Page 72 of Home Is Where You Are

“Yeah. I should probably head in to see them off,” I said, not wanting to leave this beautiful moment.

“Let’s head inside so you can say goodbye,” he suggested, and I reluctantly stood. I turned and offered Gentry my hand to help him off the ground, which he graciously took.

We both smiled at each other before we set off in the direction of the house.

On the walk back, our hands brushed each other’s a couple of times. After the second time, I took a chance and linked my fingers between his. Peeking over at him, a smile graced his lips before he gently squeezed my hand.

I felt lighter with each step. Like another small part of my heart had healed back at the tree.

We rounded the house, and found Aspen and Dylan loading their bags into the moving truck.

“Y’all heading out?” I asked as we made our way over to them.

“Yeah. We put all the boxes in your closet so they were out of the way,” Aspen said as she threw her bag in the back, and met me the rest of the way.

“You’re a godsend. Thank you,” I told her as I withheld tears.

“I’m going to miss you so much,” I said as I let go of Gentry’s hand and pulled her in for a hug.

“I’ll only be two hours away. And that’s what video calling is for. We’ll still talk all the time. Let me know when you make that therapist appointment. I want to know all about it. And of course, I want to hear all about you and Gentry falling back in love,” she whispered in my ear as she hugged me tight.

I laughed at her optimism.

“I’m not sure if that’ll happen, so don’t get your hopes up.”

“I’m a hopeless romantic. Sue me.”

That she was. Now she needed to focus on how hopelessly in love she was with the third half of our trio.

“Text me when y’all arrive in Sunset River, and please drive safe,” I said as I released her. Dylan walked over and I gave him a long hug goodbye.

“We will,” they both said in unison as they each gave me one last hug.

Aspen and Dylan both said goodbye to Gentry before they got into the truck.

Gentry and I walked over to the porch and up the steps, turning, I waved until my best friends disappeared from sight. I couldn’t take my eyes off the driveway; dust still hadn’t fully settled yet from the moving truck making its way down.

Taking a deep breath, anxiety filled me at the realization that I wouldn’t see them every day anymore. We were going our separate ways in life, but hopefully our friendship would stand the test of time.

“What’re you goin’ to do for the rest of the day?” Gentry asked, startling me out of my thoughts.

“Do you want to watch some movies? I kinda just want to veg out on the couch,” I suggested, hoping he’d take me up on my offer.

“That sounds good to me,” he agreed with a smile as he held out his hand to me.

I gladly accepted as we walked hand in hand into the house.

We spent the next few hours watching movies, cuddled together on the couch, taking breaks to make popcorn and make sandwiches.

The credits had just rolled on the last movie when I turned to find Gentry had fallen asleep. I turned and watched the rise and fall of his chest before I looked at his face. He looked so peaceful, that I didn’t have the heart to wake him.

I stood from the couch and stretched, my muscles needing it after sitting for so long.

I covered Gentry with a blanket, before I carried our plates and popcorn bowl into the kitchen.

As I walked into the kitchen, I found my dad sitting at the counter.

“Hi, Daddy,” I said as I walked over to the sink and quickly washed the few dishes we’d used.