“Did there have to be a but? That was beginning to sound like a direction I could follow.”
Gabe laughed so loudly that Shay had to pull the phone away from her ear.
“We’re not in the army anymore, Shay. I don’t give you orders or directions,” Gabe said. “Butmaybe going with her would be good for both of you if you go because you want to and not because you think you have to.”
Shay ran her hand over her braids and blew out an exasperated breath. “How am I supposed to know the difference?”
“I don’t know the answer to that question, and maybe you don’t either. You’re usually pretty tuned in though, so maybe you should be asking yourself and not me.”
“That’s great, Gabe. Really helpful. I’m so glad I called you.”
Gabe chuckled. “You didn’t call me so I could tell you what to do, buddy. You called me so you could hear yourself saying it all out loud and figure it out for yourself.”
“A little push in the right direction would be well-received this time.” Shay looked toward the security gate, having gotten closer to her decision.
“Okay. Then I’ll ask you this: when Rosie told you to stay, why did you?”
Shay bit her bottom lip as she contemplated Gabe’s question. “Confusion, I guess. I’m not sure what I’m feeling or where it’s coming from.”
“Mm. Then I’d push you to follow her and see what happens. I think you’ll soon find out if you’re by her side because you want to be or because you feel obligated. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“My grief for my momma could become the focus of the whole trip.”
“So what if it does?” Gabe asked. “Rosie isn’t close to her mom, so maybe the distraction would be good for her. There’s only one way to find out. You staying here means you’ll only have questions that you can never get the answers to. And if I know anything about you, it’s that you like answers and solutions. Not knowing would drive you nuts.”
“You’re right. Okay, I’m going.” Shay grasped the handle of her cabin bag. “You’re sure everything’s going to be good at the garage? It’s been crazy busy since the auction.”
“We’ll cope, and you won’t be gone that long. You’re doing this?”
“I’m doing this… Thanks, Gabe.”
“Anytime, Shay. Let me know when you’ve landed.”
Shay smiled at the slight hint of concern in Gabe’s voice. “This civilian life is making you soft,” she said and laughed.
“Nah, it’s loving Lori that’s doing that,” Gabe said and hung up.
Shay bypassed the growing line and went to the express security lane, which she navigated in less than two minutes, and hurried to her gate. Final boarding had been called and as she approached, she saw the gate staff were about to retreat onto the plane. “Hey, wait!”
The two stewards turned to look at her and waved her forward. “Cutting it fine, ma’am,” one of them said as he inspected her phone and passport.
“Sorry. My friend’s mom just died, and this was a last-minute thing to go get the body.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” He snapped her passport closed and handed it back before stepping aside.
There were those words to taunt her again. But now she was doing something that felt more useful than the empty sentiment. Shay rushed down the tunnel and onto the plane. She paused when she saw Rosie seated by the window, staring out and looking so incredibly alone. Even when Shay slipped in beside her, it didn’t pull Rosie’s attention.
Shay snapped her seatbelt into place and cleared her throat. “I’m not letting you face this alone,” she said quietly.
Rosie’s head snapped in Shay’s direction and for a moment, she seemed confused before she sighed deeply. Tears edged her eyes, and her bottom lip quivered slightly.
“Why?” Rosie asked.
“Because I’m your friend, and friends support each other, especially at times like this.”
Rosie gave her a half-smile and shook her head slowly. “I’m used to supporting myself. You really don’t have to be here.”
“I don’t have to, no. But I want to.”
