Texas Part One
The city was in the grips of a heat wave and Alice was pretty sure she was going to melt into a puddle of goo. The old air conditioner was wheezing in the living room window, and she and her mother had set up fans at every possible location through the apartment. Carol had suggested they go to the beach, but Alice had nixed that; half the population of New York City would be there, crowding the sand and surf.
Instead, Alice and her mother went to use the pool at the Senior Center. Carol was friends with the director, and they both knew some of the seniors that frequented the old brick building. Not a lot of people knew that there was an in-ground pool in the basement, and so it wasn't at all crowded.
Alice floated on her back, luxuriating in the feel of the cool water. Carol swam some laps before she, too, relaxed and floated. They shared a companionable silence for a while, listening to the water lapping against the tile and the murmured conversations of the handful of seniors that sat at the end of the pool, near the steps.
"I wonder where he's going next," Alice murmured.
"My guess would be west. Texas, maybe?" Carol rolled off her back to tread water.
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too." Alice sighed. "I wish I knew exactly where he was. I'd go there."
"What would you tell him?" Carol asked softly.
Alice closed her eyes. "I'd tell him that I was sorry. That I love him, and I don't ever want us to be apart again."
"So you've decided, then?"
"Yes," Alice said. And she felt so light, saying it, admitting it. She had made her choice. Waiting for Hatter to return was going to kill her, though. She'd thought maybe he'd call, but he hadn't. Not once. Maybe he was afraid to talk to her, afraid she hadn't changed in his absence. She had a lot to apologize for.
When Alice and Carol returned from the pool, feeling quite refreshed, there was a postcard waiting. The front had a picture of a beach and was emblazoned with the words South Padre Island. Her mother was right; Hatter was in Texas.
I miss you, Alice. This is a big state. Lot of big hats. This little island is something. Lots of beach, and girls in their scanties. Don't worry, none of them compare to you. I went helmet diving with someone who calls herself Scuba Girl – she had pink hair. It's very strange, being under the water like that. But also quite lovely. Have you ever drunk out of a coconut? They make some tasty drinks here. Lots of partying, but that's not my thing anymore. Not without you. Nothing is as good without you. Love, Hatter.
Alice clutched the postcard to her chest. She couldn't agree more; nothing was as good without Hatter. If she'd only realized it sooner. She wondered if he was finding what he was looking for on his journey. He was certainly experiencing new things, and meeting new people. But what was he searching for, exactly? She knew Hatter loved her; he'd never been anything but upfront about his feelings for her. She wished she knew what he was thinking.
She wished she could be with him, more than anything.