Bell nibbled at her bottom lip and twisted her fingers in the sack that rested on her lap. I turned in my seat so that I was fully facing her. “What’s wrong?”

Her gaze lifted to meet mine. “I wanted to take you with me to do this thing I do every week or so. But now I’m wondering if that was a horrible idea.”

“Why don’t you tell me what you were thinking, and then I’ll let you know if it’s as bad of an idea as that one time you wanted to go cliff jumping in November.”

Bell chuckled. “Hopefully, it’s not that bad.” She released her hold on the bag, her eyes never leaving mine, carefully assessing any reaction I might have. “I like to take picnics to Vi’s grave.” My heart stuttered in my chest, but I didn’t say a word. Bell pressed on. “I miss her. Miss talking to her. Even when she didn’t understand me, she was always there. So, I go and eat lunch and tell her about my week. Share crazy stories from the bar, what I’m reading, any whale sightings I’ve had.”

“She always loved the orcas.”

Bell pressed her lips together and nodded. “She did.” We were silent for a brief moment. “Do you think it’s weird?”

Some people might find it morbid, bringing a picnic lunch to a grave. I’m sure people in town gossiped about it like crazy. But I knew the heart behind it. “I went there for the first time yesterday.”

Bell sucked in a sharp breath. “How was it?”

“A lot less painful than I thought it would be. It was kind of nice.” I ran a hand through my hair. “That’s not the right word. It was peaceful. Like there was another little piece of closure. I can see why you like going there.”

“Do you want to go with me?”

The hope in Bell’s eyes damn near killed me. “Yes, I want to go with you.”

Bell let out a shaky breath. “Okay. I had Hank make your favorite.” She lifted the bag in her lap.

“Turkey club, extra cheddar?”

“And fries with honey mustard.” My stomach growled at her words, and Bell dissolved into laughter. “It’s good to know some things haven’t changed.”

“Never have, and never will. I swear that turkey club has haunted me.” I pulled out of the parking lot and started towards the graveyard where Violet rested, the music of Bell’s laughter lightening the pressure in my chest as we razzed each other about past memories. God, I’d missed this. So much it seemed impossible that I’d stayed away this long.

I pulled to the side of the street opposite the church, and Bell grew serious. “You really don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”