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“I miss her, too, you know”

“Huh?” I asked, looking up quizzically

“Simone She was my friend, you know”

“I-I didn't, she never mentioned you”

“We o”

I had never even considered that Simone had a life after I left Of course, she had She hanistan, had Jess, ran a really thriving art studio The idea that she didn't have a friend or two I didn't know about was just silly

“How did you meet her?”

“She was a professor ata class by invitation of the Art Department I knew her mostly by reputation before that I was on my way to the dance studio when I passed the soundproof rooms that the musicians and artists could book to practice and work, and there she was I was lost watching her paint It was like the brush was an extension of her hand”

“Did she notice you?”

“Yup Your sister invited ic”

“It asn't it, like ic, I mean”

“Absolutely! Anyhoo, ere fast friends after that, even though I was just a kid”

“Si everyone with respect Goes a long way to explaining why Jessica is how she is”

“A?”

“Exactly”

I knew that I wasn't the only one as grieving the loss of Siht about it Not deeply I really hadn't thought that Jessica would understand, but of course, she did I had also never i could one person be?

“It still hurts even now,” Becky said

“There's no ti to be helpful

“No, I guess not”