Page 124 of The Comeback Summer

“I think that’s a good idea,” he says.

Josh stands, dusting off his pants, then grabs my hand to tug me upright. He immediately pulls me into a hug, the perfect Josh hug, the kind I dreamt about during our years apart. I close my eyes and memorize the feeling of his arms around me, his cheek pressed into the top of my head, his familiar smell. Just in case this is the last time.

“I am so sorry about your mom,” I whisper.

His arms tighten around me and the balance shifts between us, so he’s leaning into me, and I’m holding him.

Eventually, he releases me and takes a step back, wiping his eyes. “I haven’t really processed what’s going on with my mom yet. I’ve hardly let myself think about it. So thanks for being here. Thanks for helping me tackle my office, too.”

“I’m happy to help in any way I can,” I say, meaning it.

He presses his lips together, rocking back on his heels, like he’s struggling with something.

“What?” I say.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“I know, but I can hear you thinking.”

His lips curve in a sad smile. “I just”—he shrugs—“love you.”

My chest constricts. Somehow, I manage to say: “Be safe on your trip.”

Then I give him one last smile, and head out.

Forty-One

LIBBY

Suji and I are taking what’s become our daily iced coffee break. A little splurge I justify since it’s better than going out to lunch every day like I used to. And it’s been nice having a friend I’m not related to, whose happiness I don’t feel responsible for.

“Doing anything fun this weekend?” she asks.

“Not sure I’d call it fun... but I’m supposed to climb the rock wall at Maggie Daley Park after work today with Hannah.”

As soon as I say my sister’s name, I realize I haven’t seen or heard from her all day. She had a doctor’s appointment this morning, but it’s almost three o’clock.

“Sorry, just want to check in on my sister,” I say, grabbing my phone.

My stomach clenches with worry as I imagine the worst-case scenarios: kidnapping, murder, hit-and-run. Hannah’s true crime obsession is rubbing off on me.

Libby:Haven’t seen you all day!

Moments later, my phone buzzes, and my whole body relaxes.

Hannah:I’ll meet you by the park entrance at 5:30

“Everything okay?” Suji asks.

“Oh yeah,” I say, slipping my phone back in my pocket. “Curse of being the big sister, you never stop worrying.”

“I think that’s supposed to be the curse of parents,” Suji says. “At least with Korean parents—I’m thirty-two and my mom panics if she doesn’t get a proof-of-life message every day.”

I smile but can’t really relate. Hannah and I talk to our parents every few weeks, mostly out of obligation. Come to think of it, I don’t even think they know what’s going on with the business.

“So, the rock-climbing wall is still on?”

“Possibly...”

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