Her light-headedness clears as she detects a change in his tone. “What is it?”

“Ever since our birthday last month, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Sequoia’s letter. So, I’m going down to California to scatter her ashes. My parents are coming, too. I’m giving up my classes.”

“That’s wonderful. But why give up your classes? Can’t you find a sub?”

He chews his bottom lip. “The thing is,” he says. “From California, I’m heading down to Costa Rica. An old teacher of mine has offered me a position teaching classes and workshops to tourists at an eco-lodge. The place is right on the beach along the Caribbean coast. I’ve seen pictures online. It looks pretty incredible.”

“Oh,” she says, a bit stunned. “That sounds like an amazing opportunity.” She is embarrassed by how hollow her words of congratulation sound now that she has heard them, but the news of him leaving came as such a surprise, she couldn’t find any other words to reach for. “Those don’t come around every day. Of course, you have to go.” Something in her chest starts unspooling. “I’m just going to miss you, that’s all. I’ve gotten used to you torturing me in class. And of course, group isn’t going to be the same without you.”

“I’m going to miss it, too.”

Silence settles between them for a few tense moments. She tries to think of encouraging things to say, excited things, like a friend should, but instead snags her tongue on disappointments.

“That’s why…” he says at last. “I want you to come with me.”

“Well, of course, I’ll come to California with you, if you don’t think I’d be intruding. You’ve helped me so much this year, I’d love to be able to support you for a change.”

He blinks at her. “Thank you. I appreciate it. And I’m happy to hear that you want to come to California with us. I could definitely use the support. But that’s not exactly what I mean.”

She looks at him, puzzled.

“I want you to come to California with us to scatter Sequoia’s ashes, that’s true. But when my folks go back home, I want you to stay with me, so we can go to Costa Rica together.”

Seconds pass and her mind is blank. Whatever she might have been thinking or feeling before his invitation drops to the floor.

“Hawthorn,” she says. “This is out of the blue.”

“Can you really say that to me?”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t make it sound like it’s all in my head.”

“I have a husband.”

“I know all about him. How he doesn’t talk to you or support you or stand up for you.”