Page 110 of Keepsake
“I know, right? Griff will just command the heavens not to rain, and they’ll probably obey, because he’s such a grump.”
I smiled into the phone, because May sounded like May, not a stranger. There was hope for us yet. “Has Audrey gone dress shopping? Where do you get a wedding dress in Vermont, anyway?”
“You don’t. We’ll have to come to Boston.”
“You can visit me,” I offered immediately.
“Of course.”
Still grinning like a fool, I confessed my curiosity about something. “Can I ask you a really needy question?”
“Yeah. Shoot.”
“Is there any reason why Zach didn’t write me a letter this week? He’s been like clockwork. Every Tuesday I get one…”
“Oh man. Maybe it’s a tactic to make you wonder.”
“You think?”
She giggled. “No. Zach got another flu, the poor guy. He slept for three days straight.”
“Oh!”
“He’s okay, though,” she said quickly. “He’s much better today.”
“Are you sure?” My heart thumped against my ribcage at the thought of him sick again.
“I’m positive. And the doctor said he’d eventually stop getting so sick every year.”
“Good.”
“Why don’t you visit him, if you’re so worried?”
“Well…” I cleared my throat. “I want to see him. Andyouof course.”
“Lark, you don’t have to be careful with me like that. We’re still tight, whether you have a boyfriend or not. That was always true, you know? You wereneverthat kind of friend who ditched me whenever the boyfriends came along.”
She was right. “You’re too important to ditch.”
“Iknow, okay? Jeez. What if you came up here next week? A couple days after Christmas?”
“All right,” I said quickly. “If you’re sure it’s okay.”
“Do it. Let’s not be weird. Except in a fun way.”
“Deal.” I laughed. “Maybe I should send a note to Zach first, just to make sure he’s okay with me visiting. He’s been sweet to me with his letters. But sometimes when someone leaves you, it’s better when they stay gone.”
“Do you want to stay out of his life?” May asked.
“Hell no. I miss him like crazy.”
“Trust me when I tell you that he wants to see you, too.”
“Yeah?” Hearing that made me so happy. Dr. Becky would probably have me examining that reaction later.
“Oh yeah. He’s not mad, honey. He’s trying to move on, but he still loves you. I think he always will.”
I closed my eyes right there on the phone, picturing Zach’s smile. If I could see that smile aimed at me one more time, I knew I would do my best not to fuck it up. “Okay,” I said softly. “I’ll visit. Let me talk to my parents and then we’ll iron out the details.”
