RYAN
FIVE MORE MINUTES
The calendar on my phone loomed more than the empty suitcase that needed to be packed.
More than that, the stack of unopened envelopes Lisa had given me haunted me.
Willow had been riding a high after finishing her book a few days ago. She had opened up to me, talking through her plans for where she was thinking about going next. Instead of her simply telling me what the plan was, we had gone back and forth with both of us throwing out ideas.
Eventually, we had decided to table the topic of where the next three months would be spent and if I was going to be there with her.
I had to be back in New York for a speaking engagement in the other Manhattan, so we planned to make the drive back to Queens, and spend a few days enjoying the creature comforts of city life.
I wasn’t scared by the uncertainty of what would happen to us, but I was surprised when Willow proactively said that she would break her social media silence and make a post detailing her experience with The Ford Method.
Frankly, I didn’t give a shit if she endorsed the program or not. I wanted to know if there would be an “us” in a few days.
The house had been cleaned before our departure. I had done a thorough check of her car—changing the oil, topping off the fluids, and taking it for new tires.
Willow had spent most of the day out and about, leaving me to stare at those damn envelopes. She had gone to her storage unit to swap her summer clothes for warmer wear, then spent time at Shep’s grave. I had offered to go with her, but she turned me down, saying that she had some things to tell him before we hit the road first thing in the morning.
When she came back from the cemetery, I expected her to be in a rather morose mood. Maybe she’d want to spend the rest of the day under her willow tree. It would be the perfect time to give her the envelopes.
What I didn’t expect was for her to say that she had invited Lisa, her mother, and her sister to this house for a going-away party.
And then she waltzed off to the shower to freshen up, leaving me reeling.
She hadn’t spoken to her mom or Amber since I had confronted them at the salon. To my knowledge, she hadn’t talked to Lisa either.
I crossed my fingers, hoping Lisa and Cynthia would arrive before Willow got out of the shower, so I could tell them that she didn’t know yet.
Tonight. I would tell her tonight under the willow tree tonight.
It would be a shock, but not a surprise. She would be hurt and angry at her mother, but the trip back to New York would give her space to work it through in her mind.
That was Willow; she wasn’t confrontational. She was analytical and measured.
“Hi.”
I nearly jumped out of my skin when Willow appeared behind me, wearing a smile.
“Sorry I had to shower,” she said. “It was warmer at the cemetery than I thought it would be and I got sweaty.”
The doorbell rang.
Shit.
Before I could offer to get it, Willow skipped over and yanked it open. “Hi!” she said as she threw her arms around Lisa.
Lisa’s eyes met mine as she looked over Willow’s shoulder while they hugged. I shook my head and mimed zipping my lips.
Thankfully, she understood and gave me a subtle nod mixed with disapproving eyes.
I’d take it.
“I’m so sad you two are leaving town,” Lisa said as she let go of Willow and offered me a hug. It was warm and maternal. “Are you sure y’all can’t stay another month?”
“‘Fraid so,” Willow said with a rather glum look. “Bev has people lined up to stay here the day after tomorrow and Ry has to be back in New York for work.”
