The Ghostlight Girls | Part Two | Trinee

Chapter Nine

 The next morning, after breakfast, I ask Dad to drive me over to Cerys' house. Turns out she lives just a few blocks away. Her mom is in the front garden with a pair of shears, cutting their coneflowers right down to the crown. She looks up and waves as we pull into the driveway.

Dad parks the car and jumps out, strolling over to go yak at Cerys' mom. Meanwhile, I motion for Cerys to hop into the backseat with me.

"Hey, Trinee," she greets me with a smile.

"Hey, girl! Looking fabulous today," I compliment her. And it's true—Cerys is rocking a sundress with a beautiful flower pattern, oversized brown shades, and stylish sandals.

"Aww, thanks. You look great too."

I glance down at my black skirt and fishnet leggings, my white tank top. "Girl, I always look good, I don't need you to tell me that," I tease, and she laughs. "I'm so excited to show you around Broadway," I add as I roll down the window. Then I lean out and yell, "Yo Dad, let's GO!"

Dad waves me off playfully, but he wraps up his conversation, says goodbye, and jogs back to the car. "Be careful, honey!" Cerys' mom calls after us.

"Love you, Mom!" Cerys yells right in my ear as she waves over my shoulder. It might sound strange, but it's an amazing feeling, even if it hurts my dang ear. I mean, isn't this what friends do? Mess around and act like total weirdos together?

Dad turns to us and asks, "Where to?"

I turn to Cerys. "You like ice cream?"

She smiles. "Who doesn't?"

"You been to Scoops of Heaven yet?"

Cerys shakes her head, looking puzzled.

I can't help but grin. "Girl, you're about to get a proper Gate City welcome!"

# # #

We're early enough to beat the lunch rush, and Dad even finds street parking right outside the ice cream shop. "You coming in?" I ask him.

"Nah, I'll give you girls your privacy. I'm going home to work on Ruby. Here, treat your friend," he says, handing me a twenty. "Give me a buzz when you need a ride home, alright?"

We step out of the car and onto the sidewalk. I wave goodbye to Dad as he drives off onto Broadway.

Cerys gives me a curious look. "Who's Ruby?

I roll my eyes. "That's the name my dad gave his classic Ford Mustang. Any guesses on her color?"

Cerys pretends to think. "Hmm... I don't know. Green?"

"I didn't say her name was Emerald, did I?" I say in mock anger, and we both giggle. "Come on, you have to see this."

So we go inside and the girl behind the counter says welcome. She has a visor style cap and way too much makeup, but she makes it work anyway. I gesture dramatically at the glass counter. "Look! They... have... SAMPLES!"

"Will you behave? You're embarrassing me," Cerys scolds me, but she's laughing.

The girl behind the counter serves us with what must be infinite patience. I know I'm being a little obnoxious but I'm just so happy. I probably try at least five different flavors before I settle on Brownie Batter. It's just so rich I can't pass it up.

Meanwhile, Cerys tries one, doesn't like it, apologizes, then settles on Lavender Honey without even taking a sample. Girl doesn't like to make waves, I figure. Maybe I should rein it in a little, so she doesn't decide I'm too much for her.