“Have you heard of this?” I pointed to the section in the pamphlet. “Living funerals?”
Eli nodded. “My mom had one, sort of. It was really just a dinner party with her favorite people and favorite food. I was dreading it, honestly. I almost didn’t even go. But the memory of it outweighs the pain, I think.” He shook his head like he was trying to push it back into a safer corner of his brain. “Besides, all these people get together to say nice things about you at your funeral and you don’t even get to hear it. I guess it’s a good option if you’re not a shitty person.”
“Or if there’s anything to say about you at all.”
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I have plenty to say about Vera Stein.”
EXT. YOU SCREAM ICE CREAM ROOFTOP–NIGHT
They climb up just to watch the lights.
POPPY
What are we even doing?
ARLO
Saying hello to the moon. What if it’s lonely?
POPPY
We have to get back to work.
ARLO
Not until you say hi to the moon.
POPPY
(sighs and screams)
HELLO, MOON!
Chapter Twenty-Five
Eli’s phone rang just as we were about to pull out of the parking lot. His navigation screen readBrigid. ♥
“Sorry, I better get this real fast.”
He grabbed his phone from where it sat in the cupholder and bypassed the car’s Bluetooth as he answered.
“Hey there,” he said softly, and then after a moment, “You’re okay, though?”
He nodded and then quietly sighed. “Of course. No, I get it.” He paused. “Okay, I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
With a quick glance, he gave me a small, apologetic smile. “Yeah, I love you too.”
My stomach sunk so very slowly as he hung up. I knew he had someone. But I supposed a silly, senseless part of me was holding out hope for... I don’t even know what.
“Hey, I’m going to drop you off real fast and then I’ve got to take care of something,” he said as he began to reverse.
“I can catch a ride back with Hollis or get an Uber back,” I offered. Him dropping me off made me feel like an annoying little sister.
“No, no.” He shook his head. “It’s fine.”
Obviously whatever he had to do, he didn’t want my company, but in an effort to save time, I said, “I could just go with you if that’s easier.”
He bit down on his lower lip as we idled at the exit of the parking lot. “I don’t want to keep you from your work.”
