"You came to Montana? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Uh, because I didn't have your phone number."
"You could have got it. Just like I got yours."
"Well, I didn't. But I'm here. You're finding out now."
"Are you sad about Ms. Donna?"
"Of course I'm sad. She was my friend. She called me every week to check and make sure I was reading my Bible. She was my accountability partner."
"I didn't know she did that. How did she even get your number?"
"I called her first. I was worried about taking that Bible. I called the church to ask for her phone number and then I contacted her to make sure she didn't want me to send it back. We talked for three to five minutes a week, but it was an important five minutes for me. I'll miss her a lot. I'm sad."
"Same," he said.
"At least we know where she's at," she said.
"Yeah. Do you want a ride? I’m going up to the visitation for an hour tonight, six to seven, and then I'm going to the service in the morning. Do you want to ride with me?"
"I'm leaving in just a bit because I have to be there at five. When I stopped by earlier, I got volunteered to work in the kitchen area tonight. I'll just drive my rental like I planned since I have to be there early. Thank you, though."
"I can have you there at five. I'm on my way home now. I have to shower and change, and then I'll pick you up. Text me the name of your hotel."
"I'm at a house."
Henry felt a wave of jealousy. "Whose house?" he asked.
"A rented house. Like Airbnb."
"Oh, text me the address, and I can pick you up. That is if you want me to. I'll get you there on time."
"Yes, I'd like that. Thank you, Henry."
Henry's little sister, Bailey, knew Donna but couldn't make it to the funeral the following day, so she was going to stop by the visitation tonight. He messaged her saying that he was going early, but he would stick around until she came by.
He went to the address Amelia had given him, and he knocked on the door.
It was February, and it was cold out, so she let him in. The whole place was inviting, and he didn't know if it was her or the house itself, but it smelled nice.
She made eye contact with him. She smiled sadly and reached out to hug him. "I wish I had gotten to see her again. I told her I would."
Henry held onto her, and she held him back. "No, don't worry about that," he said. "She was happy. It was all good. You'll see her again."
"I know. That's the good part."
Her grip loosened slightly, but she did not let go of him. She needed the hug, and he started to realize that maybe he did too.
They stood there for at least a full minute, saying nothing. Henry had never hugged anyone like that before. They embraced for so long that his feelings changed as it went along.
"Goodness, I needed that. Thank you, Henry." She said, smiling a little as she broke away and took a deep breath.
"I needed it too," he said.
She stopped and stared at him with a serious expression. "Do you need to go longer?"
"No," he said, smiling at her for being so cute and sweet. "That was enough. I'm just saying, it felt good. Nice. Not that I…"
