Chapter 3

My eyes dropped to the paper bag.

It had a blue cover featuring Lake Tahoe.

Before, I would’ve just given in.

It was a little habit of mine to keep my train tickets, admission tickets, and photos in a journal.

The journal from our high school graduation trip still sat on the top shelf of my bookcase.

It held the first picture we ever took as a group.

That was the first time Clarice ever wrote anything to me.

“From now on, you’re coming with me wherever I go.”

I lowered my gaze. “No, thanks.”

Kyle’s arm was left hanging in the air. “Do you despise me or something?”

Clarice’s voice was laced with criticism. “James, he’s hurting.”

I replied, “How so?”

Kyle’s eyes glistened with tears. “Forget it. I’ll just go, Clarice. I don’t want to be the reason you’re fighting.”

Clarice glanced at me before grabbing her jacket. “I’ll walk him out.”

I didn’t stop her.

The door shut with a soft click.

Yet somehow, that moment seemed to carry away the last trace of warmth in the room.

Clarice wasn’t back half an hour later.

An hour passed, and Kyle posted an update on his social media.

The photo was taken at a cozy little restaurant.

There were two dinners laid out on the table, and a woman’s hand was peeling shrimp for him.

The caption read, “Nothing can turn a bad day around quite like good food.”

I tapped on the photo.

On the wrist was the bracelet I had bought for Clarice.

I saved three months of my salary to get her the piece of jewelry when she got a work promotion last year.

Clarice told me it was too dressy, too impractical for everyday wear.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t get used to it.

Clarice simply didn’t wear it for me.

My phone buzzed.

It was a message from Clarice. “Kyle’s not feeling great, so I’ll be back later. Take some time to cool off.”

Staring at the text, I lost the will to speak.

I unpinned her chat from the top of my inbox.

Then, I pulled down our graduation trip journal from the bookshelf.

The cover was worn out, the edges frayed from years of use.

I flipped to the last page.

The promise about taking me on every adventure was still there.

The ink had faded.

I slipped the journal into the inner compartment of my suitcase.

The sound of the door lock turning echoed through.

Clarice was back.

Kyle’s woody cologne lingered on her.

Her expression soured when she saw me packing. “Are you still at it?”

I shut the suitcase.

“Clarice, I’ll really be gone on Sunday.”

She chuckled, her tone indifferent and certain. “You wouldn’t.”

…

Kyle arrived early on a Sunday morning before my alarm clock went off.

He showed up outside our door with breakfast and smiled like no bad blood ever happened.

“James, I picked up your favorite iced coffee and breakfast sandwiches. Let’s eat before I take you to the airport.”

I glanced at the bag in his hand.

The drink inside was ice cold.

The sandwich filler was shrimp.

Shellfish triggered my allergies.

I didn’t accept the food. “Thank you, but I’m good.”

Kyle paused before turning to Clarice. “Did I mess up the order again?”

While buttoning up her dress, Clarice turned her attention to me. “I thought you’d enjoy a sandwich for breakfast.”

I replied, “I can’t have seafood.”

Clarice froze.

Kyle was quick to apologize. “I’m sorry, James. It slipped my mind. I’ll get you something else right now.”

Clarice took the bag from Kyle. “Don’t bother. He can skip breakfast for all we care.”

I dragged my suitcase out.

Clarice got in my way. “I’ll take you.”

“I’m fine.”

“James.” Her voice dropped low. “Don’t turn this into something it’s not.”

Kyle murmured, “James, let Clarice drop you off at the airport. It’s a pain carrying all the bags on your own.”

I looked at Clarice.

Her eyes reflected weariness and annoyance.

The only thing missing was genuine concern.

I released my grip on the handle. “Fine.”

The ride to the destination was quiet.

Kyle sat in the front passenger seat.

He said that he was meeting a colleague who happened to reside near the airport anyway.