Page 121 of The Design of Goodbye
Skeptical, I asked, “Why?”
“I thought you might want to talk.”
I looked at my lap. “I don’t know if I can.”
“That’s fine. We’ll enjoy the break, okay?”
I nodded and followed her out of The Magic Room. She’d placed two steaming cups of tea near the backdoor of the shop, which we grabbed before heading outside. We leaned against the brick building and got comfortable. The air was still, and snow was coming down in big thick snowflakes.
“So,” spoke Taylor, “is everything okay with you and Liam?”
“Of course,” I said quickly. “The reason I’m upset has nothing to do with him.”
“Oh, good.” Her relief was palpable. “Do you want to tell me what’s wrong?”
“I want to, but I can’t.” I couldn’t, because she didn’t know the truth. She thought my mom was in Paris.
“Why not?”
I considered her question. Why couldn’t I? I could tell her if I wanted to. Nothing was physically preventing me, only my personal walls. But if I told her, would she leave me?
Liam hadn’t, so maybe she wouldn’t...
“I lied to you.”
She faced me. “About what?”
I wrapped my free arm around myself. “My mom.”
“What about her?” When my silence went on too long, she asked, “She’s not in Paris, is she?”
“No.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Strange how the two words I was so scared to say myself were all I needed to hear.
“All she left me was a letter. With no explanation,” I said suddenly, surprising myself.
“What a bitch.”
I laughed.
She rested her head on my shoulder. “Do you know where she is?”
“I didn’t. Until last night.”
Her head popped up. “Where is she?”
“Traverse City.”
She blinked. “But that’s...”
“So close.” I sighed. “I know. I would’ve preferred for her to be in Paris. It’s harder to accept she’s been living less than an hour away and never contacted me.”
We both took long sips of our tea, needing the warmth.
“I hate you’ve been dealing with this on your own,” she said. “I feel like a terrible friend.”
