"Lively!" Vicki announced with a sparkling laugh.<br/><br/>Fredrick hadn't lost the reassuring strength of his arms.  Their firm, warm hold had not evaporated with the years like their conversations had.  It had been Fredrick who was the first she had mentioned George to, at the time described as "some wild-haired ed major".  As Vicki's interest in "Mr. Wildhair" deepened, so shortened her time spent with Freddie, and soon her once close friend faded into the sea of research, wedding planning, job searching, and finally career climbing.<br/><br/>From the entry way, Vicki could hear Beth's delighted cooing.  Her concerns about whether George could entertain the woman dissipated, her usually tightly bound anxieties set aside as she gave her long-neglected friend a welcoming hug.<br/><br/>"And how's my Drop Dead Fred?"