Page 178 of Key West Homecoming

“Thanks, Frank.”

When she returned to her office, Marcy was at her desk.

Emma looked at the plant one more time.

“You know that plant has been yours for six years. You just didn’t know it.”

Marcy laughed.

“Take your plant and get out of here.”

Priya got a babysitter Saturday night and arrived at Emma’s apartment with a bottle of wine.

She stayed until almost midnight.

Emma had spent most of the day sorting through closets and making piles. Ship. Donate. Keep for now.

The apartment looked worse than when she started.

“I’m only taking a few things back this time,” Emma said. “I’ll have to come back and finish everything.”

“You know I’ll help.”

“I know.”

Priya looked around the living room. “What are best friends for if not helping you pack up your entire life so you can leave me forever?”

Emma knew she was only half joking.

“I’m not leaving you forever.”

“You’re moving twelve hundred miles away.”

“Geography doesn’t get that much power. I’ll come back here. You’ll come to Key West. You’re going to be in my life when we’re ninety and complaining about something neither of us understands.”

Priya smiled. “Good answer.”

They ordered Indian food from Priya’s favorite restaurant and ate on the floor because Emma had covered the dining table with boxes.

They talked about work, Priya’s family and whether Emma should keep a chair she had never liked simply because it had cost too much.

Before Priya left, she set her wineglass down.

“I want to ask you something.”

“That sounds ominous.”

“I’m serious.”

Emma waited.

“Are you moving toward something or away from something?”

A month earlier, Emma might have needed time to answer, but not now.

“Toward.”

“You’re sure?”