Page 123 of Sunset Catchers

“Very much so,” she says with a saddened sigh. “That was never a factor when I broke up with him. I was just afraid I’d end up not wanting the same life he did. I didn’t want to take away anything from him.”

Yeah, so, I can relate to that. A lot.

My internal guilt about not being able to offer much to Levi is still going strong. I wish I could’ve just popped into his life and been this perfect version of myself. A balmy breeze instead of a tornado. A trickling stream instead of a choppy sea. But here I am with my bucket of emotional turmoil in tow. Maybe it’s unfair to him to ask him to deal with it.

“I get that,” Junie says. “It’s so hard to find someone that checks all of your boxes.” Sloane agrees with a heavy sigh. “I shall accept my fate as a spinster.”

“Not this again,” I whine.

“Spinster?”

“An older, unmarried woman,” I explain to Sloane, who laughs while Junie shrugs sheepishly.

“So, what are you guys going to do now? My brother and you, I mean,” Sloane asks me.

“We haven’t talked about it yet.”

A bout of anxiety hits me. What are we going to do now? We love each other, but is it enough to merge our lives? Would my pillow end up on his bed or would his shoes be by my front door? I don’t think there’s any space, though. Junie and I have a lot of shoes.

Shit. Junie. I live with her.

What is the rule here?

If I’m the one who ends up moving, can I bring my best friend? Like, is that a thing?? Is it???

“Winnie.” My best friend is in gentle mode. “You’ll figure it out.” I force a smile on my face.

“I’ve said it before, but my brother is a good guy. You’ll be fine,” Sloane adds, sensing my inner spiraling. She does seem to be a perceptive creature. Same as her brother, I guess. Her brother, which I love. And who loves me back.

My worry lessens.

“Well, we definitely failed the Bechdel Test,” Sloane says, wincing.

“Arrgh, noooo.” Junie hates failing at any test.

“We’re pathetic,” I add.

“Let’s talk about something else,” Junie commands.

We wait for one another to remedy the situation. None of us come up with a new subject of conversation. We burst out laughing.

But then we do. And we talk about anything but boys.

Just as I thought, the three of us together, it’s just right.

Sunset Hour

My best friend is leaning against the railing of the porch. I can see the inch of light brown in her blonde hair; her natural color peaking from her roots. Meaning she’ll be going to the salon for her touch-up in two weeks’ time.

I know this. Because I know her. Entirely.

Just as she does me.

“Junie.”

She turns around, takes one look at whatever my face is betraying and says;

“It’s alright, Winnie bear.”