A few days later. . .
Ordinarily, Maggie was the one who answered the door, but that late Friday afternoon Michael was the one who sprang to attention when the doorbell rang. He opened the door, and saw a woman about six feet tall, with a body somewhere between the angularity of a man who works out regularly and the softness of a woman. She was smiling. "Michael?"
"J-Janice? C'mon in!" He took her small suitcase from her hand, even though she seemed perfectly capable of carrying it.
Janice gave Michael a hug. "It's so good to see you again!" Michael blushed, fiercely. Janice turned to Maggie. "And you must be Maggie! You've grown so much since I saw you last!"
"Thanks! You" Maggie cut herself off.
"Were you about to tell me that I've changed?'
"Uh, yeah."
"Damn right I have. I'm not in the least embarrassed when someone points it out. I'm proud of it."
"OK then. You've changed."
"Can I get you a drink?" said Michael.
"A beer would be nice." Janice leaned down to pet Mrs. Woods. (Michael and Maggie hadn't given them cat names. It felt like that would be crossing a line somehow. ) "And these are the famous cats!"
"Yeah" said Maggie "Speaking of changing." The three laughed.
Michael ordered pizza and the three had an enjoyable conversation going over old times and what they were doing now. Maggie was starting to feel like a third wheel, though, as she noticed how Michael and Janice were having trouble taking their eyes away from each other for very long. "I think I'll go over to Taylor's tonight" she announced. She wanted to go over anyway. Taylor had been acting kind of weird over the last few days, almost as if she was holding something back. Maybe it was time to have it out.