Page 53 of Glad You're Here

My aunt stood a few feet ahead of me, frozen, staring at the woman with wild, black and gray curls cascading over the back of the booth. Lenny turned to look at me, placing a trembling hand over her heart.

I whispered, “She still loves you. Surprise.”

It took me a grand total of five minutes to find Marie Orville, call her, and convince her to come and sweep Lenny off her feet. Her flight arrived this morning, and Levi went to pick her up at the airport and bring her to The Station.

When my aunt made no move toward Marie, I stepped forward and gave her shoulder a light shove.

Levi smiled and said something quietly to Marie before sliding out of the booth. Marie quickly turned and spotted my aunt. Her gorgeous face lit up, and she stood. Marie and Lenny remained still, slowly taking in the sight of each other.

I didn’t understand their slowness. To me, love felt urgent and even feverish. I thought of each night I’d spent with Levi since his arrival in Durango and our hot, gasping, desperate need for each other. Even now, it bothered me that he was across the bar and not in my arms. But maybe mature love could be soft and patient, more deep and intricate. I looked forward to experiencing that sort of love with Levi, too.

Finally, Lenny took the first step, and Marie followed suit. They embraced, and the years between them melted away in an instant. Lenny stepped back and took Marie’s face in her hands. “Exactly as beautiful as the last time I saw you.”

Marie laughed— a happy sound from my childhood, and gently stroked Lenny’s hand. “So are you, Len. God, it’s so good to see you. I don’t think a day has passed that I haven’t thought of you.”

As if my aunt just remembered that Levi and I were still in the room, she whipped around to give me a look that landed somewhere between accusation and gratitude. “You did this, Thea?”

“I guess we’re not dealing with a burst pipe then, huh? Phew.” I pretended to wipe the sweat from my brow. “Well, I guess I’ll head out. Levi and I still have some grocery shopping to do before we leave in the morning. But you two,” I pointed back and forth between Lenny and Marie, “You two should catch up! You know, since Marie’s here. By the way, isn’t it wild that she’s been thinking about moving back to Durango? Crazy town.” I motioned to my boyfriend. “Levi, shall we?”

My aunt returned to me and pulled me into her arms for a bone-crushing hug. “You sure are something, sweetie. What am I going to do without you for a whole year?”

I returned her hug and then stepped back. Glancing over Lenny’s shoulder at the ever-stunning Marie Orville, I said, “I can think of a few things you’ll do while I’m gone.”

Lenny’s mouth dropped open in shock, and she gently smacked my shoulder.

“What?” I laughed. “You can dish it, but you can’t take it?”

Lenny rolled her eyes at me, and Marie’s laugh dispelled any of my aunt’s remaining discomfort. “Oh, Thea. You’re still a mischievous little delight, aren’t you? I’m sorry you’re leaving so soon. I would have loved spending more time with you, too.” Marie stepped up beside my aunt and slid her arm around her waist like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“We’ll be back before you know it.” I smiled at Marie and took Levi’s hand when he arrived at my side. I tossed my car keys to Lenny. She’d already agreed to let me store my car in her garage for the year. “Desi is bringing your lunch and a bottle of wine from the Italian place next door. She’ll reopen the bar as soon as you two finish. Take my car back home, and for the love of god, enjoy each other.”

I gave my aunt and the love of her life one more smile and wave and then walked out of The Station with Levi.

“Do you have the grocery list?” I asked as we walked to his truck.

“Of course. Right here.” He held up his phone and smiled. Thank fuck he was an organized person. I would have scribbled the list on the back of a receipt and lost it hours ago.

“What would I do without you?” I smiled and nudged him with my elbow.

Levi shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know, Thea. You’re so lucky I wandered into this bar almost a year ago.”

His words were sarcastic, but he was right.

We finished our grocery shopping and spent one more night in my house, which was more sex than sleep. Now, it was time to hit the road. The air still carried a slight chill that the rising sun hadn’t yet chased away, and the butterflies in my stomach swirled with active excitement.

Levi checked the drawers and cupboards in the trailer to make sure everything was secure, and I locked my front door with the spare key, then stowed it in the hidden compartment on the scrap metal angel. This farmer’s market find was an ironic purchase since I didn’t believe in angels, but somehow, it reminded me of my mom. I smiled at my anti-angel and quietly whispered goodbye to my little house. Then, I hurried down the driveway to the adventure that awaited me.

When I opened the passenger door of Levi’s truck, I saw a rumpled napkin on the seat. I picked it up and called over my shoulder, “Clean up your trash, you slob. If this is how this whole trip will be—” I started to tease Levi, but I stopped short when I saw which napkin I held.

Levi’s list stared up at me, the one he wrote when we first met. He’d scribbled out a few things like Have a one-night stand and Get blackout drunk, and he’d written NA beside them. Nearly everything else was crossed off, though, including Fall in love. I rolled my eyes and smiled when he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

He kissed my neck and pointed to Attend a punk rock concert. “There’s a punk festival in Vegas in October. I got us tickets and a nice hotel room so we could have a break from camping and nature.”

“Good.” I laughed. “Nature is so pretentious, you know? I’m going to need a break from all of its in-your-face beauty and perfection.”

Levi laughed and hugged me tighter. “Stupid nature.”

I turned to face him and gave him one of his favorite long kisses. When our lips parted, I asked, “So what’s next when we finish this list?”

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