I have thought about leaving Pennsylvania. I even made a pros and cons list. Something Sarah taught me how to do whenever I was having a rough time deciding.
“I wish I could,” I say to her, which is what I always tell her. She knows it’s hard for me.
Not only is my job here, which I worked very hard for, but my my family is here.
“I know. Maybe someday,” she says. “Well, I need to go,. We are going to the nature center tonight for a lesson on hawks.”
“Fuuuuuuuun. Nerd,” I laugh.
“Love you, too.”
“Love you, bye.”
“Bye.”
I click my phone off and toss it onto the bed.
I am one of four siblings. The youngest is a senior in high school, graduating in a couple of months, and I can’t imagine missing it. He’s the boy my parents never thought they would have, after three girls, and they spoil him rotten.
After I graduated, I realized how important it was for me to keep my relationships with my siblings. I didn’t want to be the one who left as soon as she turned eighteen.
I have been there for each of them, through the hardest times and the happiest. They call me before they go to Mom. So, the thought of leaving them permanently makes me anxious and sad.
“Chrissy,overhere,”Sarahyells.
I hear her before I see her arm waving for me in the middle of the airport. I run to her. As we collide, laughter and tears spill from our faces. I’ve missed her. She grabs my shoulders and looks up at me, her eyes glistening with tears.
“I’m so glad you are here. I don’t think I would have been able to survive my madness without you.”
“Don’t worry, friend. You can give it to me. I’ll handle it.”
We hug again, then grab my luggage.
After a quick bite, we head to her home in Columbus Falls. Such a quaint little town. The old buildings that line the street make it feel authentic. The town doesn’t even have a stop light!
“So, tomorrow. The dress fitting is at 10:00, and then our nail appointment is at 1:00. I figured that would give us enough time to grab lunch in between and then be home in time for dinner.”
“You tell me where and when to be. I am at your beck and call.”
Sarah laughs. “Not even going to lie, I am totally taking advantage of that.”
“This weekend is all about you, my friend.”
We pull up into the driveway along the side of the house and I see the head of the friendliest llama. He’s seriously the cutest. Last time I was here, Sarah warned me that he would probably spit at me. But I walked right up to him, scratched his head and he took a step into me and rested his head on top of mine. I’m going to go hug him later.
Once Sarah shows me to the spare bedroom, I unpack my stuff and lay on the bed. The time difference is already messing with me.
A soft knock on the door has me sitting up. The door opens, and Sarah is there with a small gift.
“I got you a little something,” she says, as she sits next to me.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I tell her. “But I’ll never say no to a present.”
I bump my shoulder into hers. She hands me the small box, and I pull the lid off. Inside is a silver cuff bracelet. Picking it up, I notice each end has one half of yin and yang symbols. Then I notice the writing on the inside.
Today my maid of honor, forever my best friend.
A couple of lone tears run down my cheek as I slide the bracelet onto my wrist. I look up at her, and she’s also crying.