Make a Memory

                                Make a  Memory

Chapter One

Abbie slid into her seat, a sigh of relief escaping her lips. Her morning didn't start all that great. First, her alarm didn't wake her up, come to find out she forgot to set it. Then the car she had reserved to pick her up had gotten a flat tire halfway to the airport. Thankfully, the driver was able to get the tire changed in no time and her back on the road. Seeing as he was a skilled driver he was able to get them in and out of rush hour traffic easily leaving Abbie only ten minutes behind schedule.  After tipping the driver she ran inside the airport to check in. Once she was done with that she was informed her terminal was on the other side of the airport. Grateful she thought to wear tennis shoes, she ran down the hallway, only stopping when she came upon  security screening. Within minutes she was through security and boarding her flight.  Stuffing her carry-on bag in the overhead compartment,  she slammed the door shut. 

Taking her seat, Abbie reached inside her bag. Feeling around inside she found her cell phone. Knowing they were preparing for take off she sent off a quick text to her friend, Shana, who was picking her up from the airport letting her know she was about to take off. Done with her phone she placed her bag underneath her seat. 

Resting her head against the window, she smiled. After months of planning, she was finally on her way to New York to spend the next seven days with her Jovi sisters.  She couldn't wait to see them. 

After receiving Abbie's text, Shana knew she was going to be hanging around the airport for a while. Deciding to make the best of her waiting time she found a  Starbucks.  With her Vanilla latte in hand she found a table towards the front where she could watch the people passing by. Glancing at the clock hanging behind the counter it read a quarter past twelve. Groaning, she took another sip from her cup, her brown eyes watching the people walk by as thy rushed from one direction to another trying to make their flight. Looking at the time again, she stood up; it was time to go meet up with Sara. Taking one last sip of her latte she tossed the empty cup into the garbage can on her way out. Knowing it would take a while for her friend to deplane then go through customs,  Shana leisurely walked towards baggage claim where they agreed to meet. Rounding the corner she was surprised to see Sara standing by the carousel waiting for her luggage. 

Sara, pronounced Zara, was a beautiful woman. Standing with one hand on her hip, she was completely unaware of the men that would glance her way. With shoulder length blonde hair,  and bright blue eyes she was a vision.  Turning her head to the side she saw Shana walking towards her. Giving a little squeal she rushed towards her friend. "Oh my god! It is so good to see you! " 

Laughing at her friend's excitement, Shana returned the hug. "It's good to see you too, Sara." 

Sara was talking a mile a minute about her flight as each woman pulled a suitcase behind them as they made their way out of baggage claims. 

"Geez, Sara, what's with the two suitcases? You are only going to be here for a week. Looks like you packed enough clothes to last you a month." She teased her friend. 

Laughing, Sara shrugged her shoulders. " I couldn't decide what to bring. Plus you never know who we might run into. " 

Chuckling, Shana shook her head. "I have lived here my whole life.  I have yet to run into "him". Besides, you have a husband at home."

"True, but I told him before I left that if I run into a certain Jersey boy that he shouldn't expect me to return home."  Moving around a man standing by a vending machine, she continued. "Do we have time for a drink before the next arrival?"

Looking at her watch, Shana assured Sara they had plenty of time. After walking for a bit they found a cafe that wasn't real busy. Sitting down they each ordered a cup of coffee and some chicken wings.  While snacking on their wings they caught up on what had been happening with each other since their previous conversation from the night before. Shana and her husband had gotten into a huge fight the night before over her girlfriends coming to New York and her taking a week off from her business. 

"Are you guys talking to each other?" Inquired Sara.

Shana shook her head. "Not really. He just doesn't understand how important you girls are to me. Or our dedication to the guys."

That was something all the girls had in common. None of their husbands understood the bond they had or how it all came about. 

"So who comes in next?" Sara could see Shana was getting upset. So she changed the subject. 

Grabbing the schedule she had made to coordinate everyone's arrival,  Shana looked it over. "According to this, Vanessa 's flight should be landing in the next thirty minutes.  After that it's Emily then Abbie." 

