Page 2 of American Beauty

“Duh.” She wiggles her tiny dino claws. “I knew you’d be sad, so I’m distracting you with my utter lack of shame.”

And there it is. The reason behind the absurdity. She knew I’d barely be holding it together.

That’s Violet. She’s never beenthe hug you while you crytype. No, she’s thedress up as a prehistoric creature in a crowded airport to make you laughtype.

Emotion knots in my throat, but I swallow it down and go to her, wrapping my arms around the big dumb dinosaur that is my best friend.

“God, I missed you, you damn freak.”

Violet makes a sniffing sound. “I missed you too, Mags. And I hope you know that no other arrival at this airport tonight is getting this level of fanfare.”

“I would be concerned if they were.”

She pulls back, placing her clawed hands on my shoulders like she’s about to drop some wisdom. “Now, I’ll help you grab your bags, but first, I must ask—do you have anything to declare?” She gestures to her sign.

I swallow past the lump in my throat. “Only… sadness. It was hard to leave him.”

Violet nods. “I know. That’s why I’m going to shower you with unconditional love and endless entertainment.”

I smirk. “Starting with a dinosaur suit?”

“Obviously.” She gestures grandly. “Now, let’s grab your luggage and get out of here before someone asks me to take a picture with their kid.”

Violet stops mid-waddle, her inflatable tail nearly taking out a passing traveler. She spins to face me, her dinosaur head bobbing. “Wait a second. Where are the others?”

“Oh yeah. We missed our connection in L.A., so the airline had to split us up. They’re on a different flight.”

Honestly? Splitting up from them was a huge relief. A mercy actually. Pretending to be fine during the first leg of the flight was exhausting. I plastered a fake smile on my face, forcing myself to chat about meaningless things when all I wanted to do was sit in silence and ache.

“Good. You should marinate in your feelings. But not for too long because I need you emotionally stable enough to spill every detail about Mr. Bazillionaire.”

I sigh, following her. God help me.

We step outside into the humid Charleston air, the automatic doors whooshing shut behind us. The moment we hit the sidewalk, people driving by honk their horns.

Violet lifts her short dino arms and waves at them like she’s a damn celebrity on a parade float.

“Thank you, thank you!” she calls out. “I’m here all week!”

A guy leans out of his car window, grinning. “Love the costume, sweetheart!”

Violet gasps, clutching her non-existent dino pearls. “I’m not wearing a costume, sir.”

I snort, shaking my head. “You are ridiculous.”

“Yes…ridiculouslyon point.”

We dart through the pedestrian crossing, collecting stares, honks, and one very enthusiastic marriage proposal.

“Whew. Being a national treasure is exhausting.”

“Take off the suit, Violet. I’ve missed your face.”

She sighs like I’ve asked her to give up oxygen. “Fine. It was fun while it lasted.”

With several grunts and some truly questionable maneuvering, she fights her way out of the monstrosity, tossing it into the backseat.

She swings her keys around her finger, grinning. “Ready to blow this popsicle stand?”

---