She hadn't seen Delancey in at least seven years, but she seemed somehow different from the way Kim remembered her. They'd been pretty good friends in college but afterwards had gone their separate ways. And so, when she'd called out of the blue, it had been somewhat of a surprise to Kim.
A tallish slender woman with long dark hair and a runner's body, Delancey looked the very epitome of an upscale business executive, with her commanding presence, competent intensity and conservative business attire.
Kim on the other hand had a far softer build, with wavy hair that bordered on the line between brown and honey blonde, misty blue eyes, and curves that evoked cat calls now and again from the neighborhood boys.
They'd met at one of the downtown bars near Kim's place and spent the first hour or so getting caught up. Kim had been dating. More of an on again off again thing with Jeff, and she lamented that he was never going to get serious. Delancey had thrown herself into her job as an advertising exec, and really hadn't had much of a social life, preferring to direct her energies toward advancing her career.
Kim had to admit that she wouldn't have made that call a few years previously. In college, Delancey had been a bit of a party princess. Not so much that she'd garnered a reputation, but enough so that everyone close to her knew. Kim was more of a girl next door type.
"I took almost a year off after school." She'd explained. Telling Kim how she'd ended up in Nepal. She'd fallen ill and it was the middle of nowhere. There had been a monastery, and they took her in until her health returned. It had been life changing.
Kim tried to picture it. Delancey trekking across the Nepalese wilderness. It was surprising to say the least. Delancey, with her slender athletic build, striding, cat-like up mountain paths. Kim chuckled to herself.
"So, why contact me, now?" Kim got around to the inevitable.
"I know. Right?" Delancey began. "When I was sick. The monks taught me to do these daily affirmations. Thinking of things that produced positive energy. It was part of the healing process. For some reason, my mind just kept turning to you."
"Delancey, we were never that close." Kim said.
"I know that. I'm not really sure why my mind made that connection. Kept making that connection. It wasn't one thing... and ever since. I felt it was time to reach out." Delancey tried.
They were both quiet for a minute. Then Delancey turned to Kim.
"Remember that finance professor I was fucking?" She asked.
"Yeah, I caught you guys in his office after hours one night after a late class." Kim recalled.
"You never turned us in. His wife never found out." Delancey stated.
"Wasn't my business what you guys were doing." Kim said.
"Yeah, well that stuck with me is all." Delancey admitted placing her hand on top of Kim's. "You really did me a solid. Made me realize what I was doing. I broke it off with him after that."
It hadn't been a big deal at the time. Hardly the basis for a reunion. Delancey's hand on hers was... electric. It was inexplicable. Confusing. Kim turned to find Delancey staring into her eyes unflinchingly.
Kim felt their gazes lock. Delancey's eyes were suddenly fascinating. Kim couldn't quite explain why. Any more than she could tear herself away. They sat that way for several minutes, though it could have been just a few seconds. Kim really didn't know. She just felt this sense of calm pervade her entire being, lost in her friend's eyes. It was magical.
"Let's get out of here." Delancey said.
"Um... sure. Where to?" Kim heard herself say.
"Your place." Delancey suggested.
