Chapter 16

Lizzie got an email from J.J. later that evening. He was brief and to the point.

“You asked how I’ve been doing, but I can’t possibly answer that question in an email. We could talk on the phone if you like, or if you’re up for it, you could fly out here for a visit this weekend. I’d really like to see you.”

I looked at Lizzie and I knew she had already made her mind. Lizzie didn’t have classes on Friday. I helped her check flight times, and she quickly emailed her brother back to tell him she’d come the next weekend. She also asked him if she could bring me with her. J.J. said yes and promised to pick us up at the airport.

Friday morning we walked together toward the baggage claim where J.J. had agreed to meet us.

“I can’t believe we’re doing this,” Lizzie said to me as she wheeled her carry-on bag onto the escalator. “Thank you for coming with me, and for using your air miles. I owe you big time.”

“Don’t be silly. J.J. was my best friend for the first ten years of my life so this is important to me too. Besides, how could I pass up an opportunity to spend three whole days with you?”

Lizzie tucked her hair behind her ear and blushed.

“You’re really sweet, Nick.”

We scanned the crowd for Lizzie’s brother. I wasn’t sure I would be able to recognize him.

“Look. There he is,” Lizzie said with voice full of emotion.

My eyes darted toward the direction she indicated. A man was approaching us. He wore loose faded blue jeans, black leather shoes and a blue sweater.

The last time I saw him he was a kid like me. The man walking toward us was nothing like that at all. He had grown muscular over the years, and he kept his dirty blonde hair short.

He stood in front of his sister.

“Lizzie?” he asked.

“Yes, it’s me.” she said, with eyes full of tears.

“Wow.” His expression warmed. “Look at you. I can’t believe it. The last time I saw you, you were a skinny child.”

He held out his arms and she eagerly stepped into them. “It’s good to see you, sis,” he said softly. “I’m glad you wrote.”

“Me, too,” she replied wiping the tears in her eyes.

He turned to me. “And it’s great to see you too, man.”

We shook hands. “How weird is this, Nick? After all these years...”

“Thanks for having us,” I said.

J.J. glanced back and forth between the two of us and wagged a finger. “So ... are you guys a couple, or what?”

“No, we’re just friends,” I quickly explained. “We only reconnected a few days ago.”

“Nick has been helping me out,” Lizzie added. “Getting me through a few rough patches.”

J.J. continued to stare at the two of us as if baffled by our explanation but he didn’t seem to want to pry. Instead, he gestured toward the main doors. “My car is parked just outside. Do you have any bags to pick up or just your carry-ons?”

“Just these.” I pulled my suitcase on its squeaky wheels.

“Did your wife come with you?” Lizzie asked looking around.

“No, Meg is at home. She took the day off. Hope you like pizza.”

“I love pizza,” I said as we followed J.J. to his car. It looked as if it had seen better days. I suspected he’d picked it up secondhand.

As soon as we were on the road J.J. asked questions like: ‘How was the flight?’ ‘So you’re in med school now?’ ‘You’re a cop, Nick?’ Before long, the small talk switched gears and took the inevitable turn.

“How’s Wendy?” J.J. asked. “She must be what ... in her third or fourth year of a residency by now? What did she end up choosing as a specialty?”

Lizzie glanced over her shoulder at me. I was seated in the back. I nodded.

“Would you mind pulling over for a minute?” Lizzie pointed to the side of the road. “We need to stop.”

“Are you feeling okay?” J.J. shot his sister a worried glance. The wheels hit the gravel and it grew noisy in the car until the vehicle came to a halt.

Lizzie reached for the door handle. “Let’s take a walk.”

J.J. hesitated before getting out of the car.