As for Shayne, she still needs to sit for her state boards, but I know my girl, and she’s got this. There is already a salon in town, the one my mom goes to, and my sister did as well before going to college, that has offered her a position. She’ll be answering phones and other odds and ends until she passes her test. I’m so damn proud of her for reaching for her dreams.
Shayne snuggles closer and releases a sigh of contentment. I tighten my hold on her and close my eyes, savoring the feeling of her lying on my chest. It’s an action I will never take for granted. Having her here and having her close. Knowing that I’m holding my forever, I finally drift off to sleep.
Shayne
“You did it,” my uncle Henry proclaims as he pulls me into a hug.
“We’re so proud of you, sweetie,” Aunt Joan announces happily as she patiently waits for her turn.
We’re gathering at a local restaurant with family to celebrate my official graduation from cosmetology school. It was a fun thirteen months, and I’m anxious to take my state test so I can start my new career. I’m lucky to have been offered a station in a small salon in Cooper with three other stylists, two having worked in the industry for more than two decades each. It’s going to be great learning from their experience as I grow my skills and my clientele.
My aunt, uncle, and cousin Cassie made the trip here, along with Chad, who took a weekend leave to come. He decided to stay in the army, signing for another two years after Ford left. There’s been talk of him transferring to a different base in the near future, so I’m glad to steal a little time with him.
In addition to my family, Ford’s mom and dad, as well as his sister are here. It’s the first time Faith and Chad have seen each other in a few months. I’m not really sure what happened with them. They were gung-ho about keeping in touch, but then all of a sudden, it just stopped. Someone put on the brakes, but neither of them are really saying much. All Faith has really said is that if they were meant to be, they’d find a way.
After dinner today, everyone is going back to our apartment to finish packing the U-Haul. We leave bright and early in the morning, heading back to Cooper. Ford said he found an apartment for us that’ll work until something bigger and better comes along, and Faith is moving in with their parents for the same reason. She says she doesn’t want to commit to an apartment until she finds a job. Especially since she’s searching within an hour radius of where her parents live. She’ll want to live wherever she works, which makes sense to me.
“Hey!” Chad offers a wide smile and a warm hug the moment he steps inside the restaurant. His hair is cut in the familiar buzz I’ve grown accustomed to, but there’s something different about his eyes. They’re sad.
“What’s wrong?” I whisper as soon as his arms are around me.
“Nothing,” he insists, shooting me a reassuring grin, but I don’t buy it. I’ve known him too long to not spot his tells.
My eyebrows arch together in question, and my arms cross over my chest.
Chad is saved from answering as Ford comes over to say hello to his best friend. “Hey, man,” he offers, foregoing the handshakes and offering a hug. “What’s the matter?”
I can’t help but smile in victory. Even Ford knows something’s up.
Chad sighs. “Now’s not the time, okay?” he whispers, glancing around until he spies Faith. Something washes over him as a slow grin spreads across his lips.
“You’ll tell us later?” I ask, trying not to draw attention to his discomfort.
“Yeah. Listen, I’m going to go say hello, okay?” And then he’s gone, heading straight for Faith.
We enjoy dinner and visit for much longer than we should, considering we’re at a restaurant until the party eventually breaks up. Everyone is staying at a local hotel for the evening and will be meeting us at the apartment at eight tomorrow morning for the big move.
“I’m going to ride with Chad,” Faith mutters as we all head for the exit, our bellies full of amazing food.
I can’t help but grin. “Oh, you are, are you?” I waggle my eyebrows suggestively, making her laugh.
“Stop it. We’re going to talk. He says he has something to tell me,” She replies nervously. “I hope everything’s okay.”
“I’m sure it is,” I encourage, giving her a quick hug. “Thank you for helping organize this dinner.”
“Well, we’re all so proud of you. I just hope I get a teaching job close to you so I can get free haircuts for the rest of my life,” Faith teases, winking. She was my favorite guinea pig while in school but always insisted on paying for the service, even when it was supposed to be free.