Page 3 of Landon & Shay: Part Two

Today’s hard. Probably one of the hardest days of my life. Today, we have to say goodbye to my Aunt Paige, and all I can think about is how it’s too soon. I wish you would’ve had a chance to get to know her. Her energy was contagious. She had a light about her that could make the darkest days shine. She loved art. She loved children. She loved her family.

Gosh, did she love her family.

I know my cousin Eleanor is going to struggle for a long time with losing her mother, and I am going to stand by her side today to hold her up. Greyson came down to stand beside her, too. You did a good job choosing a best friend like him. We’re here for two weeks, and then we fly back to Illinois. I’ll have to be strong for that long. I’ll have to hold my cousin and my uncle up because I know they are going to fall apart.

Then when I get home, I’ll fall apart on my own because I loved my aunt. I loved her so, so much, and this hurts. It doesn’t seem fair. Mima said a prayer and told me Heaven is waiting for Paige’s arrival, but I don’t think that’s fair.

It’s not fair that God gets the good ones when we weren’t finished loving them yet.

No highlights today. Only shadows.

I wish I could hug you. I know that’s selfish and silly, but gosh, I miss your hugs.

I could really use a hug right now.

Today is hard.

Maybe tomorrow will be better.

-Chick

2

Shay

When Momand I landed back in Illinois, it wasn’t easy. There was an emptiness in my chest from having to say goodbye to Aunt Paige. When we got back to Mima’s apartment, it was pretty somber all across the board. There wasn’t really much that could be said to make things feel less heavy. Still, Mima made us dinner, and we all ate together before heading off to our own spaces.

I sat in my bedroom, and my phone dinged.

Landon:Did you make it back to town safely?

Shay:Yes, back home.

Landon:How’s your heart?

I closed my eyes as I read his words.

Shay:Struggling.

Landon:I’m sorry, Chick.

A few seconds passed and another message came through.

Landon:Meet me by the willows?

Shay:LOL I wish.

Landon:No, really. I’m in town. Meet me at the willows.

That was all he said, and it was enough for me. Five words was all it took for me to have my world rocked upside down.

“Mima!” I hollered, dashing out of my bedroom as I scrambled to put on my sneakers. “Can I borrow your car?”

She sat in the living room, doing yoga moves on her mat, being more flexible than anyone her age should’ve been. “No. It’s late, and I’m sure you’re exhausted after your travels.”

“But—”

“No buts. There isn’t a good enough excuse for you to go out at this—”

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