Page 58 of Ring Me

The music began—fast-paced acoustic guitar, a throaty hum. Cynthia had a voice like someone who swallowed gravel for breakfast, though she looked young and angelic in her photos.“Sweet lime, warm sand, I'll be the marcher, you be the band...”

No good. Even happy music made me sob.

My bluetooth-connected phone started ringing on my dashboard, cutting the song off short. I saw it was Aubrey. Wiping my eyes, I sniffled and answered. “Hey, what's up?

“Oh, you ok? You sound like you've been crying.”

“Just listening to that Cynthia girl. Her music is... emotional.”

“Yeah it is. You getting yourself worked up for her show?”

“Huh?”

“She's playing at Summer Heat today. I think she goes on around 2, but I have to check the flier.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Dammit! The Gibraldi event, I totally forgot!”

“Haha, very funny.”

“I'm serious. I'm an hour out of the city, nearly to my granddad's farm. Ugh, I'm so sorry, I should really be there to make sure it goes well. Do you want me to turn around?”

“No, that's silly. I'll go in your place.”

My instant reaction was to wonder if she could handle it. Then I felt dreadful, because of course she could. Aubrey knew everything about the Gibraldi project—more than me, honestly, since I'd forgotten it was today. “That's a great idea,” I said earnestly. “Thank you. Please tell them I'm sorry I couldn't go, and call me or text me if you want my advice. It might take a bit for me to respond, the cell service at the farm is spotty.”

“It'll be smooth sailing,” she laughed.

That made me think about the riverboat date with Conner. Tightening my jaw, I breathed deep. “Thanks again for saving my ass, Aubrey.”

“That's what best friend's are for.”

I took another long breath, holding it for a second. “When I get back tonight, let's get together.”

“...Maya, are you sure you're okay?”

“No,” I laughed bitterly, new tears building in my eyes. I wiped them with my wrist. “I'm not okay. I'll tell you later, I have to go.” Crying and driving wasn't a good mix.

Twenty miles later and I was pulling my car up the sloping road to my Pappy's farm. The bright sun cast a glare on my windshield—I hit the brakes, squinting through the light.What's going on with the sun?I wondered, cutting my engine. I didn't remember things looking so...

“Oh no,” I whispered. It took me two tries to unlock my door and get out of the car, that's how shocked I was. I didn't believe my own eyes until I was crouching in front of the flattened stump in the grass.

The oak tree from my childhood was gone.

I ran my shaking hand over the wood-grain. The screen door jangled on the porch as it opened then shut. “It came down in the last storm,” Pappy said, holding the railing, watching me somberly. “It's been on the verge of falling for some time. It's a miracle it didn't land on the house.”

I gazed blankly around the huge front yard. “What happened to all of it?”

“Teddy Marshall, friend of mine. He came out with a few guys who cut it into chunks. I let them haul it off for firewood.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“Maya-bean, are you crying?”

“Am I?” I laughed, digging the heels of my palms into my eyes. “I guess I am. I'm sorry, I'm so happy your house didn't get smashed, really, I'm just... I can't believe it's gone.” My shoulders shook; I bent over the stump, trying to control my sobs. “I'm sorry, I'm freaking out and I don't know why, it's so stupid, sorry!”

“Stop apologizing.” His strong hands came down on my upper arms—I startled, staring up at him. Had he made it all the way down the steps by himself?

“Pappy, careful, you don't have your cane.”

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