“I can’t. I gotta get the wiggles out.”
“Well, you’re making me nervous.”
“Maybe that’s the triple espresso you had after we cleared security.”
“Fair.”
Dot was checking her bag, making sure she had everything.
“Why do you always do that?” Harper asked.
“Do what?”
“Check everything multiple times. You never forget anything.”
“I guess I’m afraid if I don’t check, something will go wrong.”
“Maybe it’s time to start letting go, Dot,” Mary said. “Isn’t that what this is all about?”
“Okay. Fine. I just want to make sure I have my charger and then...”
“Stop! Your charger is right there.” Harper pointed to the white cord sticking out of the zippered pouch.
“You’re right.” Dot kept looking through her bag.
“Dot,” Mary said. “Dot, look at me.”
Dot looked up and met her friend’s eyes.
Mary reached for Dot’s hand and then grabbed on to Harper’s, too. She looked at them both.
“This is going to be so fun. It’s an adventure. It won’t be perfect. Let’s just roll with it, okay? We may never get the chance to be this spontaneous again. Harper, you’ll be a bestselling author and traveling the world. Dot, you’ll be the CEO of some major company or running the White House. And I’ll be billing hours and going home for Sunday supper for the rest of my life. This isit. This is our chance for one more roll of the dice before permanent life sets in. Okay?” She squeezed their hands.
“Okay.” Dot visibly relaxed.
“Okay,” Harper agreed.
“Can I come for Sunday supper even after I’m a bestselling author?” Harper asked.
“If you play your cards right, I’ll set you up with one of my cousins.”
“Now that’s something to look forward to!”
AS THEY BOARDED,they made their way to their seats. Each of them had a window seat on the small jet bound for Milwaukee.
Mary sent a text to their group chat.
“Wow, Dot. You were right. Sitting next to a handsome man!”
“Nice!” Dot typed.
“But he’s already committed.”
“Married?”
“Yes.”
Then Mary sent a selfie of her and her seatmate. She looked gorgeous in her black Alo leisurewear, her hair tossed into a messy bun on top of her head. And he looked handsome in his priest’s collar.