Page 50 of See You Next Month

As Kelsey pulled her bag to the airport exit and toward the train station, she realized her light jacket was stuffed inside her satchel. Once outside she stopped, pulled it out, and quickly put it on. It must have snowed earlier because everything was covered with a fresh coat of white.

Kelsey grabbed her phone and took a selfie with the snow in the background. She sent it to Isabella with a simple message: Brrrrr, I miss our paradise.

Isabella quickly responded with a sad face and a heart.

Kelsey was reminded of her conversation with Liz at Peaches, when they talked about vacation life and real life. For people like Riley and Alex who chose to stay, their vacation lives had become their real lives in a way.

She got on the train and looked out the window as the fields outside the airport whizzed by. As they traveled further into the city, buildings came into view. Kelsey thought about her everyday life and how it included the cityscape of Denver. But now her and Isabella’s everyday life would also include the Virgin Islands and their vacation life. The two were coming together.

“They had to,” she mumbled. Isabella was now a part of her life, wasn’t it natural to be sad when leaving a friend? Was that why she felt an emptiness inside?

Kelsey leaned back and smiled. Yeah, that must be it. She was glad to get that worked out in her head. But that kiss?

Once Kelsey was finally home, she walked into her house and left her bag in the living room. She looked around and felt such a feeling of loneliness. Tomorrow night would be a different story. Dana and Emma would be here, they’d open Christmas presents, and she’d tell them all about her trip.

She turned on a couple lights and got a bottle of beer from the refrigerator. She walked over to the couch, took out her phone, and sat down. The silence didn’t usually bother her, but for whatever reason it did tonight.

Kelsey pulled up Isabella’s number and connected the call.

“Hey, you,” Isabella said cheerily.

“Hi,” Kelsey said. “I made it home.”

“It looks cold there,” Isabella said.

Kelsey chuckled. “It’s December and I’m in Denver, remember?”

Isabella laughed. “Doesn't it seem strange? It’s cold here, too.”

“Yes, it does. I had to find my jacket once I was out of the airport,” Kelsey explained.

“Uh,” Isabella murmured. “About the airport.”

Kelsey smiled. “Thank you for that New Year’s kiss. I’m sure you knew I would be alone, so that was very thoughtful of you.”

Isabella giggled and Kelsey couldn’t believe the feeling of happiness that washed over her at the sound.

“Yeah, that’s me. Always the thoughtful one,” Isabella said. “Listen, Kels. I was having the strangest feeling leaving you.”

“I was, too, Bella. I get it,” Kelsey said.

“You do?” Isabella paused then sighed. “Of course you do.”

“Do you remember us talking about vacation life and everyday life?” Kelsey said.

“Yep.”

“Well, I don’t see how we can keep from living them both with these monthly trips,” Kelsey explained.

“When we’re not in St. Thomas, we’ll be talking about the next trip,” Isabella said.

“Yeah,” Kelsey said. “And talking about the one we just came back from. It’s like we’ll be living the island life while we’re home.”

“That sounds like fun. I don’t know about you, but it’s too quiet at my house tonight,” Isabella said.

“It’s quiet here too.” Kelsey gasped as realization struck her. “I know why! It’s the water!”

“What?”

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