Sara was surprised.  "Why is Emily getting here before Abbie? Abbie is helluva lot closer than Emily is." 

"No idea." Shana was just as baffled as Sara was. 

Soon it was time to go meet Vanessa. Since Shana had met her, Sara volunteered to go get their friend while Shana stayed behind keeping their table for them. 

Foot traffic inside the airport was not as heavy as it had been earlier making it easy for Sara to spot Vanessa. There was no way anyone could miss their friend if they tried. Vanessa had the most beautiful shade of red hair that went down to her butt.  It was a mixture of blonde and red. It complemented her skin color perfectly. 

"Hey, Van!" Sara yelled, catching her friends attention. 

Vanessa spun around so fast she almost knocked the person standing next to her over. "Oops, sorry," She apologized. Rolling her suitcase next to her, Vanessa ran towards her friend. " Ahh, can you believe I finally made it!" She chuckled, throwing her arms around Sara. Stepping back, they began to walk. "Has anyone else arrived?"

"So far it's just you and me. Shana is keeping our table for us at a cafe we found. We figured it would be easier to wait there than drag ourselves all over the place. This airport is huge!"

"I could go for some food myself. I haven't eaten anything since this morning. " Being careful not to run anyone over with her suitcase, Vanessa kept pace with Sara as they headed to the cafe. 

"Hey, girlfriend," Shana greeted Vanessa. Standing up they exchanged hugs. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes." After placing her order, Vanessa sat back . " We have been so busy since we bought out that other trucking company last year. I finally convinced Kevin to hire a few more drivers." Thanking the young server for her drink, she waited until the young woman left before continuing. "Man, I so needed this vacation."

"That is great news on the expansion. Is he still mad that we stole you away from him for a whole week?" asked Sara.

Kevin didn't mind her taking a week off to spend with her friends. He just didn't get the connection they had or the way the loved their band. Tipping her head to the side, Vanessa responded. "Not really. He knows how hard I have been working this past year. Not to mention how much I have been looking forward to spending time with my girls. Besides, he has a full crew to help him at work and the kids will help out at home. I also cooked him a weeks worth the dinners before I left." 

All three women burst out laughing.  They all knew how much Vanessa's husband hated to cook. 

They were sitting around the table laughing and talking about their families when Shana jumped up. "Shit, look at the time! Emily's plane landed twenty minutes ago." Rising from her seat, she tossed her bag to Vanessa. "Watch this for me while I go get Emily."

Knowing she was late, Shana jogged back to the International terminal.  "Please don't leave." She mumbled. 

Emily Blackwell was a tiny woman, barely reaching five feet tall. She may be short but her bubbly personality more than made up for her height.  Leaning against the wall, she watched Shana frantically scanning the crowd, obviously looking for her. "Looking for someone? " She hollered.  

Shana recognized that accent from countless phone calls they had exchanged. Turning her head she spotted the person the voice be longed to. Weaving in and around a few people standing nearby she made her way over to where Emily was. "I am so sorry. We completely lost track of time." Bending down a little she gave her friend a hug. "Have you been waiting long?"

"Nah, just a couple of minutes." Looking around she turned to Shana.  "Where are the girls?" 

"Back at the cafe waiting for us. The only left to arrive is Abbie." Seeing two large suitcases propped up next to Emily, Shana groaned. "What is with you and Sara bringing two suitcases? Are you two planning a shopping spree I don't know about? " 

"Maybe." Winking, Emily spoke. "What time does Abbie's flight get in?"

Looking at her watch, Shana sighed.  "Not for another hour and a half." 

"Damn, I thought for sure she would be here before me." 

"That was the original plan but then something came up she couldn't get out of so she had to take a later flight. " Reaching for one of the handles that belonged to the smaller suitcase, Shana led Emily to the cafe where their friends were waiting for them. 

Walking into the cafe,  Emily called out. "Hey, girls." 

"Hey, the girl from down under has arrived." Vanessa teased, giving her friend a hug. 

"Hey, Ems." Sara greeted her friend in a hug. 

Once they had figured out where to put the luggage,  the women sat down. When the young woman who had been there server came over to check on them, she shook her head. "Every time I leave and come back you have added another person."

