Josie felt her shoulders sag. She nodded slowly and sighed, yanking her bag higher on her shoulder. All right, Gloria. Maybe Ill talk to him. I guess it wouldnt hurt to get some closure, one way or the other.

Thats the spirit! Gloria slipped something into her hand. Josie stared at the words on the business card: /The Reverend Mrs. Gloria Needleman, Universal Spiritual Church; Notary Public; Wedding Officiate; Mensch.

Payment Plans Available./ Josie laughed. She half expected Mrs. Needleman to tell her she was pulling her leg.

Instead, Gloria leaned close. In a conspiratorial whisper she said, Im already booked solid for June.

Gloria was right. Josie was being hardheaded. Rick deserved a chance to explain. Hadnt Josie once promised him that shed be kind and forgiving?

These last ten days had been filled with nothing but grief, anger, betrayal, and general nastiness, and she hated the way it made her feel.

By the time she reached her friends at the top of the hill at Dolores Park, shed made her decision. There would be no going back.

The women stopped dead when she appeared, not only because they didnt expect her, but because of Genghiss drastic change in appearance. They stared in disbelief, mouths open, eyes big.

Jesus H! Bea shouted. Did he have a fight with Edward Scissorhands or something?

Hes bald, Ginger whispered. He looksI dont knowlike a big Vienna sausage with legs.

Gee, thanks, Josie said.

Lilith growled and snarled at Genghis, a male dog she did not recognize.

Roxie cracked up laughing. What the hell happened to him?

I got him clipped yesterday.

More like skinned, Bea corrected.

Ginger gasped. Is this what Celestial Pet gives you for free? Because if it is, I think you should go ahead and spend a few bucks.

Okay. I know he looks strange. Josie could add guilt to the long list of negative emotions shed been wallowing in. I took him to this little place off Twenty-first Street on a whim, when we were out walking. I tend to do impulsive things when Im depressed.

Ginger shook her head in dismay. For the love of God, go shopping next time, Jozeyou can always take a pair of shoes back to the store.

Roxie tilted her head. Ive missed you. Im glad youre here. She gave Josie a quick hug.

Ive missed you guys, too, Josie said. I wanted to tell you that Ive thought about it, and Im going to talk to Rick.

Thank God! Bea shouted, jumping up and down in her Reeboks. Martina must have thought it was some kind of agility exercise because she jumped with her, barking with joy.

Roxie and Ginger threw their arms around Josie and rocked her back and forth, squealing with excitement. Everybodys leashes got tangled. An oncoming dog walker opted to take a wide detour around the chaotic group, while Lilith snarled.

I /knew/ I could talk you into it, Bea said, when she finished jumping.

Josie picked a strand of Gingers hair from her lips and said, Mrs.

Needleman did that.

Really? Bea looked hurt.

But you helped, Josie quickly added. And so did you two. She peeled Ginger and Roxie off her shirt.

Ginger began fanning her flushed face. Rick is an absolute gem of a man.

And Josie, he loves you. Isnt that the Gods truth? Ginger looked to Roxie for confirmation.

Damn right, Roxie said. That man adores you, Josie. Hes been like a lost puppy without you since the kidnapping. He blames himself for putting you in dangerhe thinks thats why youre angry with him!

Well, its not, Josie said quietly. Like I told you, something else has been bothering me, but I realize I cant figure it out aloneI need Ricks help.

Ginger sighed. If you two get back together, it will be the most romantic thing Ive ever witnessed in my life.

The kidnapping wasnt Ricks fault, Bea said.

It wasnt anyones fault, Josie added.

The hell it wasnt!

Everyone was stunned by Beas outburst.

It was /my/ fault! she said, raking her fingers through her spiky hair, her voice filled with anxiety. If it werent for my interfering, Rick would have been with you! You wouldnt have been a sitting duck! Beas lips began to tremble. Im so sorry, Josie. Please try to forgive me.

Oh, Bea. Josie went over to the now thoroughly crying woman and gave her a warm hug. I am blessed to have friends who love me enough to worry about me. Just, next time… Josie gave all of them a thin smile.

Come to me directly if youve got concerns, okay?

Of course! Ginger said.

And you wont hide something important again, no matter how melodramatic we get with our vows and promises, Roxie said, grinning.

Never, Josie replied.

But there wont be a next time, right? Beas voice sounded worried. Youre going to work it out with Rick, right? Youre not going to let him go.

Josie looked around at the anxious expressions on her friends faces and laughed.

Roxie looked appalled. You almost let a man like Rick Rousseau walk out of your life and you think its funny?

You cant do that, Ginger said, her eyes big. Go after him, Josie!

Do whatever it takes. Beas voice became hushed and she grabbed Josies arm. Give it everything youve got. Beg if you have to.

Josie stared at them. The same women who had spent years scolding her for throwing herself at men were now demanding she throw herself at a man. Youve done a complete one-eighty on me. Whats up with that?

Were talking about Rick, Bea said, quite seriously. Josie, this man is not one of the Spikes of the world.

Hes not a Lloyd, Roxie said.

Hes not even a Wayne or a Randy or a Billy or whoever that guy was who stole your turkey baster when he moved out.

I havent thought of Lester in years, Josie said.

You finally got it right. Thats what were saying. Bea shook her head. So dont fuck it up now.

Josie smiled at her friends, knowing shed heard that piece of advice more than once lately. Ill try to reach him sometime this afternoon.

Hes at the office until four.

Josie stared at Bea, who looked sheepish. How would you know that?

Weve been keeping in touch, Bea said with a shrug. You know, in case you might need him for something.

Josie laughed.

Not that Im going to get in your business ever again, Bea added. I swear.

I think its time for some new vows, Ginger said, a mischievous smile taking over her face. Pile on, girls. She stuck out her hand. Bea slapped hers on next. Then Roxie. Josie went on top.

I promise to give myself a breaknot be so afraid of being forty and alone, Ginger said. And I promise to be a better friend to all of you.

Bea jumped in next. I promise to be there for all of you however I can, but from now on Ill offer my assistance from a respectful distanceand only after its requested.

Everyone giggled.

I vow to try harder to let go of the past, Roxie said, with a sigh. Ill try not to be so hacked off all the time.

It was Josies turn. Unlike the last time they did this, she didnt feel compelled to put on an act. Unlike the last time, she had no clever commentary.

Josie looked into the faces of the three women in the circle and said, I vow to take stock of my blessings every day, and that includes all of you. Thank you for being my friends.

The women pumped their hands in unison and reached to the sky with a celebratory /whoo-hoo!/ They linked arms and walked, laughing, their dogs running free. Except for the muzzled Lilith and the frightened HeatherLynn, who finished peeing on Gingers shoe, then demanded to be picked up.

Rick awakened from the stillness of meditation. The instant he opened his eyes, Josie was there. At first he thought she was a mirage, and that, like a dying man in the desert certain hed found water, Josie had come back to himhis salvation at long last.

His cell phone rang. It was Teeny. Yep, I see them. Tell the front desk Ill take care of it.