In This Life (Sequel to 'In Another Life')

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I knew if I managed to find a way to stay, that I would be eating that gravy out of respect, and I honestly didn't want to force that disgusting concoction down my throat. "We're just going to run through a drive-thru really quick so that we can make our flight," I answered, grinning at Colby. Mrs. Gail turned to face me, and put her floured hands on her hips. "Now that's not healthy. You need good, wholesome, homemade food." I chuckled at her, and shook my head. "Now, Mrs. Gail, you know tomato gravy is not healthy in any way." She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes at me. "It's still natural ingredients and not all that processed mess they give you at a fast food place. But that's fine. I wouldn't want you to miss your plane. You sure you can't stay just a little longer?" I wanted too. I really did, but, at the same time, I was missing home and my friends. "No ma'am, I wish we could. We'll be back though. I promise. Now that we have an actual home here," I answered, glancing at Colby again. He was leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest, his snapback on his head, watching Mrs. Gail. "OH!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands and making flour fly out, as she turned to Colby. "They sold it to you? Oh, I'm so happy for you two. Terra has always loved that place." Colby smiled at her, and nodded. "Yes ma'am. They didn't want too, at first, but I talked them out of it." She raised her eyebrow with a knowing smile. "I'm sure it took a good chunk of change to get them to change their minds too, huh? Anyway, I think that's absolutely delightful." I frowned, thinking about how much Colby actually spent on that house. I didn't even think about it. Now, it was going to bother me. I brushed my hair behind my ear with my left and almost jumped out of my seat when Mrs. Gail screamed. My head shot up to look at her, my body tensed and ready to try and do something to help. She was staring at me, her hand over her mouth. I noticed that her eyes weren't on me exactly but on my hand. I looked down and saw the elaborate engagement ring. I seemed to keep forgetting that it was on my hand. She rushed towards me, and snatched my hand up, examining it as she turned my hand from side to side. "Does this mean what I think it means?" She asked, her eye going from me to Colby. He grinned, and nodded. "Yes ma'am. I don't know what I did to get so lucky or why she said yes, but now I get to keep her." That line reminded me of one of my favorite movies. It was older and a lot of people hadn't seen it, but the original Casper had a line in it when he turned human that was similar to what Colby had just said. 'Can I keep you?' The line whispered through my head, making me smile as I watched Colby, my heart swelling with love. "Oh," Mrs. Gail replied, her voice shaky. I glanced at her, and saw the tears start to fall from her eyes. "I wish that Amber could be here. To join in your joy. I know she's watching down though. Oh Terra, she would be so happy for you, and giving you so many ideas for the wedding. You know she'd probably try to take over and then marry the best man." I laughed, and shook my head, thinking about what that would have been like. "She definitely would be having fun with it," I answered. "Come here honey," she said, holding her arms out to me. I stood, and let her envelope me in her warm hug. It was nice. Nothing like my cold mother's arms. Mrs. Gail's arms were comforting and she smelled like flour and honey, transporting me back to a time when I was small and liked to suck on the honeysuckle flowers to get the flavor out of them. When she let me go, the entire front of my black t-shirt was covered in flour but I didn't care. I wiped the tears on my face with the back of my hand and sat back down. She turned towards Colby and held her arms out. "You're not getting away so easily Mister. Come on." I laughed, watching Colby blush just a little as he stood up and let the smaller, older lady wrap her arms around his tall frame. "Thank you Mrs. Gail. For your help. For everything," he said quietly, rubbing her back. She pulled back, and smiled up at him. "That's enough of this Mrs. Gail mess. It's Ma for the both of you. Now, I'm so so happy for the both of you. It's good to see you happy Terra, sweetie. I didn't get to see that too much when you were growing up." She frowned, thinking about my childhood, I was guessing. "Anyway, you two probably need to get going unless you're going to stay and eat lunch. I've got a few of the ladies from church coming over to gossip and keep me company. It gets lonely out here by myself sometimes, so I try to get friends over at least once a week." Colby and I stood up, and hugged her one more time. "God, I'm going to miss you so much Ma. You sure you don't wanna run away to LA with us?" I said, after our last hug. She laughed and shook her head. "What would I do out there? That city is probably much too fast for me. I can see it now. I would have to start wearing chains, and dye my hair purple to fit in." She slapped Colby on the arm, winking at him, since she was picking at him about his hair color. Even at 26, he still dyed it every few months just for something new. We both laughed, and said our goodbyes. I held the tears until I got out of her sight. My body shook with my silent sobs as I got in our rental car. "We'll come back and visit soon."