Santa Company

Nina was nodding in agreement. Amy’s head was cocked to one side, the light shining on the purple streak in her hair. Frankie continued. “I cannot tell you how many hours I listened to tales of her boyfriend woes, down to the minutiae of each relationship.” Frankie let out a huff. “I know. I must sound mean, but for criminy sakes.” It was Amy’s turn to lean into the camera. “So what did you do?” Frankie raised her eyebrows. “Well . . . I left her a message saying I could not believe I had to make an appointment to speak to her. And then ended it with, ‘what if I needed you now?’ ” “Good point. We’re supposed to be here for each other,” Nina said. “Have you heard back from her?” “Nope. Nothing. Zero. Nada. Niente.” Frankie rapid-fired her response. “Not even a text? Geez, even Blinky and Gimpy can send a text. Well, almost.” Amy grinned at the mention of her cats. “I’m still working on it.” It caused a little chuckle but did not change the indignant mood. “No. No email. Absolutely nothing.” “You would think she would reach out to see if you were all right?” Nina said sharply. Frankie continued. “A few weeks later, I sent her a beautiful e-card for her birthday. I know it was delivered, but still nothing.” Frankie folded her arms. “So?” “Wow. And she didn’t respond to the card, either?” Nina said, staring at the screen. Frankie shook her head. Her eyes were welling up a bit. “I know. Like I said, it may sound mean, but she has a slew of support people who can jump through hoops for her. I’m no rocket scientist, but it seems our friendship isn’t that important to her.” Frankie wiped the one tear that escaped and was running down her cheek. “Each year, when I add another candle to my birthday cake, I try to add one line of wisdom. This year it was to simply lower my expectations.” “How sad is that?” Nina winced. “Anyway, let’s move on, please,” Frankie said. “Agreed!” Amy said, with her usual big grin. Frankie began to discuss her idea. “It’s been a year since we have all been together in the same room, and two years since our wild and crazy escapade.” Nina and Amy were nodding in agreement, and then Nina’s eyes brightened. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” “Which I might be thinking, too?” Amy added. “But wait. What are we thinking?” Frankie started. “Meet up somewhere between Christmas and New Year’s. Four, maybe five days?” Frankie cocked her elbows and turned her palms up. “Yeah? Maybe?” Nina squinted. “I have to go out to LA to finish the last season of the sitcom. My agent is leaving town on the twenty-seventh for Hawaii, and we have to wrap up some details. So I’m flying out on the twenty-sixth to sign papers and go over the audition tapes for the final episodes.” “How are you doing with all that?” Frankie was referring to the fact that Nina’s show had been canceled after two seasons. “That’s two for two. First acting, and now writing.” Nina shrugged. “That’s showbiz. I know this will sound cliché, but I genuinely appreciate the experience.” She took a bow. “Got any ideas floating in that creative head of yours?” Frankie gave her a smile of encouragement. “Ooh. Maybe a tell-all,” Nina said sarcastically. “Except the story has been told repeatedly.” “Don’t the networks always say they’re giving people what they want?” Amy asked innocently. “No, honeybunch,” Nina corrected her. “They are telling people what they want to watch. It’s no surprise streaming makes up almost forty percent of television viewing. But please don’t get me started.” She held her hands up in a “time out” gesture. “Right,” Frankie broke in. “Amy? What’s your schedule?” Amy lowered her head. “I have an interview at Stanford. They called me about a professorship, but the only time I had available was during the holiday break. I offered to do it on Zoom, but they want to show me all the amenities. Wine and dine me, I suppose.” “Wow! Amy!” Frankie shouted. “Whoa. Wait.” Nina jumped in. “As in moving back to California?” Amy blinked. “Yes.” Her expression was odd. It was as if it had suddenly occurred to her. She would have to move three thousand miles away. “Amy?” Frankie asked softly. “You okay?” She blinked again. “Yes. Yes, I’m okay. What was I thinking?” She made a funny face and slapped her hand against her forehead. “Duh.” “Back up,” Nina said. “You have an interview at Stanford?” “Yes. At one time I thought it would be the highest level of accomplishment for me, but now, I’m ambivalent. I actually love my job at MIT. And my friends. And my life. I was so flabbergasted and flattered at the sheer thought of being considered, I didn’t think the offer through. But the more I’m deliberating, it’s really not as wonderful as I had imagined.” She shut her eyes, furrowed her brow, and pouted her lips. Frankie chuckled. “You are the epitome of the absent-minded