Page 12 of The Summer Request
“Yes. Sort of.” Zora reached into her bag and pulled out a gold folder marked Girls’ Trip.
Michelle stared at it. It was clearly Justine’s swoopy handwriting in elaborate, glittery ink. What adult woman kept glitter markers? Only Justine could pull it off.
“Justine immensely valued the friendship you shared. She talked about you all the time.”
Tears rushed to Michelle’s eyes and she swallowed, commanding them to retreat.
“She would go on about how hard it was to get everyone together, and a few years ago, she got the idea of hosting a girls’ trip.” Zora opened the folder, pulling out a stack of pictures and a paper labeled Itinerary.
“The problem was, the trip she’d planned centered around the properties she shared with Lou. When he filed for divorce, she lost access to the properties in Miami and Santa Monica, though she got to keep the one in Bar Harbor. She struggled with how to make this trip work without them, and put off re-planning it until recently.”
Michelle frowned. Why had Justine never told them about this? They could’ve stayed at a Howard Johnson for all she cared.
Zora went on. “Before she died, Justine was working on a new plan that went to the same cities so she could show you all of her favorite restaurants and spots. She wanted to show you the best of everything, and she was saving up for the trip.”
Saving? Surely Justine had gotten a significant settlement in the divorce? The guy was a grifter, sure, but he was a rich grifter.
Not long after Justine and Lou had met, they started a company called Emerald Life. It was, in essence, a self-help company, but it grew into something much larger. Within a decade, Emerald Life had thousands of members and was pulling in millions a year. Michelle had read an article about it in Vanity Fair. It was not entirely flattering, with accusations that the organization functioned like a cult in some ways.
None of that was Justine’s doing, though. Lou had taken more and more control of the business until Justine had no say at all.
“I’m going to cry,” Lisa said, shaking her head and picking up a box of tissues from the corner. After returning to her seat, she offered the box around.
“I know this is a lot to handle,” Zora said, accepting a tissue and blowing her nose. “Justine was in the process of planning the trip when she died, and she actually included a request in her will.”
“A request?” Val leaned forward.
Zora nodded. “A request. I have it here. Hang on a second.” She fumbled through some papers before pulling out a sheet and clearing her throat. “Dear friends, if you are reading this, I am back on my home planet.”
Michelle snickered.Typical Justine.
“Just kidding.” Zora smiled and took a deep breath before continuing. “I’m dead, apparently. I hope I went out in a really cool way, like saving kittens from a fire, but if not, please make up an appropriate story.
“I’m still hoping you’ll never see this letter and I’ll find the time to go on this trip with you myself. But if you’re hearing this, then I messed up. I’ve left instructions with Zora to plan the most epic girls’ trip that ever was.
“Actually, I guess we don’t so much find time as we make time. We’ve been friends for so long that it’s easy to take one another for granted. Easy to take our connection for granted. If I let myself use being busy as an excuse, then shame on me. Don’t follow in my footsteps (unless it’s the saving kittens thing. Then you probably should).
“Please, make the time to be together. Our friendship deserves it. You deserve to have the time of your lives. I will come along, in ash and in spirit. Sprinkle my remains as you wish. I believe ashes can be used as a weapon in close combat situations, too, so don’t forget that. Please remember – ”
Zora reached for a tissue, a sob caught in her throat. “I’m sorry,” she said, blowing her nose. She cleared her throat and returned to reading. “Please remember no one has ever known me like you three, and no one could ever love me like you did. Love you always, Justine.”
Val was the first to sob, and a moment later, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Except for Michelle, who sat with her arms firmly crossed and her lips pinched shut. She was not going to cry in front of everyone. She was not going to break down, no matter how awful this situation was.
Since she was the only one capable of speech, she spoke first. “That was very sweet of her. It’s too bad we can’t all pack up and go on a trip, though.”
Val’s mouth popped open. “What? Didn’t you hear what she said? We need tomakethe time.”
Michelle stared at her. She couldn’t be serious.
“I’m in,” Lisa said shakily. “I don’t even care where we’re going, I’ll do whatever Justine wanted.”
No. This wasn’t happening. This was completely impractical. “Lisa, I mean – don’t you have to go to work?”
She waved a hand and dabbed at her eyes. “I’m actually between jobs right now. It’s perfect timing.”
“Me too,” Val said, nodding. “Justine’s right. What if you’re the next to go, Michelle? What if we never get to take Justine on her last trip?”
