The Greener Field

Friends in High Places

As promised, by seven o'clock that evening the buzzer at the gate of Sarah's complex rang. On the small TV screen in her hallway she could happily see it was indeed her friend Carrie. Entering her apartment, she brought with her a small travel bag, a colorful book and a single long stem rose.

"Reinforcements have arrived," she announced in that confident voice which was so characteristic of Carrie.

"Well I can see that," Sarah answered, throwing her arms around her friend in gratitude. "How was the fight down?" she asked.

"Hey, I'm getting used to these regional runs. I think I've been in five separate West coast cities this month and one in Las Vegas. All pretty fun stuff, though. Wish I could tell you about them . . . but then I'd have to kill you. Even they're staring to call me Lara Croft over at the bureau."

Sarah was not really in the mood for such humor and Carrie quickly saw that.

"But no. Listen, little sister. Was it Napoleon who said an army moves on its stomach? And this army is famished. Think we can get out to La Jolla for some dinner in an hour or so?"

She could also see Sarah was still in her house clothing, a simple ivory-colored athletic suit. It was obvious from her swollen face she had been crying for many hours.

"Yeah fine, Carrie. I can pull myself together by then. Did you have anything to eat earlier today?"

"Nada, Sweetie. How about you."

"Nope. Just can't right now."

"OK. Then before we get into all that over dinner. . . here. A flower and book for you."

Sarah tried to smile as she led her friend over the sofa where they sat together.

"You are so thoughtful, Carrie. My gosh. I guess I really do need your company right now. I'm not looking forward to these long nights . . . alone."

"You won't be alone, Sister. Brought my toothbrush . . . and pajamas! How many times did I come over and sleep on your couch in high school?"

"More than a few. Yeah. God. But you really don't have to do all this now. I'm not a stupid girl anymore. Just still very stupid. Especially when it comes to . . ."

"Them! The enemy. Men!"

"Yes. Why are they . . . just so impossibly . . ."

"Wired. See I've always believed that they are just defectively assembled."

Sarah for the first time since returning from England, felt herself irrepressibly smile.

"Maybe you're totally right about that."

"And unfortunately we girls are just wired . . . too well. Too well for them, anyway. You see . . . they really don't deserve us. But our problem is . . ."

"Yes. Just what is our problem, Carrie?"

"Well that's easy. The full moon . . . an amazing sunset . . . a man's soft, lying words, his hard muscular body. All part of the set up. Don't you see? And then . . . you add to that our damn hungry hormones and addiction to romance and . . . snap! We're caught like a mouse in a trap!"

Sarah smiled more broadly now at her friend. She had almost forgotten just how entertaining Carrie could be. But then, how many long nights had she worked her magic in the same way following the death of Robbie in high school?