Playlist

18. "River" - Bishop Briggs

I've been in Tillamook for two days. I'm sitting on the front porch, a book in my lap and a cigarette in my hand. Aunt Lucy had done a huge book haul while I was gone; she bought close to 30 books, and she's already done with half of them. She gave me a couple to read she thought I'd like, and so far this first one is good. I take a deep breath and think for a few moments. Fuck it. I text Luke, my stomach in knots. All I sent was: "Do I need to come into work?" There wasn't a response. Within 20 minutes, however, my phone trills loudly. Answering it, I don't get a word in edge-wise.

"Dakota Apollo Penning! How dare you come back and not even tell me! I've missed you, and there are things that have happened that I've wanted to tell you, and you're sitting in your cabin on the hill all fine while I'm worried sick about you. What are you doing? Will you come over? I have Elera today, and I know she misses you, too. We're baking and watching Disney movies - can you believe she's never seen a Disney movie before? - and I really, really want to see you."

A smile is on my lips, and I close the book in my lap. "Hello to you, too, Lune."

"And what the fuck - oh, shit, sorry Elera - what the fudge did you do to Luke? We have a lot to talk about."

"I'll get dressed and head that way."

"Really?!"

"Yeah. And I'll tell you everything you want to know."

❧

I know Lune missed me, but I barely got out of my car before she ran out of the front door and hugged me. Laughing, I hug her tightly in return. I don't think she does well with distance, but that's okay. I missed her, too. When she leans back, she wipes her eyes, and I laugh lightly. "Are you crying? Don't cry! I'm here, I'm safe. Come on, let's go inside." I take her hand in mine and lead her inside. I can tell she's bubbling over with information and gossip. When I walk into the kitchen, Elera is sitting at the island. When she sees me, she hops down and runs to me. "Dakota!" She jumps into my arms, and I hold her and hug her.

"Hey, girlie."

"I missed you."

"I missed you, too." I set her down and smile at her.

"Are you going to hang out with me and Lune today?" she asks, her eyes wide and hopeful.

"Yep. I am yours for the day."

A bright smile dances across her features, and she goes back to the island. I walk with Lune further into the kitchen; her counters are covered in different baking ingredients: flour, sugar, vanilla extract, butter, baking sheets, a bundt pan, and many others. A Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook: 16th Edition is opened to a recipe for "Salted Caramel-Ginger Macarons," and I smile to myself. I've never been the baking type; I enjoy baking, but I'm not very good at it on my own. Sometimes I even struggle with the boxed shit. Selene has always been into cooking and baking, so she would always have something freshly made - and she'd always invite me to do it with her so I could "learn a thing or two." There is a glass cake pan and a baking sheet filled already: one looks like banana bread and the other looks like chocolate chip cookies. I sit at the island and watch Elera and Lune bustle about. It's interesting, watching them together. I imagine Lune was similar to Elera at her age: bubbly, mature, talented, too intelligent for her own good. They work well together, too. Even baking is like choreography to them. They don't bump into each other; their moves are fluid yet precise.

Dancers, man.

Soon, they put the banana bread, the cookies, and the macarons in the oven. "All right! Dakota, would you like a glass of wine? Oh, you don't do wine. I do have some wine coolers, though!"