Okay. actually yeah. I want to come. I need a break from Kierkegaard and the dining hall soup.
A warmth spread through my chest, loosening something that had been clenched for months.
Keegan read over my shoulder, his breath soft at my temple. “Good,” he said.
when?I typed.
This time, her reply was almost instant.
Soon. I have one more exam to finish, and then I’ll figure out rides
I’ll text you this week with an eta?
Soon.
A nice, elastic, terrifying word.
Perfect,I sent back.I’ll be here. The cottage misses you.
I added a picture of Frank snoring on the rug, tongue hanging out, one paw over his nose. A peace offering. Or a bribe.
A heart emoji came back. Then another message.
are you okay, btw?
you look tired in the last selfie you sent
I glanced at Keegan.
“Describe okay,” I muttered.
He snorted.
I’m… working on it,I wrote to her.We’ve had some.. complicated magical stuff. I’ll explain when you get here. But I’m okay enough. And better at flying than soup now, so that’s progress.
A string of laughing emojis came back, then:
pls don’t die before I get there
I swallowed.
I’ll do my best,I sent.
A beat.
promise?she replied.
The word glowed on the screen, too simple for what it was asking.
“You don’t have to promise what you can’t control,” he said. “Just what you can.”
I promise I’m going to fight very hard to be here when you arrive,I typed, fingers shaking just a little.And also to have cookies. We all need goals.
She sent back a single star emoji, then:love you, mom.
I stared at the words until they blurred.
Love you more,I answered, because you never stop saying it that way, even when they’re grown and living many towns away, and one reality shift away.