They all laughed. "Yep, and we are waiting on one more to arrive, but it won't be for a while.  Do you mind if we hang out here until her flight comes in? " They didn't want to get the young woman in trouble.  

The young girl, Michelle, told them it was fine. After taking Emily's order and getting refills for the others, she left them alone.  

"So how is married life treating you, Ems?" Vanessa asked. Last year after dating for three years Emily and her boyfriend had tied the knot. Of course they were all there to share in her joy. 

"It's good. No complaints." Blushing, she took a sip of her wine.  

"Just good? Not fantastic! Or amazing!" Teased Sara

"Aww, come on. You can do better than that!" Came Vanessa

"That is all you are going to get. Change of subject please." She pleaded with a grin.

Moving the conversation to other topics, Emily gave a silent sigh of relief. 

As the food and wine flew, so did the time. 

"Well looks like it is that time ladies." Drinking the last of her wine,  Vanessa stood up. "Be right back."

Abbie slung her carry-on over her shoulder. Reaching for her suitcase, she pulled the handle up. "Finally," She gave a heavy sigh. The flight had been long. It didn't help that the plane was full to its capacity with half the plane being occupied by college students. A group of male students had spent nearly the whole flight trying to get her phone number or email address. Making her way out of baggage claim she saw Vanessa. "VAN!" She yelled, waving her free hand over her hand. 

Vanessa saw Abbie waving at her. Pushing through the crowd she finally made it over to her friend. "About Damn time you got here." Giving Abbie a bone-crushing hug. 

Returning the hug, Abbie groaned when she saw a few of the college guys from the plane heading her way. "Let's get out of here." With her free hand she drug Vanessa out of baggage claims.  

"Hey, slow down will ya." Pulling her hand free, she shook it. "What are you trying to do? Rip my arm off." 

"Sorry,  there was a group of college guys on the plane that wouldn't 

leave me alone. When we were standing there I saw a few of them heading our way and I wanted to avoid them." Searching the crowd she was satisfied they hadn't followed her. Seeing Vanessa shaking her hand, she grimaced. "I didn't hurt you. Did I?" 

"I'm fine." Scanning the area, Vanessa chuckled. "Did we lose them?" When Abbie nodded her head yes, she frowned. "Damn." 

"So where is everyone?"

Grabbing the carry-on off Abbie's shoulder, Vanessa pointed in front of her. "This way." 

Walking into the cafe the first thing Abbie heard was her friends laughing. Walking up to the table she put her suitcase down. "Hey, is this a private party or can anyone join in?" 

"ABBIE!" They all said at once. As the girls took turns hugging her, she couldn't help but laugh. They were a crazy bunch. Seeing a few of the patrons laughing  she knew they were getting a kick out of them. 

After declining food or anything to drink they settled the bill,  leaving a very generous tip for Michelle. Walking out of the airport, Shana giggled.  "Good thing I rented a van." 

They all agreed Shana had been right in renting a vehicle large enough for all of them. 

"Ladies," Emily said, " and I use that term loosely for a few of you. This is going to be our best vacation yet." 

They spent the next hour searching for the van since Shana forgot where she parked it. Good thing the weather was good otherwise a few of them might have started complaining. Finally they found the van. Climbing in they all settled in for the drive to Shana's cousins condo. Sara, who was sitting up front with Shana, turned the radio on. The DJ was talking about their favorite band. 

Listen up all you Bon Jovi fans. The boys will be here this coming Friday night at Madison Square Garden.  If you haven't bought your ticket yet I'm afraid you are out of luck. The show sold out in ten minutes. However, for a few lucky fans we happen to have a few tickets for the show. So if you want to go. All you have to do is listen to when we play not one, not two, but three songs in a row by Bon Jovi. If you are the correct caller you win. Good luck everyone.  Now to get everybody in the mood here is a classic song by the jersey natives. 

As the opening notes to "Livin' on a Prayer" filled the van, the girls sang along as they drove down the highway, each with a smile on their face anticipating the week ahead. 

LOOK OUT NEW YORK!