The adult world was getting harder to manage for me. Violet's AA meetings were a breeze now with it being routine. IBM was demanding more time from me which meant I had less time for myself.

Andy, on the other hand, was just a friend. A nice friendship bloomed from where we stood many months ago when he was at Betty Ford. But, for some reason, it felt like it was a masquerade between the two of us. Lost in a masquerade I suppose.

Violet had successfully been sober for 4 months. It was a proud stride for her and me. With Grandma Mary also being on her success team, things were really looking up for her.

"I got accepted into art school!" Violet told the entire AA meeting tonight.

I had known for a few days and was so proud to see her keep climbing the ladder. She really knew what to fix and focus on now. Her priorities weren't blurry.

Days and weeks were trickling by and fall was quickly approaching. It seemed to have a bitter chill but not to the California air. Something felt off. It wasn't Violet.

I didn't have much time for concerts anymore as an adult. But, Andy had a gig and invited both me and Violet to come see his stage show. In all my years, I never saw him perform live even at the height of his career.

So, Violet and I went one afternoon to see him. His mother Barbara was there as well.

The room wasn't even half-full. He was performing at this little casino club room. 

"This is depressing," Violet whispered to me.

"I know but we got to push up his confidence if he asks us anything," I whispered to her.

He did a Mills Brother medley and even sang a few of his brother's songs from the 70s.

The show was over and he had someone come get us to hang out after the show.

"So what did you think?" was Andy's first question.

Violet and I looked at each other unsure what to say.

"It was great. I mean I never ever saw you perform years ago. It's a nice little show,"  I spoke.

"Yeah, Andy it was a lovely show," Violet added to my comment.

Just then, a woman I had yet seen before came in.

"Oh guys this is my girlfriend Diana. She's a Solid Gold Dancer," Andy said as she proceeded to reach for our hands to shake.

I was taken aback. Not that he needed to tell us he was in a relationship. But, for some reason, my little heart was broken at this revelation.

"Nice to meet you," Diana told me and Violet.

"Likewise," I remarked.

Violet looked at me as Andy and Diana talked, forgetting we two were standing there.

"We'll uhm head out. See you around Andy," I told him as we exited the dressing room.

Violet and I didn't say a word till the car.

"I saw your eyes. Your heart broke," Violet commented as I proceeded to drive us to Grandma Mary's condo.

I sighed.

"Why does it bother me that he's already in a relationship? I should be happy he's healthy. It's not like I ever liked him," I remarked.

Violet sighed at my comment.

"You fell for him, didn't you? Now that you got to see him as Andrew Gibb and not the stage name out of the center," Violet asked me.

"Did I? I feel dumb feeling like this," I told her.

"It's only natural to have a crush on someone I mean just because you are 25 doesn't mean a thing," Violet told me.

"A crush? I'm not in high school," I told her as we both noticed the rain drizzling.

I decided to take the backroads to Grandma Mary's with the rain beginning.

"You don't have to be in high school to feel something for someone. Especially if you've really never explored the feelings outside your own head," Violet told me,

"I guess I just lost my head I don't know. Can we stop talking about this?" I told her as we found the side street to get to Grandma Mary's.

"I'll take it to the grave," Violet commented as she crossed her heart.

I chuckled.

I dropped her off at Grandma Mary's so I could hopefully beat the horrible thunderstorm.

"Somehow I always end up alone," I commented to myself as I parked my car in the driveway.

I took a second before rushing out of the car and running up the walkway.

In my usual routine, I hit play on my messages.

"Hey (Y/N), it's Andy. I'm sorry we didn't chat longer at the show.  If you wanna talk, call me back," the voice message spoke.

I deleted it. I wasn't going to do this today. I didn't know how to process the feelings. He had a girlfriend. What did he need me around for?

Days went by again where I didn't correspond with Andy. I put my focus on Violet and my job. 

Violet was doing great and staying steady in school.

Halfway through her first semester, she received notice her teacher submitted her artwork to a showcase and it was to hang for 2 months in the art gallery. It was opening night and there were gonna be refreshments and music.

So, we dressed up that night and headed to see it. Grandma Mary was so ecstatic and kept taking so many pictures.

"Grandma calm down. It's not like we're going to the White House," Violet told her as we settled into the car. 

I was driving us to the little art gallery. 

"We live in California, honey. Any celebrity could have been invited to this gallery," Grandma Mary commented as we began our drive to the place.

I chuckled.

"Reality check Grandma. Who could be there?" Violet asked.

"Well, I would love to see Robert De Niro," Grandma Mary remarked.

I tried not to laugh.

"He's not a musician though Grandma," Violet replied back.

I stayed quiet as I followed the signs. They had put up road signs warning of closures and special events ahead.

We arrived shortly and made our way in. Violet found her teacher, Mrs. Robertson right away.

"Mrs. Robertson, this is my best friend (Y/N) and my Grandma Mary," she introduced us.

"Nice to meet you both. Violet talks so highly of you both," Mrs. Robertson commented as she shook our hands.

"She's like my sister," I told Mrs. Robertson.

We conversed with all of Violet's fellow classmates and I went to get a refill on my drink.

"I thought it was you," I heard from next to me.

I slowly looked out the corner of my eye. You'll never guess who was invited to the art gallery.

"I-uhm," I replied as I slowly turned my head.

"Why have you been ignoring my calls?" Andy asked me.

"You've been calling?" I asked playing dumb.

"Yes, a lot. I really enjoyed talking to you," Andy told me.

"How's Leanna?" I asked trying to shift the subject.

Andy looked at me confused.

"My ex-girlfriend Diana?" he asked me.

Ex-girlfriend? Wait.

"Oh it was Diana. I just remembered the "ana" part," I replied as I sipped my punch.

"She broke up with me the day after the show," Andy told me.

"I-uhm I'm so sorry Andy," I told him.

"You left me with a memory about you," he told me.

"Huh?" I asked him.

"Our friendship. I went crazy trying to get ahold of you," he told me.

"I'm sorry," I told him.

He shook his head.

"I should be the one who's sorry. I feel like I said something wrong the day of my show," he told me.

"No no I've just been extra busy between Violet and my job," I told him.

It wasn't a total lie. But, Andy wants to be friends with me? Was there a life of desire that we both needed from each other?

"I'm glad you are okay. What are you here for anyway?" he asked.

"Violet. She got her art into the gallery," I told him proudly.

"Let's go find her. I would love to see it," he remarked.

A new friendship chapter was about to begin.  Perhaps we were just islands in the stream.