Free Unhinge Me by Ann Montgomery Page B

sister’s bachelorette party were all she had. But she had all the important party foods. Wine and popcorn were essential to any get-together the two of them had, even if it was cheap wine. Plus, she had plenty of lemon drops, which were Alex’s favorite. She also had a few of the best girlie movies.
    Rachael stepped back, looked at the sparse decorations, and sighed. It was going to have to be good enough.
    Just then, Alex tiredly walked in the door expecting to change and meet Rachael at a bar. When she saw the decorations and an excited Rachael standing in the middle of her living room, she was overcome with emotion. Everything had been so crazy lately and seeing her familiar friend standing in her decorated apartment felt like a warm hug. Alex smiled and wiped the tears stinging her eyes so Rachael wouldn’t see them.
    “What on earth is all this for?” she asked in wonder, looking around at the eclectic streamers.
    “Your birthday, duh!” Rachael said gleefully. “Just a little something to celebrate you,” she said a bit shyly, hoping she would like it.
    “It’s perfect,” Alex breathed and gently touched a drooping piece of purple streamer. “I love it so m- lemon drops !” she squealed and raced to pop more than a couple in her mouth. “You’re the best!” she mumbled, her mouth full of candy.
    Rachael laughed. “You change into sweat pants while I pop the kettle corn,” she ordered, bouncing off toward the kitchen.
    Happy to oblige, Alex ran up the stairs to her room. She didn’t usually like to celebrate her birthday, but this might be exactly what she needed right now. She slipped into her favorite old sweatpants and t-shirt and pulled her long hair into a loose pony tail. Still smiling, she ran back down the stairs.
    Rachael was standing by the TV. “So, I have: The Sweetest Thing or Bridesmaids for funny and The Notebook or Pride and Prejudice for romantic. What do you think?” She stood holding the four options.
    Alex loved that they had the same taste in movies. “How about we start with The Sweetest Thing for funny and end with Pride and Prejudice ,” Alex offered.
    “Done,” her friend agreed and stuck the first movie in the DVD player. Alex got up and poured the wine in the colorful plastic margarita glasses and got comfy on the couch, grabbing a handful of lemon drops on the way.
    Rachael put the bowl of popcorn on the couch and reached over to hand Alex a gift bag.
    “What’s this?” Alex looked up. As college students, they usually couldn’t afford gifts for each other. Most holidays were celebrated with a bottle of wine and a few packages of cheap noodles.
    Rachael just smiled. “It’s your last birthday we get together. I had to get something.”
    Alex frowned. “You act like we will never see each other again. It’s not true!”
    Rachael rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean. Just open it.”
    Alex sifted through the tissue paper and found the prize inside- a framed photo of the two friends. “Oh my God, I love it!” she cried. The frame was a simple one. Colorful and hodgepodge looking. The picture was one from a year ago at a party. They were covered in beads and holding drinks. Alex had a huge, happy smile on her face and Rachael had reached over and was giving her a big, sloppy kiss on the cheek as they snapped the shot. It was Alex’s favorite photo of the two of them. It reminded her of happy times.
    Emotional for the second time in an hour, Alex reached over and gave her friend a big bear hug. Until Caleb, Rachael was all Alex had had for the last three years, besides Bear. Their friendship was priceless.
    Rachael gave her friend a small smile. “You okay?” she asked. She was going to ask at some point tonight. Might as well do it before the funny movie.
    Alex sighed and didn’t answer at first. She wasn’t sure she knew the answer. Was she okay?
    “I think so,” she started. “Everything has just been so crazy lately. There are a few unanswered