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"Nora's still a little sad," Sam told me, her voice soft.

I watched as Caroline spoke quietly to Nora. She kept her eyes on Caroline's watch and toyed with the band. I noticed she no longer wore shoes and her softer, more familiar demeanor reemerged.

"Nora," I called to her and she peeked up at me. "I'm really not upset with you anymore and I apologize for my delivery. I should've talked to you in private."

She nodded and bit her bottom lip. "I shouldn't have told Jordan. I got over excited."

"I understand."

"Aw, what cute little subs making friends again." Caroline grinned. "Let's see you two hug. Nakedly."

"No." Sam pointed at Caroline and laughed. "Don't start."

"Oh my God." Anita dropped her head in her hands and groaned.

"What've I missed?" Marita swept in, a latte held in one hand, and the rest of her appearing like she tumbled off a cruise ship built for hippies. Airy cotton pants and a flowy tunic, coupled with her hair down to her waist, painted the perfect picture of relaxation.

"Rosie and Nora about to show us the best parts of themselves," answered Caroline.

"Ahh. I see why Anita's now blushing." Marita kissed her girlfriend on the top of her head. "Hi, babe. Hold my drink while I attack Sami."

Anita laughed and accepted the cup, then took a swift sip of it. Sam snickered as Marita pounced on her, catching her in a grappling hug. "Hi, other babe."

"Uck. Don't even." Sam laughed, but hugged her right back. The two of them tumbled into my lap and I cracked up.

"Hi, Rosie." Marita grinned at me when she was three inches from my face. "Thanks for bringing my friend back to see me. She avoids me otherwise."

"I do not." Sam struggled against her, but Marita didn't let up until Sam made for her hair.

"Ack! Watch the hair." Marita huffed and puffed, but her everlasting grin made me laugh.

"Did you just call her 'other babe'? Marita." Anita scolded her and it made the rest of us laugh. "Rosie, you're getting a refund for today. This is ridiculous."

I cracked up along with everyone else as Marita wrangled Sam into a proper hug. She sat beside us and her affection for Sam continued with a series of pokes or hair strokes. To my surprise, Sam let her, though she never let go of my hand.

The time spent with this new group of people dismantled all the grief that I suffered over losing Anita. What I gained instead, was another group of women who shared a common thread. Knowing that Anita wouldn't disappear from my life completely, and understanding that Sam's connection to Marita mattered more than she let on, told me that we made the right decision. Without a doubt, I would miss having a confidant like Anita, but maybe moving on wasn't the worst thing. Maybe finding a new provider would offer a different perspective. For now, I was open to the idea.