“Who needs sleep when you’re going to Tahiti?” Maileah hopped down and hugged her. “Congrats again on your crowdfunding campaign. You’re on your way.”
April and Junie arrived together. April had brought pastries and coffees from the bakery near the Majestic.
They gathered near the truck in the cool morning air, passing around pastries and coffee while Sailor and Adrian loaded the last of his gear onto the ferry. Sailor was wearing board shorts and a faded competition jersey, already in his element even though the waves were an ocean away.
“What do your travels look like for the summer?” April asked as she offered Sailor a pastry. “Maileah tells me, but I can hardly keep them straight.”
“Teahupo’o first,” Sailor said, accepting a pastry from her. “Then Cloudbreak in Fiji. After that, Lower Trestles in September.”
“And then the big one,” Adrian said.
Sailor hugged his father. “I’ll call you after every heat.”
The ferry horn bleated its departure warning.
Maileah hugged everyone, and then Junie held her sister and whispered something Jo couldn’t hear.
Jo hugged Maileah last. “Take care of each other out there.”
“Always.” Maileah smiled, looking excited. “I’m so happy for you. I’ll still be watching the campaign.”
After Sailor and Maileah boarded, Jo and the others waved from the dock.
The horn sounded again as the ferry pulled away from the dock, its engines churning white water.
Jo watched the gap between the ferry and the shore widen. She was about to turn away when she saw him.
Blue.
He was on the other side of the ferry with a small carry-on bag over his shoulder. Standing near the stern railing, he was some distance from Sailor and Maileah. He must have boarded early, before any of them arrived.
They saw each other across the widening water. Blue lifted his hand in a slow wave.
Jo pressed her hand against her chest and blinked back tears. She managed a small wave back.
The ferry pulled farther out, and Blue’s figure grew smaller. The morning sun flashed on the wake, turning it gold. Jo watched until the boat was gone, carrying the man she loved and the friends she’d miss toward different destinations.
“And they’re off,” Junie said, turning away from the ferry.
“I should get to the diner,” Jo said, trying to steady her voice. “Want to walk back together?”
“Sure.” Junie touched her shoulder. “I saw Blue as the ferry took off. Are you okay?”
“We each have our own life now,” Jo replied with a shrug. What else was there to say?
“I didn’t know he was going today,” Junie said.
“I guess he planned it that way, so he wouldn’t have to tell me goodbye.”
They walked until the diner came into view at the corner of Orange Avenue and Summer Street.
“I have some good news,” Junie said, her face lighting with a smile. “Knox and I are planning the wedding.”
Jo hugged her. “I’m glad, and I’m so happy for you.”
“We’d like a small ceremony, maybe even on the beach. Penny wants to be the flower girl. Maileah will stand up for me, but I still want you there.”
“Of course I’ll be there,” Jo said, holding her hand. “Do you know when it will be?”
