Goodbye Yellow Brick Road ✔︎

1 | Goodbye Mason Academy

"Tempting, but no," she says. "You kids run along."

The sarcasm is normal, but I don't like her rapid retreat. "I'm gonna pass, too," I tell Glenn. "Find me again when you get back to town."

His quiet sigh is a protest, but his arms drop.

"Megan Montes," I say, jogging to catch up. "Let's go get those flowers."

She stops dramatically and watches Glenn lope to his truck. Then she love-punches my arm. "Don't be an idiot. Go to Chesapeake. Make Glenn pull over somewhere private and do something to get your mind off of all this."

I snort a laugh. "He's buying generators," I remind her. "My dad said it's going to take three-to-four weeks to repair the substation and Glenn's dad..."

My throat closes.

"Shit," Megan says, glancing at Glenn. "I didn't think about that."

I hadn't either—not since last night when I overheard Dad.

"I should probably go with Glenn," I say.

"You think?"

"Come with us. We can grab lunch at that place you like."

Megan shakes her head. "This is a big change." She throws out an arm, indicating the vast expanse of blue sky, previously occupied by our school complex. "You and I don't process the same. I'm ready to look forward, but you need to wallow first—am I right?"

My eyes start to sting again. So yeah, I guess she is.

"Go to Chesapeake with your boy. He's a good listener."

I can't help but grin at our inside joke—Megan's positive spin on the thing I like least about my boyfriend: Glenn's not much of a talker.

"And also..." She pulls me into a side hug and escorts me to the truck. "Mom's making me drive her ass all over this overgrown county. We have to check on every single one of her listings to make sure her fancy real estate signs are still standing."

"Yikes, sorry," I say, giving her my best empathetic grimace.

She swipes a dismissive hand through the air and opens the truck door. My tears start the moment she closes me into the cab, but I manage to hold off the flood until she gets in her car, backs into a skillful three-point turn and zooms away.

My best friend knows me well. I keep my teary eyes on the exhaust stained highway, walled in by hardwood trees, and picture the life I'm supposed to be heading for: Megan and I finally getting to cheer on Mason's football team from the senior section. Homecoming. The very favorable odds that I'd be chosen to captain the Math League in our final, and no doubt award-winning year. Shopping for prom. Talking Glenn into taking me to prom.

And finally, Graduation. I don't love the idea of giving a speech in our packed auditorium—even if it is small—but I'd do it. I've worked so hard to stay at the top of our class.

Glenn squeezes my hand, bringing me back to reality. The truck is parked in front of the hardware store. "You um..." He reaches across me and fishes a worn bandana out of the glove box.

I pull down the visor and check the mirror. More decimation.

"I'll go on inside," he says, opening his door—and I feel like an ass. Glenn already has enough to worry about. I get the mascara situation under control and follow him. But there's nothing for me to do but stay out of the way.

I wait until the generators are loaded and we're back on the road before I ask about his dad. Glenn tightens his grip on the steering wheel. The hand on my knee lifts for a moment and he shakes his head. "He'll rest easier when we get a fan blowing on him," he says, finally.