Houston, We Have A Problem
an excerpt

"Houston, we have a problem."

I said the words out loud, then turned the white v -neck shirt around and read the rest:

"Her name is Jenneane, and now she's YOUR problem!"

"Nicole, you're a genius!" I exclaimed. "I love it! Oh, man - Jenneane is going to die when she reads this. I can't wait!"

Nicole and Mieke pointed to the small print underneath the larger writing on the back. "Did you read that? That makes it like a tour shirt. That's the part I like," Mieke said, as Nicole nodded.

"Jenneane's Farewell Tour: Las Vegas, NV - May 18-21," she said. "One more week and we'll all be in Vegas, ladies."

Nicole put away the rest of the shirts, while Mieke and I stealthily hid our shirts in our bags. Jenneane worked at the school where we had all gathered, and she could walk by unexpectedly, though the chances were slim.

Mieke hoisted her bag on her shoulder, and started to walk out the front door of the school with Nicole. "We'll see you later, Andrea," Mieke smiled, and Nicole chimed in, "Yes, see you later, Mrs."

"Bye, guys," I said, and they left together, leaving me at the front desk of the school where I was filling in for a sick receptionist. I shook my head. In one week, ten of us were leaving for Las Vegas as a sort-of last fling for one of our own who was moving to Houston with her husband. I couldn't picture our group without Jenneane; she was the laid-back, fun-loving glue that held us together.

She drove us all crazy.