This is the twelfth part in a series, so if you have not yet done so, you might want to read Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, Part X, and Part XI before continuing.
Eliza was so busy looking for her friend when she got off the plane she almost missed the woman in a suit, sunglasses, and hat, holding a sign with her name on it. Eliza laughed and ran to her friend, who grinned widely and dropped the sign so she could open her arms wide to embrace her friend. They clung to each other while jumping up and down and squealing with delight.
“It’s so good to see you,” they said in unison, then laughed together.
“I cannot believe you’re actually standing here in that getup holding that sign.”
“I couldn’t resist,” Angela said sheepishly, but not quite apologetically.
“I wish you hadn’t. I was hoping to get here incognito, but now you’ve totally blown my cover.”
Angela giggled, thinking Eliza was joking, but Eliza wasn’t laughing. That was when Angela looked up and noticed how many people were looking at them, many of them with their phones and cameras already up and pointed at them. “Oh, crap,” Angela said. “I’m sorry, I … I guess I didn’t think it through.”
“It doesn’t matter. Let’s just get out of here.”
They made their way to baggage claim, but the damage had already been done. Several people stopped and asked them for their autograph or a picture. Angela was sure none of them knew who she was, but they seemed to assume she must be someone famous since she was with Eliza.
By the time they got in her car, Angela felt a bit dazed. “Well, that was … something.”
“Sorry about that.”
“No, it’s my fault. You’re right, I should never have made that stupid sign. I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s pretty wild isn’t it?”
“Yeah. It is.” Angela paused while she thought about it. Then she said, “You handled it really well, though.”
Eliza beamed. “You think so?”
“I do. I mean, I know this is what we’ve always talked about, but…”
“But it’s different when you actually experience it.”
“Yeah. I mean I knew fame wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. I guess I just never thought about how deeply weird it is to have complete strangers come up to you like they know you.”
“Well, you’d better get used to it now so you’re fully prepared when you become a famous news anchor.”
Angela blushed. “I forgot to tell you. I got passed up for the promotion.”
“This time. There’ll be others.”
“I know.”
“Hey,” Eliza said, putting a hand on her friend’s arm. “I mean it. You’ve only been at this a few years. You’re time is coming. I promise.”
“I’ve been at this as long as you have.”
“Yeah, but you’re working in corporate America where the climb up the ladder is long and grueling. I got a lucky break, which means I got to skip a few rungs.”
“I’d say more than a few.”
“Yeah,” Eliza said thoughtfully, looking ahead of her like she wasn’t really seeing what was there. Then she settled back in the chair and said, “Home, Jeeves.”
“I should kick you out just for that.”
“You wouldn’t do that, Jeeves. You love me.”
Angela smacked her friend playfully on the arm, then put the car in gear. Because Eliza was right. Angela did love her.
To be continued…
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