Page 43 of Cop-Off

And she knew it was. Letting him go was the right thing to do. Who knew how long she would need to stay here? And the thought of losing another parent because of her own selfishness wasn’t an option.

Pulling up Libby’s latest message, she decided it was time to bite the bullet. She owed her friend an answer.

Cat: I didn’t tell you because the last thing I wanted was for you to worry. I can see I was worrying for nothing now, though, 136 messages are a perfectly reasonable amount of texts to send a person over a two day period.

Her phone dinged right away. Figures.

Libby: Ha ha. And just so you know, 136 WAS a reasonable amount. It could have easily been 1036, but like a good friend, I was giving you space.

She didn’t think it was possible for her lips to twitch right now, but they did just that.

Cat: Your version of space and my version of it are really fucking different, Lib.

Libby: Seems like that’s the case when it comes to friendship, too. Best friends tell each other things, Cat. Like say, your dad getting sick and you moving back to England to look after him?

Cat: I did tell you, technically.

Libby: Yeah, three years later! I could have been there for you, Cat. Like you’ve always been there for me.

Cat: I’m sorry. I don’t want to fight. Can we jump to the part where you forgive me?

Libby: Of course you’re forgiven. But don’t do it again. How are you doing? Can I call you?

Cat wasn’t ready to talk about Cody yet, and there was no doubt in her mind that Libby would bring him up if she called. So, in the interest of not having a panic attack tonight, she declined.

Cat: Can we just text for now? I’m not at the whole talking out loud stage just yet.

Libby: Whatever you want, honey. Have you set a date for the funeral yet?

Cat: Saturday. It’s going to be hard. My mum’s a mess. Jack’s been helping as much as he can, but you know his work schedule is ridiculous.

Libby: Sounds like you could really use your best friend right now.

A knock on the door caused her to jolt up. Who was that? It’s not like she was expecting anyone, and the Beach Bum B&B definitely didn’t do room service. Another knock forced her to jump into action and right out of the bed.

Warily walking toward the door, she slowly pulled it open.

“What the fuck?”

“Surprise!” a sheepish looking Libby responded. “You’re not allowed to be mad at me!” She hurried on. “You’re the one who left in the middle of the night, remember? So, I’m allowed to do something as equally dramatic...like show up at your hotel. In another country.”

She was too overwhelmed to argue. And too damn happy to see her best friend. So instead of wasting time, she pulled her in for a hug. A hug Cat desperately needed.

“How did you even find me? I only checked in today.”

“Jack,” Libby whispered as she squeezed tighter.

Of course it was Jack.

Eventually she released her friend and helped her drag her suitcase inside. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“I can’t believe you thought I wouldn’t come,” Libby returned, a shaky smile on her face. “You just lost your dad, honey, of course I’m here.”

“I lost him a long time ago,” she mumbled under her breath as she dropped back down on the white cotton bed sheets.

“You think we can share tonight?” Her friend dropped down next to her. “Dude at reception says they’re full tonight but he booked me a room down the hall starting from tomorrow.”

“Of course.” She twisted to face Libby. “One rule though?” She waited for her to agree before continuing. “No Cody talk? I just can’t handle it right now.”

---