AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And what are we packing?”
“Comfortable clothes. Something warm for the night. Sleeping bags. Not too much since it all has to fit in a tent.”
“A tent?”
I had to have misheard her, because if there was one thing I wasn’t, it was a girl who sleeps in tents. I feel like that’s something liked only by people who did it as kids, and Curtis and Louise Burns would never. Even with how far they had come, I knew they would never sleep in a tent. The thought was actually comical. What wasn’t comical was the thought of me having to sleep in one.
“Don’t act so surprised. I can be a nature girl sometimes.”
“Maybe you can, but I can’t.”
“I have a feeling that after tonight, you’ll change your mind.” Tori winked at me, and even though I wanted to fight her, I couldn’t. She was so beautiful that I would follow her anywhere—even into the woods apparently.
When we got back to the house, Tori instructed all of us to get ready as quickly as possible. By the time I had a bag packed for me and Emery, Tori had barely started on theirs, which wasn’t surprising. Since Emery and Bella were occupied with something on Bella’s iPad, I took the few minutes I had to go into my room and pull the box of notes from under my bed. I grabbed the first one I found, which just so happened to be from the last Thanksgiving I had with Willow.
11/28/2019
My Dearest Rosemary,
Happy Thanksgiving! I can’t believe this was the last one I’ll ever spend with you. We have so many great holiday memories that I hope you keep in your heart forever. My favorite memory from today was definitely Emery spitting up the mashed potatoes and stuffing you gave her. Sorry about how hard I laughed at your expense, but you have to admit that it was pretty damn funny.
I’m so so so thankful for you and Emery and this life the three of us have made together. I hate that I’ll be physically leaving you two next month, but don’t forget that I’ll always be with you.
Next Thanksgiving, don’t forget to laugh as much as we did today. Since I know you, I know you’ll feel guilty being happy without me, but please don’t let that stop you from living your life. I’ll always be with you, even when you can’t see me. When you laugh, you’re not laughing without me. I’ll be right there beside you, laughing along with you. Always.
I can’t wait to have the best month of our whole lives this next month. Let’s make memories that last you a lifetime.
I love you so much, Rosemary Stone. I will always love you. Don’t ever forget how thankful I am for you this day and always.
Forever yours,
Willow
I crushed the note to my chest and smiled. I was so lucky to have these letters from her. It was the perfect reminder that she was always with me, no matter what. I always seemed to pick the perfect one even when it was random. Willow’s words reminded me that just because I was happy didn’t mean I was losing her. I had no doubt she was here smiling with me right now.
I jumped when there was a light knock on my door. “Rosemary?” Tori called from the other side. “Are you almost ready?”
Even though I knew Tori wasn’t the type of person to barge into my room, I still panicked over the fact that I hadn’t locked the door. I pushed the box of notes under my bed and threw the one I was currently reading into the drawer on my nightstand, right underneath my favorite vibrator. I could take care of putting that back where it belonged later. Emery knew not to snoop in this drawer since I told her it had “boring grown-up things” so I didn’t have to worry about her pulling it out before I had the chance to hide it away.
“Coming!” I shouted, trying to keep my voice as level as possible.
I picked up the bag I had packed for me and Emery and pulled our sleeping bags out of my closet. When I swung my door open, there was a thud followed by a groan. I shut it to find Tori standing close to it, rubbing her head.
I reached out and put my hand on top of hers. “Oh my god. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were standing right there.”
Tori laughed. “Not your fault. That will teach me not to stand so close.” She brought my hand down to her lips and placed a kiss on my knuckles, then stared at me with those deep blue eyes. “Are you okay? You look flushed.”
“I’m good. I promise. I think I just feel a little overwhelmed about this whole camping thing.”
Tori’s smile dropped into a slight frown. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you hated it that much. I can scrap the whole idea if you want.”
“No!” I answered quickly as guilt coursed through my body. Not only had I lied to Tori about why I was overwhelmed, but now I had her second-guessing the date that she was clearly excited about. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer to me, relishing in the way her warmth encompassed me. “Sorry. I don’t hate the idea. I’m just flushed from trying to get ready and figure out what to pack since I’ve never done this before.”
“Don’t worry. I haven’t gone in forever, but I went to this exact campground a few times when I was little. I’ll show you the ropes.” Tori wrapped her arms around me as well and pulled our bodies even closer together.
Maybe a tent won’t be so bad if I get to be wrapped in these arms. “You’re full of surprises. I didn’t even know you owned a tent.”
“I actually don’t. They rent them out at this place, so I got us two.”
