Tracey’s face dropped. “Go out?”
Caroline’s eyes lit up. “Go. Out. He would definitely want us to go out.”
“I hope I don’t die any time soon. You’ll probably go to Disneyland or something.”
“Ooooh, can I? I’ll bring your ashes on Space Mountain!” Caroline beamed while Tracey’s face filled with horror.
“Okay, really. Stop. How can you laugh and make jokes right now? You’re freaking me out.”
“I’m just playing, Tray. Sorry.” Caroline wondered if she laughed and made jokes so she wouldn’t fall apart.
“Care?” Caroline’s nickname sounded in her ears and broke her current train of thought. “I don’t want to go out tonight, okay?” Tracey asked. “I mean, I want to go out—just not tonight.”
Caroline smiled in slight relief. “We’ll go out tomorrow,” she said softly.
Once the girls were safe and sound back in Tracey’s apartment, Caroline turned on the television and heard the sound of soft snores coming from the oversized chair. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Clay’s number.
“Hi, babe. Yeah, it was awful and wonderful. Oh my gosh, yes. So freaking sad. She was a mess. She said to tell you hi. I know. I’m exhausted. Okay. I love you, too. ’Night.” Caroline hung up and relaxed her head against the back of the couch.
The rest of the weekend felt like a tall glass of gloom mixed with a shot or two of bliss. Everywhere the girls went brought back memories of college and times spent with Johnny.
“I had no idea that crying could be this exhausting,” Caroline admitted, unwilling to move from the couch.
Tracey glanced at her through bloodshot eyes. “Tell me about it.”
“I don’t want to go back home tomorrow.”
“I know. I hate that you’re leaving. I miss you so much.”
“I miss you too. You have to come visit soon, okay?”
Tracey peered back toward her.
“Pleeeeease,” Caroline begged.
Tracey let out a fatigued laugh. “I will.”
Chapter Three
Caroline’s alarm didn’t go off when it was supposed to. When she finally opened her eyes and saw the time, she yelled, “Tray! Get up! Crap, I’m going to miss my flight!” Caroline jumped out of bed, did a super-quick makeup job and threw on a semi-cute top with her jeans. It was five in the morning and she could only care so much about stuff like this while she was still half asleep.
“Tray!!! Come on…UP!” She ran over to her sleeping best friend and shook her.
“I’m up,” Tracey responded without opening her eyes. “All I have to do is drive you. You’re the one who has to get ready.”
“I am ready! Come on.”
The last thing Caroline wanted was to miss her cross-country flight. The girls drove the short distance to the airport and barely spoke two words. Caroline was both emotionally and physically exhausted, and she knew that Tracey was too. When they arrived at the unloading zone, Caroline gave Tracey a hug, told her she loved her, and quickly rushed to the airport counter to check in her bag.
The middle-aged ticket agent moved far slower than Caroline would have liked and it took everything she had
not to show her impatience. She shifted her weight, looked at the clock on her cell phone constantly, and breathed uncomfortable sighs. The woman at the counter knew Caroline’s plane left soon, yet nothing sped up her process.
Caroline couldn’t stand it any more. “I don’t mean to be rude, but my flight is leaving soon and I still have to get through security. I really can’t miss it.”
The woman stopped instantly, forced a smile and cocked her head to one side. “Dear, we have flights that run all day long. If you miss this one, we’ll get you on another.”
Caroline fumed. Why did this woman think her time was so invaluable, because she was young? She wanted to reach over the counter, grab the lady by her dark blue vest, and violently shake her. But she knew that was probably a bad idea.