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A leap, like my father said.
I reach out for my dad’s shaky hand and squeeze it. “Yeah. I’m going to do it.”
A smile spreads across his lips, and fine wrinkles cascade out from his clear, blue eyes.
“Good for you. You can drop me off at the diner on your way to the airport. I’ll let everyone know you won’t be joining us. You’ve got a woman to talk to.”
“Yeah, for better or worse.”
“I’ll say a prayer for you, that it’s for the better. Your mother will be happy for you. She’s talked my ear off about grandchildren. The more the better, according to her.”
I laugh, feeling jittery. A sense of excitement skitters through my nervous system, making it hard to sit still. When I get to my feet, I offer my dad a hand. His cane is leaning against the bench. I wait until he’s steady on his feet, then hand it to him. “Hey, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
He laughs along with me. “Well, never hurts to hope. Maybe your mother’s not the only one talking about the next Landry generation. I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing a few one of these days.”
I help him into my car. Ten minutes later, I double park in front of the diner.
It’s 8:45 now, and there’s a sopping wet sandwich board out front, announcing the event. The diner’s interior is lit up, a warm yellow. I catch sight of Roxie inside, carrying a pot of coffee toward a booth. Maddison’s grandfather is behind the counter, and it looks like every bar stool up there is full.
The booths look full, too.
I get out to open my dad’s door.
Rain falls around us, heavier now. Big drops splatter down on the sidewalk and drip off the diner’s striped awning. I lead him to the door, catching my mother’s eye as soon as I spot her.
“I’ll explain everything to her,” my dad promises. “You, go.”
I backtrack, wading through a puddle to get to my car. My sneakers are soaked. It doesn’t matter.
My thoughts race as I turn the wipers up.
Should I call her, to tell her I’m on my way? Or—should I just show up?
What will she say when I tell her how much I love her?
I flip my blinker on and check behind me. The road’s clear. I pull out, headed east toward the highway.
But the sight of a figure, walking at a fast clip on the sidewalk, makes me tap the brakes. I peer out through the curtain of rain.
Is that?—?
It can’t be.
She’s supposed to be on a plane right now.
I roll down the window, because the glass is covered in a fine layer of breathy mist. Raindrops splatter against my car’s interior, and I can see clearer now.
I was right. Maddison is walking down the sidewalk, heading for the diner.
My heart leaps in my chest, somersaulting on its way back to place. I park in a rush and step out into the downpour.
“Maddie!” I shout.
Chapter 29
Maddison
I just heard my name.
