Sparks Fly

thought I’d drop by to see if you wanted anything to ...
    Ang, you look terrible.”
    Angelina nodded sleepily in agreement. “I’m just so darn tired,” she said, yawning halfway through her sentence. “But I still have so much packing to do.”
    “Nonsense. I’m hiring you a packing company.” Angelina started to protest, so Krista said, “It’ll be my going-away present to you, even though you know I don’t want you to go away.”
    Angelina kicked her feet up on the ottoman in front of her and closed her eyes. She was just about dozing off by the time Krista completed her call. Her best friend shook her awake.
    “The movers will be here ASAP. Take the keys to my apartment and go get some sleep. I’ll tell them what to do.”
    Angelina felt tears spring up in her eyes. She gave Krista a fierce hug. “You’re the best.”
    Krista returned her hug, saying affectionately, “You pregnant women are all so emotional.”
    “Don’t remind me.” She took Krista’s keys and shoved them in her pocket. “Are you sure you don’t mind taking care of this for me?”
    Krista, who had already made herself perfectly comfortable on the couch, waved her out the door. “Go already. Who knows, maybe one of the moving boys will be a cutie.”
    “What about Derek?”
    Krista waved her hand in the air. “His company party isn’t until next month. And besides, just because I said I’d go out with him doesn’t mean I’ve got a chastity belt on until then.”
    Angelina laughed and groaned at the same time. “Thanks, Kris.”
    “I know you’d do the same for me.”
    Angelina nodded and walked out the front door. It was true. If Krista ever got in a predicament like the one she herself was in, she would help her best friend in any way she could.
    Who was the one leading a seemingly unblemished life now?
    Angelina admitted regretfully that while Krista’s life was outwardly wild and reckless, at least she had more sense than to lose her heart to a completely unavailable man and get pregnant all at the same time.

    * * *
    Angelina slept like the dead in Krista’s apartment. By the time she returned to her house it was empty except for a suitcase in the foyer with an envelope on it.
    Angelina walked through the rooms in disbelief. “How could anyone have possibly packed up my house so quickly?” Her words reverberated off the bare wood floors and empty stucco walls. She went back into the foyer and opened up the envelope.
    “What the heck?” A first class ticket to New York fell out and onto the floor. She picked it up.
    She was booked on a direct flight to Albany from San Francisco, leaving at 8:00 p.m.
    Unfolding the note, she read Krista’s flowing handwriting.
    Ang,
    In case you were wondering, the movers were all cute and I promised that if they got you packed up on the double, I would take them out for a drink. Looks like my little scheme did the trick.
    (Although I hope they’re at least 21 ... and did I mention how cute they are?) I know you wanted to get out of here as soon as possible, so I booked you a ticket to New York for tonight. No moving gift is complete without first class. The Realtor is expecting you at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow with the key to your new house. You know I’m no good at goodbyes so I arranged an airport limo to come and get you.
    Whatever you need, call me. And keep the sheets clean on your guest bed. You never know when I’ll be at your door.
    Love, Kris
    Angelina leaned heavily against the inside of the front door and held Krista’s letter to her chest.
    She wondered what she had ever done to deserve such an amazing friend. Someday she hoped she could repay her for all of the support she had given her during this impossible time.
    The airport limo honked from the driveway. Turning to look one last time at what had been a wonderful home, she picked up her suitcase, opened the front door, and walked out toward the limo without a backward glance.

    * * *
    Angelina was staring blankly ahead in the waiting area for Gate 15 at SFO when a young couple sat down next to her with their baby. She watched them kiss and cuddle their child and something inside her tore apart. When the mother passed the sweet baby girl to the father, and Angelina saw the look of utter delight on his face as he cooed nonsense words to his daughter, Angelina jumped up out of her seat and ran to the nearest pay phone.
    She called Will’s house and cell, but wasn’t surprised when he didn’t pick up. He’d