Page 19 of The Fire Walker
Dee
Yet again,I stood in a busy, full-throttleLAX.
This time, instead of waiting for an arrival, we were watching half our family leave forhome.
Zoe, Will, and I lingered out the front of Passport Control with Chris, Simone, and Frank, who all held their boarding passes in their hands. It was hard to see them go after so long together. I knew I would see them when I got back—whenever that was—but I already missedthem.
While Zoe was talking to the others, Simone sidled up next to me and asked, “How’d it go? I saw you talking with Jessie lastnight.”
I grinned and elbowed hergently.
Her eyes widened. “Yeah?”
“I’m taking her out tonight.” I couldn’t helpgrinning.
“Way to go.” She raised her fist, and I bumped mine against hers. “I toldyou.”
“No, youdidn’t.”
“Did so. At theclub.”
“If you sayso.”
“You’re gonna be fine,” she said, giving me a hug, her head resting against mychest.
“Do you think she kisses on the first date?” I asked, and she pulled back,laughing.
“I’m gonna miss you,Cosgrove.”
“I’m sure I’ll have some outrageous demand I’ll need fulfilling soon enough.” I leaned over and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Keep it real,S.”
“Hey, we better get going,” Chris said, tugging on Simone’sarm.
After hugging goodbye, they offered one last wave before wandering off to that weird place between countries. Which was just one big waiting room but stillweird.
As they disappeared out of sight, my shoulders sagged. I still had Zoe and Will next to me, but I suddenly began to feel alone. That was bad news. All caps. Zoe threaded one arm through Will’s and the other throughmine.
“Two hot guys on my arm,” she declared, pulling us away. “We’ll see them again, Dee Dee. It’s not the season premiere ofLost. They won’t crash on a mysterious island with a smokemonster.”
“Iknow.”
“I know what it’s like,” Will said. “You get used to having the guys around, and when they’re gone, it’s bloodyquiet.”
“It’ll be good to have a little break. You can do whatever you want,” Zoe continued. “Whatareyou going todo?”
As we walked through the crowd of travelers back out to the taxi rank to find a ride back into the city, I wondered the same thing. That would depend on how things went with Jessie. I wanted to see New York, but I didn’t want to follow her or anything. Not if she didn’t want meto.
“I dunno,” I replied truthfully. “I’m gonna stay here a few days and then decide. Maybe San Francisco. New York. LasVegas.”
“Hey, maybe we could meet up somewhere along theway.”
“Maybe.”
As we stood in line, it didn’t escape my notice that Zoe was watching me with that look on her face. You know, that look women get when they know you’re trying to say shit to please them? Thatone.
“What was Simone talking to you about before? She seemed rather excited aboutsomething.”
Will glanced up like he was interested, but he offered a small grimace as if he knew. Brothers in arms and all. “Nothing.”
