Page 38 of Friends Don't

“Quit being dramatic.”

“Don’t tempt me.”

“You two know each other?” Poppy looks between us.

“Best friends since forever. I’m Collin Rattler.”

Poppy reaches out her hand but pulls back when she sees Collin’s blood-covered fingers. “Come on in and wash up. I’ll get you some ice.” She moves to the kitchen. Collin scowls at me before following her. I can hear them chatting away. Poppy asks him a question about his work, and since I know Collin so well, I can tell when he relaxes into the conversation.

While they’re occupied, I take a minute to study the living room.

This side of the duplex looks decidedly better than how I left it. There are bright-colored throw pillows on a slip-covered couch. Oversized tapestries hang from the walls, conveniently covering some of the cracks I know are in the plaster. Books are color-coordinated on the built-in shelves on either side of the fireplace, and the lamp Poppy hid behind is casting the room in a warm glow. It’s welcoming. Happy. Nice. It feels like a home.

Something tells me Poppy made it this way. She seems to always be looking for ways to make things better.

Rose slowly emerges from under the coffee table. “Thank God we got that sorted. Took years off my life, but I can always count on Poppy.”

I don’t respond, but in my head, I can’t help but think that anyone who has Poppy on their side is lucky, indeed.

11

Turtle Time

Poppy

To:[email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Re: Email 2

Dear Poppy,

You don’t have to apologize for thinking deeply about things. I like hearing how your brain works. Mostly I’m glad that I didn’t do anything to make you mad. ?

As for forgiveness, I think it’s one of the bravest things we can do—to acknowledge that we’ve been hurt but to also make the active effort to move forward by letting go. When we don’t let what has been done to us rule over us, we can be free, and there’s beauty in that.

In other news, Mack told me about the bat situation. I’m so sorry about that. What a mess! I did laugh when I heard about Collin taking a broom to the nose. I doubt his bruised nose will affect the man’s swagger. Anyway, I told Mack to get his act together and fix some things up for you and Rose. Hopefully he does.

I’m looking forward to seeing you for the wedding. Soon!

H

I am freaking thriving.

Holland’s email put a pep in my step this morning. I don’t know what it is, but I feel the elusive spark when he writes me. It gives me hope for us, which means that today—though I’m on a school bus with a whole bunch of six- and seven-year-olds and sweating my brains out—I feel good.

We’re en route to the zoo, and this is the first official Parks and Rec event I’m on point for. Heather has been on maternity leave since earlier this week. No baby yet, but the prodromal labor has been intense, so we all sent her home. She wanted to ride it out. Mayor Witmore wouldn’t hear of it. Mostly I think he didn’t want the responsibility of being the one to catch a baby if it came to that.

Heather reluctantly obliged, so I’m on my own.

Today, I’ve got Ginny with me, along with another mom and dad who volunteered to chaperone. Collin Rattler is along with us too. Something to do with the police department’s community outreach efforts.

And rounding out our crew of chaperones is Mack Bradley.

Somehow he got roped into being our sixth adult on this trip. He’s sitting three rows ahead of me, and I’ve been watching him referee a couple of squirrely six-year-old boys for the entirety of our drive. It’s hard to miss him.

Should I feel guilty that I can’t get the image of him racing into our duplex during the bat debacle out of my head? It was nice to have someone come to the rescue for once. I mean, I was the one who ousted the bats, but it wasn’t for lack of effort on Mack’s part. I glance up at Collin, who’s sitting two rows ahead of Mack and facing the back of the bus. His face looks like a children’s finger painting—blues and purples all mixed together across his nose.

---