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We’ve laughed over shared memories, parsed apart family dramas, traded opinions about Wayland, Cambridge, and Pines Peak.
But we haven’t ventured into ‘future’ territory. Gemma’s always been focused on the future. I know that one day soon, it’s going to come up.
This vacation of hers won’t last forever.
But I wish it would.
“Parker?” She has her knees tucked up, and she looks at me from over the bare bumps.
“Yeah?”
“I really needed this. I want you to know that. I was on a one-way train to burn-out city. I can see that now. This week with you is saving me.”
‘This week.’That sounds temporary.
Is it only this week? When is she planning on leaving? What will happen when she does?
“I’m happy.” She leans her head on my shoulder.
I wrap my arm around her, and rub her upper arm. “Good.”
“Also, I asked Carly not to tell your dad that you’re at the cabin, but she wants you to call her. Since you’re an expert with that phone of yours now, you should. She says she’s been trying to get in touch with you, but you’re not answering.”
I chuckle. “That’s ‘cause I’m expert enough to know how to master it, not let it master me.”
“She wants to know what’s going on with us.”
“What’d you tell her?”
“I said we’re having a really good time. She keeps threatening to drive up and talk some sense into me.”
“Do you think you need some sense talked into you?”
She falls silent.
I know Gemma, how those gears in her overactive mind are turning double-time right about now. Making connections and leaps that a guy like me can’t fathom, and could never replicate.
She swivels so she’s facing me. “I think…. I think I never found my ring.”
“Ha. Okay, help me get there with you. I’m not catching how that relates.”
She reaches out to play with the zipper on the hip pocket of my sweatpants. As her fingertips worry the slider, she frowns. “I can talk to you about a lot of things, but I can’t talk to you about that ring. Not right now.”
Man, I really wish she found her ring. It’s still missing, and that bums me out.
Randy looked for it. Gemma did, too. I went up there on my own a couple times, plus with Gemma a couple days ago. Even though we all searched carefully, none of us spotted the silver chain or silver ring.
I guess the thing has sentimental value to her. I don't really get why, or what kind of meaning she’s attached to it, exactly. But I do know that when she talks about it, she gets a worried, sad look, like she has now.
I want to understand.
Not just about the ring. I want to understand how Gemma’s mind’s working, when it comes tous.
I want to understand, because maybe if I do, I’ll be able to fight for her in a way that will actually work.
With a woman as complicated and deep as Gemma, there will be a fight.
It’ll be a fight against the part of her that wants to pull away from me.
