Page 31 of Always Us

“Yeah.” I kneel down and zip it up, then turn it upright.

Garret takes it and we go to the living room. As Garret brings the suitcase out to the garage, I go over to Frank and Ryan. “Pearce said Holton won’t make it through the night. I think Garret’s kind of in shock right now so don’t ask him about it, okay? Just act normal.”

Garret comes back in from the garage. “I wasn’t sure which car we’re taking to the airport but I put the suitcase in the Honda.”

We all stare at him. He’s almost acting like nothing happened.

“Yes, that’s perfect.” Frank grabs his keys from the counter. “Everyone ready?”

It’s weird to act like this, but how else are we supposed to act? We have to follow Garret’s lead, and right now, he wants to ignore the fact that his grandfather is dying.

Frank makes small talk on the way to the airport. Ryan and I add to the conversation but Garret says nothing. At the airport, Frank parks at the drop-off area and we do the usual hugs and goodbyes.

“Call us when you get there,” Frank says to me.

“I always do.”

“I know. I’m just reminding you to.”

I hug him. “Love you, Dad.”

“Love you, too, honey.”

I hug Ryan. “You need to give Chloe that ring for Christmas.”

“You need to stop pushing me to get married. It’s really getting annoying.”

I laugh. “Get used to it. I’m not going to stop until you propose.”

Garret’s standing there, waiting. He already said his goodbyes.

“See you guys later.” I wave as they get in the car.

Garret and I check in, then go to the gate and find that they’re already boarding. We get our seats and Garret takes my hand, like he always does before we take off.

I lean over, keeping my voice down. “Are you okay? I’m worried about you.”

“I’m good. Everything’s good.” He squeezes my hand a little, his eyes straight ahead. “We’re gonna be okay.”

Be okay? What is he talking about? Why wouldn’t we be okay?

He leans his head back and closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. “It’s almost over.”

He said it so softly I think he was talking to himself, not me. But what does he mean? What’s over?

The plane engines roar and I feel us taking off. I rest against Garret’s shoulder and fall asleep.

When we get home, Garret brings the suitcase to the bedroom, then comes back out to the living room and turns the TV on. He’s standing behind the couch as he flips through the channels. He stops on a news channel.

“. . . is still in critical condition,” the newswoman says. “Holton Kensington is well known by those in the financial world, but other people know him because of his grandson, Garret Kensington, who appeared on Prep School Girls, a reality TV show. Garret dated one of the stars of the show, Ava Hamilton. We spoke to Ava briefly and asked her about the news.”

They cut to video of Ava coming out of a coffee shop. She looks different. Her hair is longer and she has on less makeup than normal. She’s wearing skinny jeans and a short black coat and sunglasses, a giant gold purse hung over her shoulder.

“I was so sorry to hear about Holton,” she says. “I’m hoping he’ll make a full recovery.” She walks up to her silver Mercedes.

“Do you ever talk to Garret?” the reporter asks.

“Of course I do. Garret and I are close friends.” She gets in the car.

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