Jamie packed her bags as quickly as she could. Only one racket would fit in her bag, so she chose carefully. She figured since it was the off-season, a control racket would keep her in shape while out of town. She hurled it into the bottom of the suitcase, along with a pile of clothes.

“You are going to drag me to Hicksville, right? I mean, I know you came from humble beginnings, but I’m a city girl. Look at these shoes! Do these look like Hicksville heels to you?” Marty gestured violently at her violet open toed heels. They had a small purple flower with a very real gem in the middle.

“No, Marty. You don’t have to come with. I’ll only be gone a week. Just long enough to make sure my family is okay,” Jamie paused and really took in Marty’s heels. “Those are really nice heels.” Jamie complimented.

“Oh good, because I got them for your birthday. I’ve been holding that secret in for a week now!” Marty giggled. That woman couldn’t hold in a secret for the life of her. Jamie snorted and shoved a few stray tennis balls into the bag.

“I will act as surprised as you need me to be.” Jamie laughed. “Anyway, just hold down the fort while I’m gone, and schedule meetings and such for the week after. I won’t be gone long.” Jamie finished seriously. Marty already knew what to do, but it felt like it still needed to be said.

Marty sat on Jamie’s bed, still clearly admiring her heels. That woman was made to look fabulous, Jamie thought. If only she could dress that nice and not have guys chasing her down the sidewalk at uncomfortable hours of the night. Marty had that way about her that told even drunk men to stay away. Marty was nice until she wasn’t. A fierce woman, and Jamie loved it.

“Just promise me you won’t come back wearing cowboy hats, okay? The only time a cowboy hat is acceptable is in an ironic way,” Marty batted away a stray blonde hair from her face. Jamie only laughed again.

“My brothers are not going to want to hear that!” Jamie giggled. Marty considered for a moment, and put her hand on her chin the way she did whenever she was thinking of something good.

“Men are kind of hot in a cowboy hat. You know, shirtless and stuff? Are your brothers hot? If I came to Hicksville, would you introduce me to your hot, cowboy brothers?” Marty was clearing messing around, but Jamie had to shut that idea down before it got rooted into her head for good.

“The only cowboy brother is gay, so I don’t think you’ll have much luck in that department.” Jamie executed that blow flawlessly. Or at least, she thought she did.

“Hot, gay, cowboy brother? Oh, damn it all! Now I’ve got to meet him!” Marty shrieked excitedly. Jamie shook her head in mock defeat. What would she do without this magnificent woman in her life?

Jamie collected her stuff off the bed and rolled it toward the front door. She’d be lucky if the suitcase didn’t burst at the seams before she made it to the airport. Jamie checked her make-up in the mirror, and did a mental checklist. Medicine? Check. Make-up? Check. Tennis gear? Check. Clothes that would most definitely upset the natural conservative balance? Check.

“If you decide to stay longer, call me right away and I’ll be there.” Marty told her as they hugged their goodbye’s. “I will definitely meet your hot, gay, cowboy brother one of these days.” She told me with a determined look in her eye.

I smiled and took my old suitcase out the door. Her nonsense would be the death of me.