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“Well, he was. It was the scariest moment of my life, and I’ve had a couple of near-death experiences in the last year.”
America was deep in thought. “Do you think it has to do with Benny? What if he agreed to take him up on his offer to help?”
I stopped. “You could be right. Let’s get back. I want to call around and double check his story that he’s in California and not Vegas right now.”
We went back to the apartment, but both stopped short when we saw an unfamiliar black SUV parked in Travis’s usual spot.
“Jesse, what the fuck?” America said, letting go of my hand to approach him.
He held up his hands. “It’s not what you think, I swear.”
I frowned. The smug expression on his face the last time he visited us was replaced by sadness. “What is it, then? Is it about Travis?”
He shook his head. “It’s … it’s your mom, Abby.” He looked down and sighed. “Bonnie’s gone.”
I stared at him, trying to process the words.
“Gone? You mean missing?” I asked.
Jesse shook his head. “She passed away, Abby, I’m sorry.”
“What?” America shrieked. “Are you sure? How do you know?”
“We’ve been over this. Benny. I had to tell you. I don’t even know if you want to go back, but I already got you and Mare flights to Vegas.”
“She’s in Vegas?” I asked.
He shrugged and nodded. “She has been for a while. The flight leaves in two hours. I’m so sorry, Abby, I really am.”
America covered her mouth and wrapped her arms around me. “Abby!”
Most people would cry in that situation, break down and sob, but all I felt was numb. “I guess ... I guess I should ask Cami and Trent if they can watch Toto.”
“I’m going with you. I’m going, Abby, and I don’t want to hear a word about it.” She dialed someone’s number and held her cell to her ear. After a minute she growled. “Travis didn’t answer. I’m texting Shepley. We’re going.”
“You can’t miss class, Mare, and your parents won’t let you.”
“I don’t care! You just lost your mom! I’m fucking going! Come on, I’ll help you pack.”
I stared at the suitcase as America filled it up with undergarments, clothes and toiletries. She paused in front of my closet, grabbed two dresses and held them up. “They’re the only black ones you have that aren’t … clubby.”
I walked over to her and touched the fabric. When I bought them, it was for job interviews. I had no idea I’d be wearing one of them to my mother’s funeral. I took the one on the left, it had a higher neckline, and the fabric would be better able to breathe in the desert heat.
“Good choice,” America said, choosing a pair of black pumps.
After what seemed to be a short internal check list was completed, America zipped my suitcase and rolled it to the doorway. “Get your charger and purse. Make sure your ID is in it.”
“Oh, right,” I said, going over to the dresser. I confirmed I had what I needed.
America was typing on her phone. “Leave the key under the mat. Trent will pick up Toto after work and bring him to their place. He’s going to keep trying to get ahold of Travis.” She looked up. “And Trent wants you to call when you can. He feels terrible for you.”
Jesse loaded my luggage into his back seat, setting my roller bag on its side knowing he’d need more space for America’s belongings.
At her dorm, I sat in the SUV while Jesse helped America load her bags into the back, and then she climbed into the captain’s chair behind me.
“I’m surprised how fast you got all of that packed,” he said.
“I can be efficient when I need to be,” she said, buckling in.
