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Yuki’s infectious peal of laughter carried across the back room, and we all were swept up in it when Lorraine appeared and said, “Sorry to interrupt, but we’re about to run out of shrimp”

When our orders were on the way to the kitchen, I said to Yuki, “Spill, girlfriend Last I heard, the DA dropped the charges against Briana Hill”

She said, “That’s correct And for the cherry on top, the Ad Shop is giving Briana her old job back”

A chorus of “Yahoo”s and “Thank God”s rose up around the table, and Yuki said, “I’ll drink to that”

We all did And then Claire turned to , Linds? What did the doctor say?”

“Nothing just yet Dr Arpino gavePulled a whole lot of blood So noe’re waiting for test results I’uys I have to admit it I’m afraid it could be aplastic anemia”

“But you kicked it,” Cindy said “Didn’t you?”

I’d had aplastic anemia years before I nosed with that wretched and often fatal disease, I actually put un into my mouth before common sense and survival instinct pulled me back

I had so much more to live for now

I said, “Even if the symptoms disappear, it can cotoo hard I don’t want to scare him unless I’m sure I don’t want to break his heart”

Yuki had grabbed a paper napkin and eeping into it

“I’m sorry,” she blubbered “Take the booze away from me”

Cindy put an arlass She said to me, “You’re not scared alone, Lindsay We’re all here”

Claire added, “Call us as soon as you hear”

I promised