“I need to pack,” I said flatly, sliding off the bed. “Are we done here?”
“Are you coming to Campus?”
I just looked at her. “You just called me spoiled! Why would I go anywhere with you?”
“Saylor.” She exhaled softly. “I didn’t—”
“Yeah, you did,” I told her. I walked over to the door, opening it. “Have fun. Maybe you can find someone else to date Blake this time.”
She looked at the door, but didn’t budge. “Okay, I thinkthings have gotten a little twisted. All I said was—”
“I know what you said,” I told her. Then I walked over to my bureau, pulling open a drawer, and started to pack again.
For a while she just sat there, watching me. Waiting for me to say something, or reverse this. By the time I moved on to my closet, though, she’d gotten to her feet and started over to the door.
“Hey,” she said. “Look. I’m sorry.”
“Me too,” I said. But I didn’t turn around. “I’ll see you around.”
She stayed there another minute, waiting for me to look at her again, but I didn’t. I was just so hurt, and frustrated, so close to crying I could feel the sobs in my chest. That first day, knowing me from no one, it was Bailey who’d stood up for me to Taylor, claiming family trumped everything. Back then, I hadn’t expected such loyalty and had been touched. When I really needed it, however, she could only think of herself. I was putting the album in my bag when I heard her leave and go down the stairs.
Now, walking the silent block to Conroy’s, I thought of Bailey and not much else. How we’d covered this same distance, but going the other way, on our own walk home together. We’d talked the entire time. Now it seemed entirely possible, if not likely, that I’d leave without even saying goodbye to her. It wasn’t like we were sisters, only cousins. But it still made me sad.
When I reached the market, I crossed the parking lotand pushed open the door. Immediately, I was hit with a blast of A/C like a wind gust, sending goose bumps springing up on my bare arms.
“Welcome to Conroy’s,” a distant female voice said in a monotone. I looked over to see Celeste behind the register, flipping through a sheaf of papers on a clipboard.
“Good morning,” I said.
“Good—” That was as far as she got before she finally looked up. “Saylor! Sorry, I was focused on my BOGO.”
“BOGO?” I asked.
“Daily discounted item,” she replied. “Which today is... sticky buns.”
Indeed, there was a display across from the register: they were buy one, get one, fifty cents each. “That’s a bargain.”
“I guess, if you like sticky buns.” She sighed, putting down the clipboard. “What brings you in so early?”
“Couldn’t sleep,” I said. “I’m leaving today.”
“I heard.” She cocked her head to the side, smiling. “But at least you aren’t going far. Thank goodness. I don’t think Bailey could take it if you were going home for good.”
That answered the question of whether she’d been told about our argument. “I wasn’t sure I’d see you,” I said. “I wanted to come say goodbye.”
“Goodbye?” She came out from behind the counter, adjusting her CONROY MARKET apron. Beneath it, she was wearing jean shorts and, again, platform wedges with a thick heel, showcasing her bright toenails. “You’re only going to the other side of the lake, though, right?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “But it won’t be the same.”
“Oh, honey.” She reached out, pulling me in for a hug. Her grip was still strong, but this time I leaned into it, holding on tightly as well. “Even if you were going all the way back to Lakeview, you couldn’t get rid of us that easily. You’re stuck with us now. You know that, right?”
I nodded, worried that a verbal response might get me teary again. “I’m sorry, Celeste.”
She loosened her grip, holding me out away from her and looking at my face. “Sorry? Whatever for?”
“For never coming here before,” I said. “All those years since my mom died. I didn’t realize... what I was missing.”
“How could you have?” She shook her head. “Honey. I know all you kids think you are long grown, but you are still children, for the most part. Which means adults make the decisions. The road runs both ways. We could have come to you.”
