“To Mary,” everyone repeated in unison.
“Salute!” And they drank up.
Before she left, Mary spent extra time with Nonna.
“I love you; you know that, right?” she said.
“Yes, yes. You know you’re my favorite?” Nonna replied.
“You don’t tell all of us that?”
“I do. But with you, I mean it.”
“You’re my favorite, too.” She kissed her grandmother’s cheek and said goodbye. “I’ll FaceTime you tomorrow. I’ll be back before you know it.”
Nonna wiped away a tear and said, “Go. And know we’re proud of you, Mary.”
“Thanks, Nonna. That means everything.”
THE NIGHT BEFOREthey left, Dot sent one more text to the group.
“Everyone all set? Got your rides to the airport planned?”
“Yes, Mom,” Mary texted from her bed.
“Car coming at 10 a.m. Meet you at the gate,” Harper said. “Don’t get cold feet!”
“Remember, you never know who you might meet on the plane,” Dot said.
“That never happens.” Mary was a skeptic.
“It does happen! Lots of couples have met on planes. It’s where you can sit and talk and just be yourself. It’s a great way to fall in love.”
“Like love at first sight?”
“No. Love at firstflight,” Harper chimed in.
“I don’t have a great track record. Last time I flew, I sat next to a guy who drank six screwdrivers on the way to Las Vegas. And it was six in the morning,” Mary said.
“Maybe he saw you and thought he needed liquid courage to start a conversation,” Dot replied.
“I watched five hours ofHousewivesinstead.”
“Harsh blow to his ego.”
“And to my brain cells.”
“Good night, Crew. And... thanks.” Dot was ready for bed, though she didn’t know if she’d be able to sleep.
“Sweet dreams.” Harper added a sleeping emoji.
“Hoping for dreams a little more stimulating than sweet.” Mary was having fun now.
“Go to bed, you nut.” Dot set her phone down, then picked it up one more time to check she’d set her alarm. She could hardly wait for the morning to come.
AT THE AIRPORTthe morning of their departure, Harper was pacing.
“What’s wrong?” Mary asked. “Sit down.”