Veronica does Hawthorne Part 1

Veronica met Cece at a greasy taqueria where Hawthorne nearly dropped off.
The evening was surprisingly warm and apparently everyone had shared Veronica's keen idea and the line to order wrapped along the side walk.

The pair gabbed over pleasantries and civilities and waited until their food was served before sharing their less than lovely stories.
Recounting all of her tale Veronica halted having run out of words to speak.
Cece, ill equipped but ever loving simply replied, That's hard.  I'm sorry.

Veronica continued pontificating with the usual diatribes of things working out for the best and the morality of what is right and having exhausted herself of all strength to appear composed simply uttered, I'm sad.
They each sat in silence as only the closest friendships can comfortably and understandingly do.
Let's go somewhere else, Veronica broke the reverie.  Somewhere with big cocktails.
I want to smoke, Cece said.  No.  I don't want to smoke.  Besides I'd have to first find a place to buy the cigarettes so no.  Never mind.
Veronica having known Cece long enough to know well enough, lovingly asked, Am I supposed to help you get cigarettes or not help you get cigarettes?
Both, Cece answered honestly.
Come on, let's go to Saphire, Veronica said.
I love that place, Cece agreed and with that one addiction was put on hold.

The bar was overly crowded and their usual quiet intimacy was replaced with the loud humming of a Saturday night.  They both stood there contemplating their next move.  An empty table in the corner to the left of them shone a possible haven of escape.  But then Veronica's eyes landed on the face of one of the parties sitting at the next table.  She sighed a groan of discontent.  In no mood for feigned formalities Veronica opted to avoid the girl whose company she never enjoyed and turned to her companion.
Let's go get you some cigarettes, Veronica decided to which Cece, relieved ,turned abruptly towards the door.
One of us should get our fix for the night, Veronica concluded.

As the blocks passed behind them they approached the mart of possibility.
I'll wait out here with the baby, Veronica said patting the champagne bottle in her arms wrapped under Cece's shawl.
Her friend went inside and Veronica breathed in the evening air.

Then suddenly she took in a quick breath of surprise.  Music emanating from her phone signaled her addiction had found her once again.  And the elation she felt as she reached for her phone must be akin to that long awaited puff her friend was soon to take from her cigarettes.

Reading his words her heart leapt with relief.

Cece returned with her new found treasure and they began walking down the street they'd only just departed.  She lit up and took a drag and exhaled a heavy sigh of relief.  Veronica unable to ever keep her secrets sighed her own relief.
What? her friend asked.
He texted me, Veronica confided.  But I'm not texting him back, she quickly finished the thought.
Cece took a long drag eyeing Veronica through skeptical eyes.
Veronica relented.  But I really want to.
What would be the point? Cece posed bluntly.  What good could come of it?
Well, Veronica started, It could ease my withdrawal.  Soften the ache.  Twenty-three hours and counting.  'Tis the longest detox of my life.
Cece said nothing but kind of tilted her head and shrugged her shoulders.
Veronica nearly gave in and took another hit.
But she refrained and instead basked in the second hand smoke dancing around her and Cece.

Some habits die hard.
And some sadly will never die at all.