NO LONGER THERE

CLUSTER FOUR

DATE NIGHT

"Wake up sleepy head."

I sang in Hershey Kisses' ear.

"Could you please get your stinky breath out of my face?"

She covered her nose and frowned. I breathed even harder.

"Dragon breath," she shouted and jumped out of bed.

"Come here breakfast meat," I shouted back as I chased her around the suite.

Roxy opened the adjoining door. She was fully dressed. I stopped tickling Hershey long enough to ask, "What are you doing dressed? This a PJ, bra and panty weekend."

"Hurry, Auntie Roxy. Get undressed before she blows her dragon breath all over you."

I returned to tickling Hershey. Roxy chuckled, then walked to the door with her luggage and  purse. Hershey and I both paused and stared Roxy like she had three heads. Then, she answered the question before we could ask.

"I'm going back to Austin guys."

I stood. "Why?"

"I don't want to be killed." She winked and smiled.

I snapped my fingers. "Hershey Kiss, shower and brush your teeth."

She sucked her teeth. "Why? It's girls weekend."

"Not funky girls weekend. Shower missy or no shopping spree for you."

Rolling her eyes, she stomped away.

I whispered to Roxy. "You heard me talking to Bryce?"

"If you would have been whispering at three A.M I probably wouldn't have, but you weren't and I heard you loud and clear."

I covered my face with my hands. "I'm so sorry Roxy. It was just a joke though. You have to know that."

"It wasn't a joke, it's the truth and Abes, I'm not mad. You need this time with Hershey. Your family is having a tough time right now. I tried to help and in doing so have overstepped my bounds. Auntie Roxy cannot replace Abes, and I, my sweet, anal best friend, cannot force you to do something you aren't ready to do. Enjoy this time with your family, and I will hold it down in Austin until you get back, okay?"

I was ashamed, yet relieved. "Roxy, I don't know what to say."

She hugged me. "You can say Roxy your raise will be seen in your next check and you're the most awesome best friend ever."

I laughed. "Done, and Roxanne Sanders, you are the most awesome best everything ever, and I love you."

We both teared up.

"Great," she whispered. "Now go brush your teeth dragon breath."

When Roxy closed the door, Hershey walked out of the bathroom with toothpaste all over her lips and her toothbrush in her mouth. "Did Auntie Roxy really leave?"

I nodded.

"What am I supposed to do when you start working again?"

"You won't have to find out because my phone is off and my laptop is in the safe. I'll only be talking to you for the next twenty-four hours."

Hershey ran to the window. "Auntie Roxy," she shouted. "Take me with you."

I ran up behind her and tickled her sweaty armpits while blowing my breath in her face. She collapsed like the wicked witch of the west as she yelled, "Dragon breath is killing me. Auntie Roxy, I've sacrificed myself for you. Please, tell my story."