Anna Christabelle rested against the window of her bus seat as her bus took on the last mile towards her old hometown of Edenville, Canada. She was going to see her old friend Chloe Gouldingstein, her long time best friend, whom she had not seen in nearly seven years. Anna was tense with anticipation. It had been so long since she had stepped foot in this tiny town. And her family had left under such unfavourable circumstances. The two friends had not seen each other since they were both fifteen years old. But in that brief time, they were the closest of any friends of any time and of any sort in all the world.

As the bus bumped up and down over the many holes of the long dirt road, Anna thought back to the last time she had seen her good friend, when her father drove their chevrolet in shame out of the town. Anna tried to hide her tears, and was filled with shame because of the discoveries made against her father, the town priest. Chloe screamed "Why are you leaving me?!! Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?!! I need you!!! I love you!!!" Chloe wasn't told the reason for the Christabelles' leaving. Anna wonderd how she would make it through everything without her best friend. Chloe shouted, "What will you do without me?!!!"

Anna knew she still had her brother, Tim. But they didn't get along very well.

As the bus drove, Anna just stared out the window as the time seemed to pass like slow honey. Nervousness crept up from her feet and spread through her entire body as the seconds ticked. How can she show her face in that small town like this again? Everybody who knew her knew what happened, and everybody knew her since it was such a small town. They knew that her father had molested a boy. And every time Anna thought of this she winced with shame and a hate for her father. What that must that have done to that boy's mind! she thought. Her father was sued and lost the case. And as much as she didn't want to believe it, she knew that it had to be true. Eventually she was taken to live with her aunt, since her mother had died giving birth to Anna. That was when Anna's father took the vow to devote his life to the priesthood.

Anna didn't know if her father had done anything else ever like this. She wondered what must have caused him to do this? Was he just plain evil? And had he ever abused her brother? She didn't know.

The bus pulled over at the stop. Through the window she saw a very pretty girl, with great green eyes, and long fine culry blonde hair. Could this be Chloe? She looked so different. Must be a dye job, she thought. They had only talked briefly on the phone and Anna didn't know how Chloe would recieve her. Would everybody in the town think that there was something wrong with her too? Would they scorn her? It wasn't my fault, she thought. It wasn't my fault!

They shook hands and made their introductions. Anna could tell that Chloe was nervous too. But underneath that initial level of awkwardness Anna sensed some anticipation still yet mixed with what must be some trace remnants of anger for never saying goodbye the way she should have.

They held up the surface level of conversation until they seated themselves at Dicky's, the famous homely local restauraunt. Then a blanket of silence encroached itself upon them. The old memories were just welling up in Chloe's mind, and she could not go on with this masqurade of good will.

"Anna," she said, " Why did you leave me?"

Her tone was polite. Anna wasn't looking forward to this. But she knew it was coming. She knew she owed some sort of explaination to Chloe. Anna spoke up, "You must have heard the rumours, Chloe. Don't make me say it. Don't make me tell you how my father is a sick pedafeliac monster. We both know it."

"Yes, yes. I heard the rumours. There were many rumours. I don't even know which ones are real. But that's not what I'm asking you. That's not what I want to know. You know what I want to know. I want to know why you never told me you were going. You knew what that would do to me."

"I'm sorry, Chloe. I'm truly sorry. I didn't mean it."

"Yeah ... but you did it."

"Look, I was a child. I wasn't ready for telling you the ugly truth. I was so ashamed, I couldn't lift my head. I couldn't talk to anyone. ANYONE. Chloe, don't you know if I would have told anyone it would have been you. You were beautiful. Our friendship was beautiful. And as much as I loved you I couldn't tell you. Can't you imagine what a state I must have been in ... if I wouldn't even tell you, my best best friend in all the whole world?"

"It's okay. It's okay, Anna. It's okay. Really, besides we're adults now. I've long since forgiven you. I have long since learned that things don't always go your way. Nothing is just. I've forgiven you. It's just that I never got that closure. I suppose that is why I contacted you and invited you. It's okay, alright. Let's just try to enjoy our time here together. Let's focus on the now. Let's appreciate each other once more. Ehh ...How do you like your french fries? These are the best you'll find for miles and miles, they say. Edenville fries!" Chloe spole nervously.

"You're just as silly as ever, Chloe. It's good to know you haven't changed as much as you look like you have." "Oh, did you know I'm married to John? Do you remember John Williams? We are veterinarians. It's not much, but it's what I love. You gotta do what you love. And you.... What have you been doing with your life in the big city?"

"I'm a chef, actually" Anna said. "It's really very great. I've learned to cook some of the finest cuisines. Delicious, decadent, pleasure filled meals. I like to think that I make life rich for people. Cooking is more than an art ... it is a life philosophy! It's a refinement of the soul!"