“Yes.” Courtney’s expression turned grave. “It’s so awful that it was Novak who killed my grandmother.”
“I know. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize him in my vision that day. I’m supposed to be a medium, but I couldn’t see it was Novak?” Julia didn’t completely understand. “After what happened at college? Fake Matt Winger and all?”
“He was still in your blind spot.” Courtney snorted. “You definitely have a gift, you proved that now. I never would have looked under that bed. That was the key to everything.”
“So was Novak.”
“So you have a gift, but you’re only human.”
“And you don’t have a gift, but you knew Novak was a creep from day one.”
Courtney smiled. “Maybe that’s what girlfriends are for, to fill in your blind spot.”
“And maybe we all havesomeabilities, shall we say. They used to call it women’s intuition.”
“I call it genius.” Courtney smiled, and Julia smiled back, feeling her heart resonate.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Courtney gave her a big hug, and Julia hugged her back.
And over Courtney’s shoulder, Julia could see the faintest vision of herself and Courtney as much older women, sitting in the double rocker on the porch, the way Mona and Susan had been when they first pulled up, and the two of them were girlfriends who had shared a long life together, from first loves to last loves, through decades of jobs, illnesses, ups and downs, children, grandchildren, and everything else that had come their way. They’d weathered it together, without ever losing sight of each other, with a deep and unique love known only by the best of friends.
The single constant in every woman’s life.
Truly, forever.
73
Julia and Gianluca headed east toward Philadelphia, but he suggested they take a scenic route. She felt herself begin to relax as they left Buckley behind, and Leni sang tunelessly in her car seat. Julia felt blessed to be back with her family, after everything that had happened. She banished any flashbacks, and they put away their phones to stop checking the news.
The afternoon turned sunny, and her mood lightened. She found herself leaving thoughts of visions behind and enjoying the ride. In time she began to recognize the terrain, eyeing it through the window as they rolled past. “You know, I grew up not far from here.”
“I know.” Gianluca looked over with a grin. “Where do you think we’re going?”
“Wait, what? I thought you said Philly.”
“That’s tomorrow. I got us a room for the night in New Gilbert.”
“My hometown?” Julia asked, surprised. “Why?”
“Why not?” Gianluca shrugged happily. “This is the Julia Tour. Ithought you could show me where you grew up, lived, and went to school. You ended up in Philadelphia, but you didn’t start there.”
Julia smiled, touched. “For real?”
“Yes. I’m here to learn about your American side.”
“Don’t get too excited. New Gilbert is not Florence.”
“That goes without saying,cara.” Gianluca winked, and Julia gave him a playful shove.
“Okay, then, yes, if you want to learn about me, then let’s do this. My high school is just around the corner.”
“Tell me which way to turn. I want to see it.”
Julia warmed to the idea. “It’s where I met Courtney.”
“I know, in drama club.”
