Page 134 of Any Second Now
“I’d at least go find him for one last fu?—”
“January!”
“What?” she says with fake surprise.
“Can we talk about something else?” My mind is swirling. Damn, I’m so confused. I should be sure of my decision and getting ready for the next chapter of my life, not questioning everything.
She scoffs. “Fine. I can’t believe you’re selling the Pink Palace. I thought maybe you’d decide RV life was permanent.”
“Definitely not.” I shake my head. RV life is definitely not my permanent state. But I feel like this topic is in the same category as leaving Atticus behind.
I also can’t believe I’m selling the Pink Palace.
Especially with that gorgeous mural.
The one the buyers were talking about painting over.
I rub my face. I need coffee. I’ve been lying in my bed awake for hours, googling things I shouldn’t be googling. And last night I couldn’t sleep after getting back from watching the hockey game at Kellen’s house.
“I met your friends last night,” I say, trying to change the subject. Trying to distract myself.
January squeals. “Aren’t Reese and Oliver amazing? I went with Reese and her sister on a trip to Ireland this summer to visit their other sister, who lives in a seaside town with her gorgeous Irish bartender husband.”
“They were nice.”
January launches into a story from their trip to Ireland and I realize that hearing about Reese and Oliver’s love story is not a distraction. It’s the whole point.
I eventually say goodbye to January and head to my tiny bathroom, chuckling when I go to slide on my slippers. I honestly have no idea how she did it, but Megghen’s left a final present for me in one of them. A warm, brown egg. Tears sting my eyes.
Am I crying over a chicken?
“Thanks, Megghen.” I look across the RV at my chicken,waiting patiently at the door of the tent for me to put her into her coop outside. “You’ve been a good friend this summer.”
I swipe at my eyes and grab the egg so I can stick it in the fridge and start my coffee before going back to clean myself up and pull on leggings, a tank top, and a Blizzard hoodie.
Somehow, my relationship with Megghen went fromwhy is there a chicken in my RVat the beginning of the summer toshe’s my sounding board and friend. I really need to hang out with Lucy and January more.
To be honest? I’ve been fantasizing about a life in Fort Collins.
“But it’s not going to happen,” I remind myself as I pour creamer into my coffee.
I’ve looked up so many things.
Local cross-stitch groups that meet in person.
The best places to kayak.
What it’s like to live in Fort Collins year round.
Apartments to rent.
I’m just torturing myself, and I know it.
A knock at the tinny RV door startles me as I’m about to sip from my steaming coffee.
Who the heck could that be? The potential buyers are due to come later today—maybe they came early? Hours and hours early. Or maybe it’s Bri’s friend with the pick up truck here to get Megghen. Ugh, I thought I had until tomorrow with her.
But when I pull open the door—first making sure Fred is within easy grabbing distance—all the breath disappears from my lungs.
