Just Call Me Kelley

3

"Who was that?" Cassandra asks, glancing back at me in the rearview mirror.

I shrug as I lean back in the seat, "Beats me."

"But he called you by first name."

"Sandra, I tell everyone to call me by first name, he probably just heard me telling the doorman to call me that."

Cassandra simply raises an eyebrow, but doesn't continue questioning.

"So, where to?" She asks.

"Thought we were picking Lily up." I say, sitting up in the seat.

"Can't, she's held up at the office." Cassandra states, sighing.

"That girl is going to run herself ragged if she doesn't stop the twelve to fourteen hour work days."

"Give her a break, she just got promoted and Controller is a big job. Keeping track of all the finances for a fortune five hundred company can't be easy. And it's not like you haven't ever stayed at work for some very ungodly hours, Ms. CEO."

I simply nod, and look out the window at the city flashing by.

"So where ARE we going then?" I ask.

"I was thinking we could go hang out by Pritzker Pavilion or just wander around Millennium park instead of going to the fountain and then clubbing. I don't know about you, but on a nice night like this, I don't want to be in some stuffy club."

"Cassandra, it's freaking 50 degrees outside, and windy. Please tell me how that sounds like a nice night."

"You're a Chicagoan, now act like it." She snaps with a laugh.

Shivering slightly, I wait as Cassandra pulls the car into one of the underground parking garages and gets a little ticket. Opening the car door, I step out. "Honestly Cassandra, why didn't we just walk, it's only about two miles between here and my apartment. Look who's not acting like a native now." I smirk at her.

"Don't smirk, you look like an idiot." Sandra smirks as my face falls.

"Hey, that's not nice!" I say, faking offense as I sniffle slightly.

"You'll get over it." She laughs, and grabs me by the arm and starts towing my towards the park.

Laughing along, I can't help but smile at the moment in pure joy. This is what life is supposed to feel like, happiness.

"Eh, what's with the face, girl?" Sandra asks, looking back at me.

"Just thinking that this is what happiness feels like." I sigh.

"Okay, we seriously need to find you a man. You're too young and beautiful to have THIS be the highlight of your week." She says, gesturing to herself and the parking garage around her that we were still walking out of.

I simply laugh sadly, "I don't even want to remember the last time you set me up."

"Okay, I thought he was a good guy, how was I supposed to know that he would ditch you at the restaurant for another girl?"

I sigh, "It's fine, romance and Kelley Greene just don't seem to mix."

"Oh no, Kelley this is not a pity party! We are having fun tonight, so don't get all sad and mopey on me." Sandra says, grabbing my arm again and towing me the last few feet out of the garage and we jaywalk across the street into Millennium park.

"Is there a movie playing tonight?" I ask as we hop up onto the sidewalk.

"I forgot to check, but probably. They usually have one, if not then maybe a concert." She smiles hopefully.