He walked over to where she lay curled on the floor, and crouched down to watch her sleep. He reached out to stroke her hair and thought back to the day they had met. Clay had been drawn to Caroline immediately. Her Southern California beach girl look—with her long, sun-streaked blonde hair, green eyes, and sun-kissed face—reminded him of home.
They’d become so close since then, especially since moving in together after college. Aside from work, this girl was his life.
He gently scooped her up in his arms and settled her on top of their bed. He placed a blanket over her and kissed the top of her head before he closed the bedroom door behind him.
Chapter Two
Caroline’s flight landed right on time. Tracey waited for her outside of the baggage claim area in her car. Caroline ran toward the dark blue Jeep Grand Cherokee. The trunk popped open and she tossed her luggage in before running around to the front. Tracey was in the driver’s seat, her short blonde hair in perfect order and her blue eyes glowing. The girls hugged and their joy at seeing each other again quickly dissolved into tears over the loss of one of their best friends.
“You look amazing.” Caroline’s voice hitched as she settled back in her seat after hugging Tracey over the console.
“So do you.”
“I can’t believe I’m back here for this. I never imagined…” Caroline’s voice trailed off. She loved going to school in New York. The city was so alive, vibrant, and full of so many types of people. Living there for five years had given her a perspective she was certain she couldn’t have gained anywhere else. She liked what living in New York had done for her soul. She loved being back, just not under these circumstances.
“At least you get to leave,” Tray mumbled under her breath, as she glanced over her shoulder before pulling out into traffic.
“What do you mean?” Caroline’s face crinkled in confusion.
“Well, you get to leave after it’s all over. I have to stay here and run into our old friends, or Johnny’s mom. I hate you.”
“You could always come back with me, you know?” Caroline’s face lit up. “Oh dear God, Tray, please. Please come back with me!” she begged.
“Whatever. You have Clay. You don’t need me hanging around all third wheel-esque.”
“Clay’s never home. He probably wouldn’t even notice that you moved in for weeks,” Caroline teased.
“You don’t mind though, right?” Tracey looked serious. “That he’s always gone?”
Caroline smiled. “Are you kidding? I love being home alone.”
“Watching reality TV without the sarcastic injections?”
“Among other things, but YES!” The girls giggled. “And I have Bailey, so that’s a plus.”
“I always forget that Bailey’s there,” Tracey remembered.
“She said to tell you hi by the way,” Caroline smiled.
“Ooh, tell her I said hi back! I’m so happy you have her there.”
Caroline laughed. “You’re so weird.”
“What? Why am I weird? You’re the weird one.” Tracey glanced quickly to her right and then back to the road. “I still don’t know how you can just move from city to city without freaking out. You didn’t know anyone when you moved to New York and you didn’t even care. Just thinking about that makes me start sweating!”
“See? You’re the weird one.” Caroline swatted at Tracey’s arm.
“Stop. You’re going to make me crash!” Tracey’s lips curled into a snarl.
Crash.
Memories of Johnny instantly consumed Caroline’s every thought. “Tray,” Caroline took a long breath. “I am so not looking forward to this.”
Tracey looked at her and then quickly looked away. “Tell me about it.” She wiped at her face with the back of her free hand. “Are you going to speak at the funeral?”
“I don’t know…I haven’t decided. Are you?” Caroline smiled, already knowing the answer.
“Are you crazy?” Tracey’s voice got high in pitch. “You know I can’t speak in front of anyone.”
****
The girls arrived at the funeral home about an hour before the service started. When Caroline first got the phone call about Johnny’s death, she had cried for the loss of things he’d never get to do—get married, have kids, or any of that suburban bullshit he probably would have put off for as long as possible anyway. Thoughts of his rebellion made her laugh out loud.
“What are you laughing at?” Tracey asked.
“Nothing. Just thinking.” Caroline smiled softly.
“Inappropriate,” Tracey informed her with a slight frown.
Caroline’s eyebrows raised and her eyes widened. “Right. I forgot how dangerous thinking was. My bad.”
“Good thing I’m here to remind you.” Tracey nodded.
“Seriously. I’d be some inappropriate rule-breaker without you.”
They walked through two large wooden doors into the reception area. The girls noticed Johnny’s mom, Jackie, and gave each other a quick, exasperated look. Caroline had always thought Jackie looked glamorous for her age, but seeing her now, in this setting, she stood out like a bottle of vodka at an AA meeting.
Jackie was dressed in a short black mini skirt with a form-fitting, low cut, black top. Her cleavage welcomed anyone who came near. She had on four-inch black heels that accented her ridiculously perfect legs. Her jet-black hair was pulled tightly into a bun, half her face covered by oversized sunglasses. Caroline thought Jackie looked like she was dressed for a night out on the town, not the funeral of her only child.