Rachel laughed. “I doubt it. But you’re braver than me. It took me months to speak to my crush.”
I ventured a glance at her. “How did it work out for you?”
“We’re still together. He’s at UGA, so I only get to see him about twice a month, which sucks, but we’re making the distance thing work.” She winked at me. “You should totally go for it, with Flynn. You two have chemistry. I think you could go the distance.”
Thinking of her words now, as I stared at my phone, a deep sadness welled inside me. Everyone thought that Flynn and I would be together forever. But when it came down to hard choices, we’d both let each other down.
Which brought me back to Alex and canceling our plans for tonight. I texted my friend, fingers flying over the keys as I lapsed back into our old shorthand.
Did you hear?
His reply was swift.Yeah, was just about to call you. I can’t believe it.
Me neither. Obviously tonight is off.
Of course. I’m sorry, Ali.
Yeah.I paused, not sure of what to say next.He’s back, you know. In town.
Alex, who’d kept my secret so loyally, didn’t need to ask who I meant.
Are you going to see him?
Not if I can help it.
I could practically hear the sigh that accompanied his next words.
Ali, think about it. Maybe it’s time.
I gritted my teeth. Alex and Meghan were both singing the same song, even if I didn’t want to listen.
Don’t say anything. Please, Alex.
There was a long break before his next reply.
You know I won’t. But you should.
“HONEY, IT’S TIME TO go.”
I jerked my eyes open. For a moment, I was confused; the living room hadn’t really changed in the past ten years, other than the new sofa, upon which I was sprawled. But for a split second, I was lost, unsure about where I was. When it all flooded back over me, the pain was crushing.
I was back in Burton. I’d been here for five days, because my father was dead.
My mother stood in front of me in her dark green dress and shiny black heels, deep shadows under her eyes. One thin white hand clutched her small purse as she spoke.
“Flynn, the girls are ready. We need to leave.”
I pushed myself up to sit straight, rubbing one hand over my face. “Sorry. I guess I dozed off.”
Mom reached out to brush my hair away from my eyes, a gesture so familiar that my heart clenched. “None of us have been sleeping very well. It’s bound to catch up with us sooner or later.”
“Yeah.” I cleared my throat and stood. “Okay. Let’s go.”And get it over with,I wanted to add, but of course I didn’t. It might’ve been true, but it wasn’t what a son should be thinking before his father’s funeral.
The reality was, I couldn’t wait for this day to be done, yet at the same time, I dreaded it being over. I was tired of forcing the smiles, the small talk and the polite responses to expressions of sympathy. After today, I could hide. Or run away. Yeah, running away sounded good.
On the other hand, once today’s service was behind us, it meant my family—or what was left of it—would have to figure out how to get on with the rest of our lives.
Maureen stood in front of the mirror in the front hall, her chin down on her chest as she struggled to force her curly black hair into an elastic band.
