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Me:You’re never going to believe what I’m about to do. It’s late and you have a big day tomorrow. I’ll call you soon with all the details.
I didn’t hear much from Elliot on Saturday—just a quick text saying he couldn’t wait to hear my news, that he was about to go meet with the label, and we’d share news together later that night. But the phone call never came. I didn’t blame him, and I didn’t press the matter, instead I busied myself with packing up his Jeep, making sure everything was ready for the next morning.
The contract I had signed sat on the kitchen island, all put together nicely in a manila folder, signed and ready to go. It was simple. Two paintings being bought by him from me, to be sold by him, and one painting for the next festival in February. I decided to skip out on the spring arts fest, knowing I was still way out of my league with that one, but with the knowledge that one day I’d get there.
I had dinner with my family, another snowball fight with the nephews, and then curled up in my bed all alone, wishing that Elliotwas with me. My phone dinged on the nightstand, and still wide awake, I reached over for it.
It was a text.
Elliot:Bennett wants to play Pilgrim, Marsh Land, Cosmic, and Jamie at the show on Monday for the label. They wanted three – but he thinks we can sneak in the other.
Swiping out of the text, I pulled up Spotify, clicking on Savaged Whittakers photo that had landed a permanent spot on my home screen, I choseCosmic,smiling when I already knew the words to the song.
Me:Definitely Cosmic, it’s my favorite.
Elliot:I miss Park City.
Me:Park City misses you. You’ll come back next year.
Elliot:Maybe before that if Pete wants us to play again. Apparently we were a hit.
Me:Oh you were. It’s late. You need to sleep – tomorrow’s prep day right?
Elliot:Yup… and you’re driving?
Me:All day.
Elliot:Be safe, and tell me the moment you get back into Portland.
Me:I will.
Elliot:Sleep well, Jamie. See you soon.
Me:Goodnight Dax.
Elliot:Well now…
I chuckled, locking my phone down and sticking it back on the charger on the nightstand before rolling over to the empty side of the bed, wishing Elliot was there next to me.
Everyone packed up their cars and said their goodbyes, while mom cried harder than anyone. We locked up the cabins, placing the keys in the lock boxes. I couldn’t help running my hand on the balcony railing one last time, taking in the mountain scenery before climbing into Elliot’s Jeep. He was fancy with a MagSafe car mount, which I instantly stuck my phone on.
I chuckled as I looked at my iPhone, remembering the second night we were here.
“You have an iPhone!”
“I do.”
“So do I!”
“Amazing.”
I waved to Jillian as she and her family drove off, with Holden and Carrie following them. Harrison waved me in front of him, so I put the Jeep in drive and off I went, beginning the twelve-hour journey, alone.
Surprisingly, it went well. I listened to music, Savaged Whittakers mostly, and chose an audiobook to enjoy in-between other albums. I ate at crappy fast food joints, loving the grease and sodas I didn’t normally enjoy and when I was stopped, I texted Elliot.
I sent him mostly selfies. I took a photo of myself in front of the Idaho sign, giving him a goofy grin. I took a photo of Boise, telling him I was stopping at Walmart for some snacks, and then I took a photo of the Welcome to Oregon sign off of I-84, with the caption:Missed these mountains!
Elliot:Make sure you eat something decent, stay away from McDonalds.
