Page 5 of Promise Kept

I shake my head.

Years can get by all of us, but some things never change.

Our group of friends had once been close.

Very close.

Then it broke apart.

Three one way. Three the other.

Heston stuck in the middle.

Crushing up painkillers to snort and trying to keep us all together because of our mutual investment.

Speaking of which… I can’t help but wonder what’s going to happen there.

Before I can even begin to think about the disaster waiting, I feel a tug at the back of my suit jacket.

I turn.

For a second I picture myself turning to face Heston.

His big smile and his gigantic blue eyes.

The happiest guy I ever knew.

Always high.

Sober Heston was depressed.

That’s why he did what he did.

When I turn, it’s not Heston.

Not a ghost or a dream or a memory.

Heston is dead. He’s gone forever.

But staring at me?

His very much grown up and beautiful daughter.

LARISSA

My first real best friend was named Angie.

She grew up next door. Totally rich. Totally cool.

Her father had something to do with music.

Producer?

Too bad I didn’t want to become a singer.

He could have taken me under his wing and recorded songs with me.

I could have become famous right then and there.