Page 124 of Come Back to Me

“She deserves all the happiness in the world, and so do you.”

“Thanks.” I smile.

We get to the truck, and I unlock it. After we both get situated in our seats, I turn on the engine.

“Is it okay if I make a quick call?”

“Sure.”

Tapping on the screen, I find Noah’s name, and the phone rings.

“Hey. What’s up, man?” Noah asks.

“Why didn’t you tell me my mom is moving in with your mom?”

“It wasn’t my place to tell you. I wanted you to hear it from your mom.”

“Okay, that makes sense.”

“I guess she told you she’s moving out on Wednesday, huh?”

“Yeah. It’s not that I wasn’t expecting it, but it was a lot of information to absorb in a few minutes.”

“I can imagine. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“Where are you guys going?”

“Coastal Shores,” Violet says.

Noah groans. “Ugh, I’m so jealous.”

“Don’t ask me to pick you up a fried chicken sandwich.”

“Geez, I wasn’t going to. You need to go eat something.”

“Fine, we will.”

“Bye, Noah.” Her voice goes up an octave.

“Bye, Violet. Make sure Mr. Cranky Pants eats something when you get there.”

“I will. Bye!” I hang up the phone, and the screen goes back to my GPS navigation app that takes me wherever I need to go.

“How far is Coastal Shores from here?” she asks, tilting her head at a slight angle.

“I think like fifteen to twenty minutes.”

“Do you have any snacks in here?”

“Check the compartment in front of you.” I point to it with my index finger.

She opens it up to reveal a secret stash of snacks along with some trash I desperately need to throw away.

“Take this.” She hands me a granola bar. “Eat it.”

“I thought you wanted something to eat.”