Page 37 of Twenty Years Later

Now, I was kind of scared. I shook my head trying to get around my sudden shock and confusion. "Okay. So you're saying youwantme to move?"

"I'm not exactly saying that. I'm just saying don't you dare give up a chance at happiness because of us, because you think we need you here, or whatever bullshit you're thinking."

Okay, she could stop swearing any time now. "But—"

"To be honest, your dad wants to retire, and we'd like to travel."

"Oh. I didn't know that." I had no clue. And now, the guilt started to creep in, like Gabby and I were holding them back.

"We didn't want to say anything because, well, I didn't want you to feel bad or anything. But now... I know it's early and it was just one weekend. But I saw the way she was with Gabby and the way you were looking at her."

My heart thudded against my ribcage at what my mom was saying. Was it that obvious? She also had super eagle vision when it came to her sons. "So you're kicking me out of the nest, huh?" I said, a strange feeling growing in my chest.

"Yep. Pretty much," she said, smiling. "I really think you should go check out Maine."

And something about those words made me the happiest I'd been in a long, long time.

***

That night after a fun afternoon at the beach with Gabby, I watched the time, waiting for that magic hour of nine o'clock.

I'd already done the legwork for a trip to Maine, looking ahead at my work schedule and seeing some days off in about six weeks where I could squeeze in a visit. I just needed to run it by Jayda before I booked any tickets.

My phone buzzed, and I looked down to see it was Jayda calling. "Hey," I answered, surprised.

"Hey. Beat you to it," she said. I could practically hear the smile in her voice.

"That anxious to talk to me, huh?" I teased.

Her light laughter met my ear. "If only I could throw a stuffed animal at you through the phone."

"If only," I said, wishing I could see her face. "So how are you doing? What'd you do today?"

"Just tried to write while my parents took Audrey to storytime at the library."

"Fun. Tried to write, huh? So not very successful?" I asked, flicking off the TV.

"Mm, yeah. Just not feeling it today. One of those days."

If I wasn't mistaken, her voice sounded a bit tired today. "Sorry to hear that."

"Oh, that's okay. Some days it flows better. And some days it's best to take a break. But anyway, how are you?"

"Doing well." I paused, thinking about when I should bring up a trip to see her.

"You sure?" she asked after a beat, probably wondering why I was quiet.

"Yeah. Yeah. Just..."

"Just what?"

"Just..." I felt some nerves as I thought about telling her but decided to go for it. "Well, I'm thinking about coming to Maine for a visit."

I could almost hear her surprise through the silence on the phone. Finally, she said, "You really want to come to Maine?"

"Yes, I do."

She was quiet another few seconds, and I wondered what she could possibly be thinking. "That would be great," she said, her voice a little soft, giving me that strange feeling in my chest again. "I'd really like that."

---