Change of Plans

Chapter 1

When the wind of change blows, some build walls while others build windmills.

―Chinese Proverb

Will you remember me in ten years?

I read the back of the photograph and held it to my chest.

Will you remember me in ten years?

I looked at the photo again, rereading the words that weren't meant for me and wiped a tear that threatened to smudge it. "Oh Dad," I whispered. "How could anyone ever forget you?"

His photographs were all that I had left. I would never again hear his voice or laugh along with him just because his laughter was that infectious or get the chance to make fun of the lines on his face whenever he smiled. Oh, what I wouldn't give to see his smiling face again just for a second.

"Camille? Can I come in?"

The voice belonged to my best friend, April. With a heavy sigh, I tucked the photo under my pillow and lay back down before the door opened.

"Hey," she said softly. I felt the bed dip and then she was gently rubbing my back. "How are you feeling?"

"Like my dad just died."

She attempted to hug me but since I was lying facedown, she only managed to cover my back. "Have you eaten today?" she asked, wisely choosing to ignore my response.

"Only my feelings." Aka my weight in chocolate and ice cream. A combination that was supposed to reduce my sadness. I didn't work, of course. I was feeling just as awful as I did yesterday and the day before that, and the day before that.

"At least you ate something. How about hygiene? Have you taken a bath since yesterday?"

I shook my head and she sighed. "Cam, you need to at least do that."

I rolled onto my back and peered at her. Concern creased her brow. "Am I not allowed to marinate in my sadness?"

"Marinate, yes. But doing so without taking a shower first? No."

I pulled my blanket to my chin and ducked under, only to have it ripped off of me. "Shower first," April reminded me.

"Is it safe for me to enter?"

I turned my attention to the door where Jason, my only other friend and April's boyfriend stood with his hand in the air, ready to knock.

"Thank God you're here," I said, fixing myself upright.

"Happy to be here." He kissed my forehead and hugged April. "Hey, babe."

I gagged a little when he kissed her and reached for my cell to avoid their make out scene that was no doubt coming.

I popped in my headphone as Drink a beer, by Luke Bryan started playing and smiled despite the circumstances. My father hated country music but somehow this song seemed so fitting given the state of affairs of our lives at the moment.

"...so I'm gonna sit right here, on the edge of this pier and watch the sunset disappear, and drink a beer. Funny how the good ones go too soon but the good Lord knows the reasons why y.." The music suddenly stopped, opening my eyes to investigate, I found April holding the plug of my headphone.

I raised my brow. "Explain yourself."

"You have visitors," she said, motioning toward my bedroom door where two women stood looking at me expectantly.

"What are they doing up here?" I whispered to April, wondering who they were and what gave them the right to just enter someone else's home without permission. Surely that was still considered rude, not to mention illegal.