Kristin Hannah - Firefly Lane

The drive home from British Columbia seemed to take forever. The air conditioner in the station wagon was broken, so warm air tumbled from the useless vents. Everyone was hot and tired and dirty. And still Mom and Dad wanted to sing songs. They kept bugging the kids to sing along.

Kate couldnt stand how lame it was. Mom, will you please tell Sean to quit touching my shoulder?

Her brother burped and started laughing. The dog barked wildly.

In the front seat, Dad leaned forward and turned on the radio. John Denvers voice floated through the speakers with Thank God Im a Country Boy. Thats all Im singing, Margie. If they dont want to join in ... fine.

Kate returned to her book. The car bounced so much the words danced on the page, but that didnt matter,- not with as many times as shed read The Lord oj the Rings.

I am glad you are here with me. Here at the end oj all things.

Katie. Kathleen.

She looked up. Yeah?

Were home, her dad said. Put that dang book down and help us unload the car.

Can I call Tully first?

No. Youll unpack first.

Kate slapped her book shut. For seven days shed been waiting to make that call. But unloading the car was more important. Fine. But Sean better help.

Her mother sighed. You just worry about yourself, Kathleen.

They piled out of the smelly station wagon and began the end-ofvacation ritual. By the time they finished, it was dark. Kate put the last of her clothes into the pile on the laundry room floor, started the first load, then went to find her mom, who was sitting on the sofa with Dad. They were leaning against each other, looking dazed.

Can I call Tully now?

Dad consulted his watch. At nine-thirty? Im sure her grandmother would really appreciate that.

But

Goodnight, Katie, her dad said firmly, looping his arm around Mom and pulling her close.

This is so not fair.

Mom laughed. Whoever told you life would be fair? Now go to bed.

For almost four hours Tully stood at the corner of her house, watching the Mularkeys unload their car. Shed thought about running up the hill a dozen times, just showing up, but she wasnt ready for the boisterousness of the whole family just yet. She wanted to be alone with Kate, someplace quiet where they could talk.

So she waited until the lights went out and then crossed the street. In the grass beneath Kates window, she waited another thirty minutes, just to be sure.

Off to her left somewhere, she could hear Sweetpea nickering at her and pawing at the ground. No doubt the old mare was looking for company, too. During the camping trip a neighbor had fed the horse, but that wasnt the same as being loved.

I know, girl, Tully said, sitting down. She wrapped her arms around her bent legs, hugging herself. Maybe she should have called instead of stalking them like this. But Mrs. Mularkey might have told her to come by tomorrow, that they were tired from their long drive, and Tully couldnt wait anymore. This loneliness was more than she could handle by herself.

Finally, at eleven oclock, she stood up, brushed the grass off her jeans, and threw a piece of gravel at Kates window.

It took four tosses before her friend stuck her head out the window. Tully! Kate ducked back into her room and slammed the window shut. It took less than a minute for her to appear at the side of the house. Wearing a Bionic Woman nightshirt, her old black-rimmed glasses, and her retainer, Kate ran for Tully, arms outstretched.

Tully felt Kates arms wrap around her and for the first time in days, she felt safe.

I missed you so much, Kate said, tightening her hold.

Tully couldnt answer. It was all she could do not to cry. She wondered if Kate knew, really knew, how important their friendship was to her. I got our bikes, she said, stepping back, looking away so Kate wouldnt see her moist eyes.

Cool.

Within minutes they were on their way, flying down Summer Hill, their hands outstretched to catch the wind. At the bottom of the hill, they ditched their bikes in the trees and walked down the long and winding road to the river. All around them trees chattered among themselves,- the wind sighed, and leaves fluttered down from branches in an early sign of the coming autumn.

Kate flopped down in their old spot, her back rested against the mossy log, her feet stretched out in the grass that had grown tall in their absence.

Tully felt an unexpected pinch of nostalgia for their youth. Theyd spent most of one summer here, taking their separate, lonely lives and braiding them into a rope of friendship. She lay down beside Kate, scooting close enough that their shoulders were touching. After the last few days, she needed to know that her best friend was finally beside her. She positioned her transistor radio nearby and turned up the volume.

Hell Week with Bugs was even worse than usual, Kate said. I did talk Sean into eating a slug, though. It was worth the weeks allowance lost. She giggled. You should have seen his face when I started laughing. Aunt Georgia tried to talk to me about birth control. Can you believe it? She said I should

Do you even know how lucky you are? The words were out before Tully could stop them, spilling like jelly beans from a machine.

Kate shifted her weight and turned, until she was lying sideways in the grass, looking at Tully. You usually want to hear everything about the camping trip.

Yeah, well. Ive had a bad week.

Did you get fired?

Thats your idea of a bad week? I want your perfect life, just for a day.

Kate drew back, frowning. You sound pissed at me.

Not at you. Tully sighed. Youre my best friend.

So, who are you mad at?

Cloud. Gran. God. Take your pick. She took a deep breath and said, Gran died while you were gone.

Oh, Tully.

And there it was, what Tully had been waiting for all week. Someone who loved her and was truly sorry for her. Tears stung her eyes,- before she knew it, she was crying. Big, gulping sobs that wracked her body and made it impossible to breathe, and all the while, Kate held her, letting her cry, saying nothing.

When there were no tears left inside, Tully smiled shakily. Thanks for not saying you felt sorry for me.

I am, though.

I know. Tully lay back against the log and stared up at the night sky. She wanted to admit that she was scared and that as alone as shed Sometimes felt in life, she knew now what real loneliness was, but she couldnt say the words, not even to Kate. Thoughtseven fearswere airy things, formless until you made them solid with your voice, and once given that weight, they could crush you.

Kate waited a moment, then said, So what will happen?

Tully wiped her eyes and reached into her pocket, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. Lighting one up, she took a drag and coughed. It had been years since shed smoked. I have to go into foster care. Its only for a while, though. When Im eighteen I can live alone.

Youre not going to live with strangers, Kate said fiercely. Ill find Cloud and make her do the right thing.

Tully didnt bother answering. She loved her friend for saying it, but they lived in two different worlds, she and Kate. In Tullys world, moms werent there to help you out. What mattered was making your own way.