a work in progress

Chapter 7 - A Work in Progress

"You're gunna love this!" I hear Hayley say before I make it into the restaurant.

"Good morning Hayley," I say kissing her cheek and leaning in to hug her before taking my seat. "What's up? What will I love?"

"Well, Connor –"

"I have arrived so all is right with the world," Harper boasts as she does a slow spin showcasing her undoubtedly new black dress.

"Yes, ladies it is Roberto Cavalli, and yes, you can be envious. How is everyone doing today," she finally asks as she sits.

"Hayley was just about to tell me something I'm 'gunna love' and then you barged in, in your most ostentatious style," I say.

"Well grr, claw and scratch to you too," Harper responds.

"Oh geez, I'm sorry Harper. Hayley you want to tell your story now? I'll check my attitude before something else foul comes out of my mouth."

"If you're sure," Hayley hesitates until I give her a gentle nod to move forward.

"Well, like I was about to tell MC, Connor got us three tickets for Cirque du Soleil!" She wails to two almost blank stares.

"That's, just... Well, that's," I start.

"Who cares?!?" Harper finishes.

"What do you mean, who cares," Hayley asks folding her arms and burying her chin in her chest.

"Well, Hayley it's just that," I start again.

"When you start off with that 'you're gunna love this' business we naturally assume that we actually won't be able to believe what's going to come out of your mouth. Instead you surprise us with a non-surprise like tickets to Cirque," Harper begins her cross examination looking inquisitively, almost accusingly between Hayley and me.

"Hay, we've been talking about going to their show for the past two months, and you said that Connor probably got an arts and education discount on account of he's a teacher. So forgive me for not being exactly ecstatic over this announcement. This was planned," she finishes.

"Hay, are you okay," I ask after Harper's ever eloquent closing argument.

She has such a harsh way with words knowing that Hayley is softer than an over ripened banana.

"I'm fine," Hayley replies tersely.

"Hayley, really, I don't think Harper meant what she said as harsh as you may have heard it. It's just because we all speak so frequently and this has been a big topic of discussion, we weren't as surprised by this announcement as we were expecting to be. But we're super excited that Connor was able to support our girls' nights," I offer, my voice squeaking subtly.

"Thanks MC for trying to make it better. Harper, you don't always have to go lawyer mode you know. You can humor me every once in a while."

"Right, I'll think about that the next time you prepare me for spectacularly unforeseen information and deliver lackluster and understood news. Duly noted," Harper responded with a half-smile to follow her less than necessary pedantic sarcasm.

"Okay, now that that's all said and done, thank you again Hayley. We're stoked about our night together. Everybody, high-low. Harper, you first," I hurriedly try to move the conversation.

"Alright, well my high is definitely this new Cavalli ensemble. I bought it with my bonus."

"How'd you get a bonus in June? What kind of system is that," Hayley asks.