She sighed and rested her elbows on her desk as she pondered moving back to Charlotte. How would she ever recover from losing Drew a second time?
***
“I have some news,” Kacey said as she sat across from Drew at the Little Italy Italian restaurant the next night.
Drew closed his menu. “I do, too, but you go first.”
“Okay,” she began. “So, it looks like I’m going back to Charlotte after Christmas.”
His smile faded. “So soon? What happened?”
She explained how her friend Jackie called and asked if she wanted to move in January first when her roommate moved out.
“That’s great, Kace.” His smile seemed forced, and didn’t quite meet his eyes.
“Yeah, I lucked out. What’s your news?”
“I got the music department head job in Newton.”
“Oh wow.” She tried to sound excited as disappointment overcame her. Would she even see Drew when she came back to visit her family? She tamped down the thought and leaned across the table to place her hand on his. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks. It’s a big raise.”
“That’s fantastic. When does it start?”
“After the holidays.”
“So you need to sell your house and find a place to live there.”
Drew nodded. “Right.”
Kacey fiddled with her napkin. “We’ll keep in touch, right?”
“Of course.”
“Your friendship means so much to me. I’m sorry we missed out on so many years.”
“I am too.” He reached across the table and took her hands in his. “I promise I’ll do better this time.”
“Me too,” she said softy.
***
Drew walked into Garrett’s classroom Monday afternoon.
Garrett looked up from his desk. “Hey, man, what’s up?”
“I got the job in Newton.” Drew sank down on one of the chairs in the front row.
Garrett’s face lit up. “That’s great.”
“Thanks.” Drew rested his right ankle on his left knee. “My father, who only cares about money, said I should take it.”
Garrett stood up and walked around the desk before sitting on the edge of it. “But it sounds like you don’t want to take it.”
“Not really.” Drew pursed his lips and crossed is arms over his chest. “Tomorrow I’m going to Charlotte to interview for the music teacher position there.”
“And that’s the job you want,” Garrett said.
