I took the pen from behind my ear, crossed off bug spray from my packing list, and wrote it on the paper taped securely to the corresponding tote.
“Yeah,” I mused. “Coach didn’t appreciate it when we gift-wrapped every item in his office. Or when we staked his lawn with pink flamingos.”
I moved on to my monthly check-in about our family. “How’s everything going with the move? Should I come out and help?”
My sister had moved from a one-story ranch-style home into a two-story with enough bedrooms for her two kids to have their own space.
“There are boxes everywhere, but no, it’s under control.” She sighed as if she was gearing up for something. “You’ll come for Thanksgiving, though?”
I hated that she had to plan that far in advance, but based on my track record, she was making the right call. “I think I can get the time off, but if it would help, I could—”
“You’re not using us as an excuse to get out of your ‘life-changing experience.’”
“I thought you loved me,” I play-whined, but the truth was, I felt relief. After hours of research, I’d started to feel the tickle of anticipation. Hearing the excitementin Ren’s voice and seeing it on my sister’s face only piqued my interest, and I anticipated the trip more.
“I do love you, and speaking of love or any kind of connection, why don’t you tell me about your plans to date? Now, there’s a life-changing experience for you.”
I nearly spat out my iced tea. Of course, my sister would think I’d be going on some sort of singles vacation with the idea of finding my soulmate. It didn’t work like that for anyone but her.
Marley and Savannah met each other at a concert ten years ago. Their shared interest in music became a conversation about the books and movies they loved, and that turned into enjoying time with each other, which turned into them falling in love.
“We’ve talked about this. I’ll take up dating after I’ve settled into the new position. When there’s more time.”
“I don’t know what’s funnier, the idea that you’ll take up dating like it’s a hobby or the delusion that you’ll have more time when you’re a senior associate.”
“Why not? I’ll have more of a choice in clients. And remember, I took up bowling, and now”—I lifted my phone and gestured at the neatly packed pile of clothing, shoes, and toiletries with ata-daflare—“camping.”
She chuckled at me before she went in for the kill, which I appreciated. “Bowling only lasted a month, Jamie.”
“Not my fault my teammate moved to Ireland, and 2 Legit 2 Split couldn’t stay together.”
Marley predictably moved on. “And since when do you do wilderness? You’re more crisply ironed shirts and time-blockedschedules. Not really the flannel and hot dogs type.” She had me there. Of course, she did.
“I can still schedule my days if I want, and yes, you know me so well, but I’m turning over a new leaf. What do you think this is for?” I held up a dorky-looking floppy fishing hat that was covered in a mesh sort of netting.
Marley just shrugged at me, and I packed it up with the other maybe-I’ll-need-these items.
I held up a compass next. “Think I’ll need this?”
“HowMan vs. Wildis this trip anyway?”
I gulped, imagining an episode ofNaked and Afraid. “I have no idea.”
Thenextmorning,Iwoke up earlier than usual with an anxiousness I hadn’t felt since the moment I finished taking the bar exam. Stretched out after my morning workout and fueled by an expired protein bar, I checked emails over coffee.
My foot tapped as I waited for Ren to show up. He’d always been the life of the party since I’d known him. His high energy levels meant he never stopped moving. He reminded me of how I was in high school, though I’d never tell him that.
It felt like I hadn’t really stopped and just enjoyed anything in forever. After college, it was directly into law school. After graduating with top marks, I had several options and chose Clint and Margaret’s corporate practice because theirs was one of the most reputable firms in Seattle. After years of proving myself, I was ready to take the next step in my career.
Speaking of time, Ren was actually punctual for once. “Are you ready for your worst nightmare?” he asked through theintercom. I almost didn’t buzz him in. He could stand in my condo lobby forever for all I cared. “I have donuts.”
Dammit. I let him up. Well, at least he could help me cart the totes down.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Ren’s gaze bounced from tote to tote, then he pulled the checklist from my hand. “What’s all this?”
“Brittney loaned us her outdoor stove. She insisted on the tie-downs because you can’t rely on the weather. One thing led to another. And oh! Here’s the rain fly.” I was proud of myself for knowing some of the equipment our law clerk lent me. She had hiked the Pacific Crest Trail last year and had plenty of advice for our trip.
“No, no, no, none of that. They’ll have everything we’ll need.” He took the rain fly out of my hands and jammed it into an already full tote of outdoorsy supplies.
