Chapters (46)
‘We didn’t know it was, that was the problem,’ I say.
‘We laughed, a lot,’ nods Zaza.
‘Laughed and planned! Remember when Pia decided we should all give up our jobs and work on a cruise ship for a year? Just for the experience?’ says Vicky.
‘Can you imagine if we did?’ laughs Zaza.
‘She was always trying to get us to jack in our jobs!’ I smile. ‘She’d make us watch anything by David Attenborough just so we could plan our hypothetical excursions around the world.’
‘She certainly wasn’t boring,’ says Vicky, picking up her wine glass. ‘Do you remember that time she made us all chuck out anything we owned that was yellow because she was sure it brought her bad luck?’
‘She was more impulsive than I’ve ever been!’ says Zaza. ‘Even after she was diagnosed. She did more in that time than I’ve done in my whole life.’
‘She was determined to enjoy it,’ I nod, thinking back to the fun we had zooming across Italy in a rented convertible, gazing at the Northern Lights in Norway and then the time we spent visiting every festive market Germany had to offer. There was always something new to explore and discover with Pia. ‘I doubt I’ll do anything quite like that any time soon. This is the furthest I’ve been out since.’
‘But you will!’ encourages Zaza.
‘I dunno …’ I shrug.
‘Why not?’ asks Zaza, a serious look on her face.
‘She’s not. I’m not …’ I stammer.
‘What’s this?’ Vicky asks, pulling out a piece of paper that looks like it’s been quickly torn from a notebook and shoved into the pile of photos I found earlier. I recognize the writing on it instantly.
Rule of Death – Non-negotiable. Let’s-just-go. Have an adventure.
I wince at the note, trying to imagine when Pia might’ve written it and how much pain she would’ve been in trying to get the words down. It’s short and to the point, making me think it was towards the end. At any other time her hand would’ve danced across the page, her sentences turning to paragraphs, her paragraphs turning to pages of thoughts and wishes.
‘Well, how’s that for timing,’ mutters Zaza.
‘Yeah,’ I sigh, wondering how I’m going to successfully drum up the drive to go anywhere, despite Pia’s orders.
‘We should do something!’ Vicky blurts, her hands wildly gesticulating around the table and back to Pia’s note. ‘Us. Us three should do something.’
‘An adventure! A trek to somewhere amazing,’ chimes in Zaza, clapping her hands together as she says it.
