“Of course you’re coming with me, you silly kitty,” I say, scooping him up into my arms. “But I think you might regret your decision. We’re going to be in a car for a while.”

32

Olive

When we go see him…

Taking a road trip is something of a rite of passage in America.

It involves leaving home, usually somewhere out east, and exploring a world outside of your comfort zone while traveling through big cities and small towns, traversing bridges and dusty roads.

One of the most beautiful things about it is that it embodies what life is about, the journey rather than the destination. It’s about going somewhere but it's also about the process of getting there.

In my case, I have a faint idea of where I am going but not what is going to happen when I get there. Nicholas and I are no longer together and this is not going to be a rekindling of our relationship.

I’m going there to see him one more time. I want to make things right between us but not return to the way they were before.

I’m not foolish enough to think that we will ever be those people again.

Around noon, I drive around a huge lake whose waters sparkle in the sunlight. I can’t help but pull over and take a selfie. Solly, who has been sitting in my lap since we left the motel, gets nervous by the sudden change of environment.

“It’s okay, I’m not leaving,” I say. “I’m just taking a picture.”

I try to make one where we could be in it together but he refuses to cooperate.

A few hours later, I see the sign for Hungry Horse Reservoir. I drive over a small bridge and go toward the campgrounds down a gravel road that seems to go on forever. The road is lined on both sides by towering pine trees which on occasion, are interspersed with meadows.

“Am I even going the right way?” I ask Solly who simply purrs in response.

I check the gas tank. At least, I have enough to drive back out in case I’m going the wrong direction.

I pass the first campground and keep going. It’s further down. Ten slow miles later, I come upon a clearing.

I drive up there and look down at the reservoir below. Under the cloudless, bright blue sky, the water looks like it’s dotted with millions of diamonds.

I leave Solly in the car and get out. I walk past a few pine trees and that's when I see him, sitting with his back to me on a makeshift picnic table.

He’s wearing a tight, long sleeve shirt which shows off every muscle in his back.

Somehow, I had managed to forget how sexy he is and seeing him again takes me by surprise.