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ChapterSeven
“Have you got your license?”
Andrea looked over at her sister, who was staring at her pointedly.
“Yes, I do. It never leaves my purse.” She opened the flap of her slim MK purse to reveal her license in one of the pockets in the lining.
“Good,” Cora replied with a smile.
“Good,” she repeated with a smile of her own. Opening the door, she stepped out of the car before closing it.
“I’ll see you back at home. I have a few things to take care of in town,” Cora said as she peered through the window at her.
“Bye, Sis.”
Cora pulled out of the gas station, and Andrea watched the SUV make its way down the street until it disappeared. She turned and drove toward Mr. Gourdie, who was perched on a stool on the outside of the garage, watching her approach.
“Hi, Mr. Gourdie. Thank you so much for working so quickly on my Jeep,” she said.
“It wasn’t that much trouble,” he informed her as he slid off the stool to stand before her.
“How much do I owe you for this?” Andrea opened her purse, getting ready to take out the number of bills needed to pay for the new tire and labor that was put into her Jeep.
“That’ll be one hundred and fifty dollars.”
Andrea took the bills from her purse and handed them to the gentleman.
A voice rang out in the distance. “Drea, is that you?”
Andrea turned to see a woman that looked to be about her age looking at her in surprise. She looked vaguely familiar, but Andrea couldn’t be sure how she knew her. Her brown ombre shoulder-length hair was swept away from her oval face, which was sporting a huge grin.
The closer she got to Andrea, the more recognizable she became.
“Shelby,” Andrea greeted the woman who was now only a few inches from her. She was relieved that she’d recognized her in time as she couldn’t bear the awkwardness of having to ask the woman to remind her who she was.
As soon as Shelby was close enough, the two embraced like two long-lost friends who had finally gotten the opportunity to reunite.
“It’s so good to see you, Drea,” Shelby spoke cheerily as they pulled apart.
“It has been too long,” Andrea responded.
Shelby Dawson had been one of her good friends in high school.
“I heard you had been back for your father’s funeral. I’m really sorry about what happened, Drea. How are you coping?” Shelby gave her a sympathetic look.
“It’s okay. We’re getting through it,” she replied with a small smile of reassurance to her old friend.
“So, how long are you staying? Or are you heading out?” Shelby enquired.
“I’m not. I’m staying here for a while,” she informed Shelby. “I just came to pick up my Jeep— the tire blew out, and I didn’t have a spare,” she explained.
“Oh, that’s great. That means we can spend some time catching up,” Shelby expressed excitedly. “There’s so much I want to tell you.”
Andrea cracked a smile at the woman’s enthusiasm. It should have been an awkward meeting with them not seeing each other for nearly a quarter of a century. Yet, here was her old friend wanting them to spend time together.
“I can’t wait to tell Randy that you’re back.”
“You mean Randy Barrett? He’s still here in Oak Harbor?”
