I walk into the park where I am supposed to be meeting my best friend. I take my phone out of my back pocket and look to see if there are any messages from him. I see the message that says running five minutes late. I look up at the clouds while I wait and think they’re beautiful, so many shapes. Five minutes later, I hear the nickname my best friend gave me being yelled “monkey” and look up to see my best friend Jake walking up with a giant picnic basket in his hand. He opens the picnic basket, pulls out a red blanket with hearts all over it and spreads it on the ground. We sit down and he continues to pull other things out, four ham sandwiches with cheese, six bags of chips, three bags of my favorite candy, a bottle of chartreuse, and two wine glasses. He hands me one of the sandwiches, a bag of chips and pours a glass of chartreuse for me. After he pours his, he looks at me and remarks with a proud tone “congratulations on your promotion to general manager, you earned it!” We clink our glasses to that. We eat our food and catch up.

J: How are your parents and younger sister?

Me: My indulgent parents give my sister everything she wants. She is currently failing all her college classes and they decide to buy her a new car.

J: I don’t understand how buying a new car helps with her grades.

Me: I don’t either. When I told my parents I got a promotion all I got from them was a smile. Our relationship has changed.

J: I am sorry about that.

Me: Thanks.

J: I’m glad we’re best friends.

Me: I’m glad too.