“Hey, babe,” Zora said, entirely unaware of the roller coaster Audrey was on. “What’s up?”
“Hallie sent me a camera.” It didn’t really explain Audrey’s tone but she was hoping Zora could put the pieces together.
“Hallie did? Damn, I thought the woman knew you pretty well at this point, but you never take photos.”
Audrey huffed in surprise. Apparently, she hadn’t talked about that part. “She has a wall of photos at her mom’s place—photos from years ago. It felt like…somethingwhen I was there, and I started feeling like the moments with her were ones I wanted to capture, to hold onto.”
“Oh,” Zora gasped, like she was getting it.
“She said we’d try out a Polaroid camera together because I told her I’d never used one.”
“And she sent you a Polaroid camera.”
“Yes.”
“Then, girl, what are you doing? Get on that plane right now!”
Audrey laughed, feeling dizzy and weightless. “You think I should?”
“You don’t?” Zora sounded outraged.
“No, I do. I just… don’t know if she thinks that.”
“Oh, my god. Babe. That womanadoresyou, she practically worships the ground you walk on, and, now, you’re telling me she sent you this perfect, meaningful gift? That’ssuchan invitation!”
“I bought her a gift card to buy flights here… I was going to have it couriered to her tomorrow.”
Zora laughed. “There’s nothing like you being the courier that gets it to her.”
“What if it’s too much?” Audrey tried to slow her breathing, slow her tapping, but adrenaline was coursing through her body, amped up and excited.
“If she showed up on your doorstep right now, would you be disappointed?”
“Not at all.”
“So, why would she?”
“I don’t know…”
“Your brain is being mean to you, telling you you don’t deserve this, but Ipromiseyou do. She wants you there.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes! Go book the tickets immediately!”
Audrey let out a startled laugh. “I have work tomorrow—”
“Call out sick.”
“It’s too late to even fly tonight. It’ll have to be tomorrow.”
“Okay, but, whatever you have to do to get on that plane, do it. Work will be fine, and you never call out. They can handle youfinally doing something for yourself. And you need this, babe.Ineed this.”
“Are you planning on coming with me?”
Zora cackled delightedly. “No, but I look forward to calling you for Christmas when you’re with your girlfriend.”
“I couldn’t possibly impose for that long.”
