“It’s different even now. I’m always thinking. Will this be the last time I do this or see this person or shop here? As though I don’t want to let any of it go, but I know … I know I’m going to a new adventure.” She presses her lips together. “And this will be better for us, Brian, Olivia, and me.”

“And you get to make new memories.”

“North Carolina is a great state. The ocean, mountains.”

“No snow!”

Sissy says, “I’ve lived in the same place all my life, down the block now from where I was born. My family’s all there. Can’t imagine leaving even though it’s tumbled down around me. You don’t change your friends because circumstances change.” She shrugs. “Guess I stay to make it better.”

“I couldn’t leave no matter what, either,” Jeannie says. “I’ve spent my entire life here. I’m a townie through and through. Don’t know if I’d recognize myself if this wasn’t my home.” She smiles at Sissy.

“God. It’s not like you’re going to the North Pole in the eighteenth century or something. We have planes. And cars. And email. And cell phones. You can come back,” Rosie says.

“Stay at our place,” Juliet says, “we’ve got the room since the kids are gone. You gotta come for the art fair. What would it be without us browsing together?”

“Well, don’t forget I’m not leaving yet. I’ll be here, maybe, till June.”

“Your house is so, so cute it’ll probably sell and you’ll move in February,” Rosie complains playfully.

“Well, I hope.” Laurie laughs.

“We all hope.” I raise my glass. “To new adventures in new cities.”

“We’re all gonna drive down next year and pester you.”

“Please do.”

“Get away for a women’s spring break.”

“You’re on.”

“And, don’t forget, I’m franchising your cookie club and forming one down there. Well.” Laurie’s eyes widen with delight. “I’ll be the head cookie bitch.”

“To cookie bitches everywhere,” I say.

We click our glasses.

CINNAMON

My mom celebrated cinnamon by making us cinnamon toast: hot buttered toast coated with cinnamon and sugar. The heat melted the butter and turned the cinnamon and sugar mixture into the perfect treat on a cold winter morning. Now, I sprinkle cinnamon in my morning coffee. Its crisp aroma jump-starts my day with zest and focus. It is often considered the scent of Christmas and flavors much of our baking, its crisp sweet aroma perfuming our homes. I didn’t know about the healing properties of this spice until recently. It helps prevent unwanted clumping of blood platelets and stops the growth of bacteria as well as fungi, including the problematic yeast, candida. Cinnamon’s antimicrobial properties are so effective that this spice may be used as an alternative to traditional food preservatives.