“Tomorrow.”
Rosa stared.
“What happens tomorrow?”
Cole looked toward the parking lot.
“Mateo lands in Oklahoma City at eleven forty.”
Rosa covered her mouth.
Her eyes flooded instantly.
“No.”
Cole nodded.
“He found out this morning.”
“Why didn't he call me?”
“He wants to surprise her.”
“I hate surprises.”
“I told him.”
“What did he say?”
“That you would.”
Rosa laughed through tears.
“My idiot son.”
Cole nodded.
“His exact personality.”
She hit his arm.
Then she looked toward Emma.
Emma was sitting near Ben’s motorcycle while Ben gave an absurdly detailed explanation of handlebars.
“Tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow.”
Rosa wiped her eyes quickly.
“What do we do?”
Cole smiled.
“That's the second promise.”
The following morning, Emma woke annoyed.
Fishing day had ended.
The bikers were supposed to leave.
Her father was still overseas.
And Rosa insisted Emma wear the yellow butterfly dress again.
“I wore it yesterday.”
“It is clean.”
“I wanted purple.”
“Yellow.”
“Why?”
“Because I said.”
“That isn't a reason.”
“It becomes one when I’m the grandmother.”
Emma hated this legal structure.
At nine, motorcycle engines returned.
Emma rolled down the ramp.
Cole waited at the driveway.
“You're still here!”
“Unfortunately.”
“Grandma said you were leaving.”
“Your grandma lies.”
Rosa appeared behind Emma.
“Careful.”
Cole raised both hands.
“Emotional measurements.”
Emma laughed.
“Where are we going?”
“Gas station.”
Emma frowned.
“Across the road?”
“Yes.”
“That is not an adventure.”
“Harsh.”
The riders parked at Murphy’s exactly as they had two mornings earlier.
But now there were more people.
Deputy Harris.
Mrs. Reynolds.
Several townspeople.
The station owner.
A local fire crew.
Emma looked around.
“What is happening?”
Rosa answered too quickly.
“Nothing.”
Emma narrowed her eyes.
“Everybody is bad at secrets.”
Cole positioned Emma near the same pump beside his motorcycle.
She looked around.
“Are we taking a picture?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you're famous.”
“I am?”
“No.”
Emma rolled her eyes.
Then the highway became quiet.
Not completely.
But quiet enough that everyone began watching south.
Emma followed their gaze.
A black SUV appeared in the distance.
Her heart did not react yet.
She had no reason.
The SUV approached.
Turned into Murphy’s.
Stopped.
The driver stepped out.
Then the passenger door opened.