professor. You get an interview, but the scope of the situation escapes you?” “How have you made it this far without getting hit by a bus?” Nina laughed. “I take taxis.” Amy giggled. “Kidding. So I suppose I should cancel the interview.” “No. Don’t do that. If they are paying your way, you should go. See what they are offering. You don’t have to say yes, but it might give you some bargaining power to get a raise at MIT, or a grant for a special project.” Frankie was now wearing her negotiating hat. Yes, being an editor required a lot of that. With agents, authors, publishers, salespeople. “I have an idea.” Nina jumped in. “Why don’t we meet in Tahoe? I can drive up from LA, and Amy can drive in from Stanford.” “Sure! That would be fab! I haven’t been to Tahoe in a long time.” Amy clapped her hands. “I can’t remember when I was last there.” Frankie thought back to the time when she and her now ex-boyfriend Scott spent their last romantic weekend together in Lake Tahoe. Shortly thereafter, everything fell apart. Too much drama with the ex-wife, the kids, the house. All of it. As her dad put it, “You can’t fault a man who wants to be with his son.” Sadly, Frankie agreed, and for the past ten years, Scott had called to wish her a happy birthday. Amy’s eyes got wide, recalling Frankie and Scott’s breakup. “Oh, wait. Isn’t that the last time you and Scott were together?” She paused. “If it will bring up bad memories, we can pick another place.” “No. Actually, it’s fine. I am so over it. It will be a new experience in a gorgeous setting.” Frankie remembered the clean air and beautiful landscape, although in all honesty, she would have preferred somewhere warm, with beaches, and palm trees. “Yay!” Amy clapped her hands again. “What about Rachael?” Frankie sighed. “I have no problem with her joining us, but I am not going to be the one to invite her.” “Harsh?” Nina raised her eyebrow. “It’s not like you to cross someone off your list.” “No, not harsh, but yes, it is like me. I let people push me over and over, and then when my back is against the wall, I put my foot down. If they’re lucky, that’s the only place I put my foot.” Amy couldn’t help but giggle. Frankie smirked and continued. “If she really wanted to know what was going on in my life, she would have contacted me.” Nina continued. “Here’s what we’ll do, Frankie. Amy and I will give you available dates; you set it up for a four-bedroom cottage, townhouse, or whatever is available. It’s a little short notice, but I trust you’ll work your magic.” She paused to take a breath. “Once we have the info, Amy and I will send Rachael the deets. I’ll act as if I know nothing about your situation. If she brings it up, I’ll tell her it’s between the two of you. If she wants to come, she will be welcome.” “That sounds very reasonable. Thanks,” Frankie said. “It is very reasonable,” Amy agreed. Frankie let out a sigh of relief. “Okay! We’re going to Lake Tahoe.” Then she burst out with, “Oh, by the way, did I ever tell you I don’t know how to ski?” Nina and Amy let out raucous guffaws, yippees, and woo-hoo s. They were so loud, it startled Bandit, who had been sleeping comfortably on his big cushion in the corner. Frankie turned to the cat with his puffed-up tail. “It’s okay, bubbie . . . just us girls getting excited.” He blinked, stretched, got up, and circled the bed twice before he got comfortable again. “I’ll start looking into it. Nina’s right—we’re kinda late in the game here, but I’ll see what I can do,” Frankie said. Amy jumped in. “Wait! Aren’t you forgetting something? What about the guys?” Nina and Frankie started to laugh. “Oops.” “Richard isn’t expecting me back until after the first,” Nina said. “And Peter wants to visit his brother in Harrisburg. I already told him I’m not ready for the big family whatever and want to spend time with my family.” Amy nodded. “To be honest, I said I might go to some reunion, but didn’t tell him about Stanford.” “Why not?” Nina looked surprised. “How long have you known about this interview?” “Just a week, but it would have started a conversation I’m not ready to have. I was enjoying the fantasy, I suppose. And I wasn’t thinking about anyone else. It’s that big picture thing I don’t seem to have.” “Because you spend too much time staring into a microscope,” Frankie noted. Amy looked up. “Good point. I’ll continue to use it as my excuse.” She giggled. “Okay, so where were we?” “Planning our girls’ getaway.” Frankie’s eyes sparkled. “Giovanni can’t leave the restaurant. It’s crazy busy with holiday dinners. So? Looks like we are on our own!” “Uh-oh.” Amy snorted. “We are doing this!” Frankie’s smile was gleaming. “Get me those dates before you go to bed tonight.” “You got it, kiddo.” Nina gave her a two-finger salute. “Yessiree Bob!” Amy’s exuberance could be either exhilarating