It was half past noon when Gwen made her entrance. Kiki, Joe, and Scott were waiting at the outdoor table at Charley's on the warm Friday. The foursome had agreed to meet for lunch since they all had plans for the weekend and would be able to do anything with their friends.

Gwen carried in her arms a stack of newspapers and a confident smile on her face. There was an air of contentment around her as she briskly traversed the path to the waiting table of friends. When she reached her destination, she plopped down in the vacant chair and dropped the newspapers on the table in front of her. As she handed each person at the table a paper, they all noticed that it was the Classifieds that she was carrying and no other part of the papers.

"How are you feeling today, Gwen?" Scott asked, being the first to speak.

"I feel happy, content and unemployed," Gwen answered with a satisfied smile.

There was a collective gasp and her three companions into a chorus of �Why?"s and "What happened?"s. Gwen just smiled and waited for them all to calm down before she would offer an explanation.

"You know, after I left Kiki's house last night, I felt horrible. I thought it was just because of what happened between me and Neil. But then I started thinking about everything in my life and how much of it really made me unhappy and I discovered that Neil was only part of a long list. In fact, about the only things not on that list was you guys. But I figured there was really nothing I could about it. Until I got to work."

"What, did the coffee maker tell you to quit again?" Joe questioned sarcastically.

"No, actually, my boss thought that because I was wearing a skirt today it meant I wanted him to have wild sex with me on top of his desk. I think it wasn't until after I slapped him that he realized that wasn't what it meant. So I told him that I quit and he would be hearing from my lawyer." "And the papers are for...?" Kiki asked.

"I need a new job," Gwen answered flatly. "I was kind of hoping you guys might help search the want ads to find something good."

As she knew they would, her friends agreed to help and soon they were all scanning various local newspapers, trying to find a new career for Gwen.

"Here's one," Kiki said first. "A secretary is needed for corporate lawyer, experience required, good pay and decent hours."

"No, I don't want a new job that is exactly like my old job," Gwen answered.

"How about this one," Joe offered. "Girls, girls, girls ... oh, wait. Gwen, how modest are you?"

"NO!" Gwen said immediately. "Nothing where I'm expected to go to work and get naked. It would be too much like my old boss."

"I've got it," Scott stated triumphantly. "The local sheriff's department is hiring dispatchers. You need to be able to type, answer phones, have good people skills and think clearly in stressful situations."

"Now that sounds interesting," Gwen replied, obviously intrigued. "What do I have to do to be hired?"

"It looks like a typing test, written test, psychological, polygraph, computer skills, and a background check."

"What about pay?"

"It doesn't say. I had a cousin who did this back east, and he said the pay was usually really good."

"Ladies and gentlemen, I think we have a winner," Gwen said as she took the paper from Scott and inspected the ad. "I'll have to call this number on Monday."

"Why not call them today?" Kiki asked.

"I want to enjoy my weekend," Gwen answered.

"What if you can't get this job?" Joe asked, suddenly seeming very serious.

"Well, I have my savings account, Mr. Optimistic," Gwen replied. "And Charley said if I need to, I can do some waitressing here to help make ends meet."

"But she'll get the job," Kiki said with a proud smile.

"We hope," Joe added softly.

"Oh, my sister wanted to know if you guys are coming to the wedding?" Scott interjected, trying to change the subject.

He had been around the group long enough to know that Joe's attitude could very easily start an argument. He had also learned that Joe only got this attitude when he was upset or worried about something. But Scott didn't feel it was quite his place to question Joe about his private life. So, in an attempt to avoid an argument, Scott decided changing the subject was the best he could do.

"I didn't know we were invited," Gwen said.

"All of us?" Joe asked.

"When is it?" Kiki finished.

"Yes, you're invited. Yes, all three of you. My family said that they have heard so much about the three of you that it wouldn't seem right if you weren't there. It is three weeks from tomorrow. It'll be a small ceremony and reception and she needs to know if you guys are coming to tell the caterers," Scott said.

"Where will it be?" Joe asked.

"At my house. We would have to leave Friday night and I'll drive us all up there," Scott answered.

"I should be able to make it," Kiki said.

"I'm there," Gwen added, her enthusiasm beginning to overwhelm her.

"Three weeks from tomorrow? What day is that?" Joe asked.

"The 17th," Scott replied.

"I should be able to make that. I have to go home next weekend. My cousin, Audrey, is getting married."

"You don't sound too excited," Gwen remarked.

"I'm not," Joe countered. "All I'm going to hear while I'm there is �Joe, why haven't you gotten married yet?' and �When are you going to settle down with a nice young girl?'"

Joe sighed heavily. The very thought seemed to depress him.

"You haven't told your family your gay yet?" Gwen asked, her tone turning very sympathetic.

"No, and I don't give a damn about what my family thinks about it. It's my mom. I don't know how she'll take it."

"It's one of those things you just have to do," Kiki remarked. "You'd be surprised at what a mother could lover her child through. Trust her. She'll be shocked at first, but I'm sure in the end, she'll love you just the same."

"Thanks wise one," Joe retorted with his usual sarcasm. "I know she will, but I'm still really nervous about it. But I have decided that I have to tell her and this wedding is probably the best time to do it."

"Look, you that no matter what, we're here for you, and we love you," Gwen said.

"What about you, Scott?" Joe said, turning to the only person at the table who had not said anything.

"You know how I feel about you," Scott said.

Gwen and Kiki just looked to one another and smiled. They knew what was coming next and had become rather fond of Joe and Scott's joking.

"Yes, but after working and slaving over a hot stove to make your life a little easier, and setting you up with my best friend so that someone in the group might eventually have sex, it would be nice to hear the words every once in awhile," Joe said in a tone of mock sadness. He sounded like the unappreciated wife in so many old movies and shows.

"I love you, man," Scott replied as he pretended to cry. "And if I am the one in the group that may eventually have sex, I hope it's not with you."

"The feeling is mutual," Joe said with a straight face.

"Hey!" Scott said, faking shock and hurt from the comment.

Kiki and Gwen could no longer hold their laughter in. The group drew many strange looks from the others eating outside but did not stop their laughing and joking.