Summer's Beginning
South Carolina
"I'll see you in two weeks. Give my love to David and give Ryan a big kiss from me. I love you too mom."
Carmen replaced the handset of the phone at her father's house, tears pricking her eyes. She'd spent months away from her family yet it didn't get any easier being away from them.
"Is everything alright Carmen?" Al asked, entering the kitchen. She nodded, allowing her father to envelope her into a hug.
"I'm okay; I'm just missing mom and Ryan."
"Not David?"
"Oh, him too. I wish I could have gone with them to New York."
"It's okay Carmen, they'll be back soon and so will you. Maybe the four of you can take a trip together later on in the summer."
"I'll be working then."
"Look, you should go get some rest before the flight. I'll wake you before we have to leave."
"Thanks." She muttered, walking towards the door. She stopped and turned to face her dad.
"I am looking forward to our trip to California, it'll be good."
With a shared smile, Carmen left the room.
Bethesda
"He's such an idiot; I don't know how I'm going to survive the rest of the summer with this guy." Bridget and Lena couldn't help but laugh. "I'm serious, guys; he's a complete waste of space."
"Tibs, you think all guys are a waste of space." Bridget rolled her eyes.
"All people." Lena whispered, then turned away.
"I do not!" she froze for a moment, looking down at her toes, then looked up again. "Okay, I guess I do."
"You know you get like this every year, it's time to dig out the video." Bridget announced.
"No, not again." She mumbled.
"Bee's right, Bailey taught you a lesson and now it's time for you to relearn what she taught you."
"Alright!" Tibby relented, opening a drawer and taking out a cassette. She pushed it into her camera, attached it to the computer and pressed play.
Bailey's face appeared on the screen instantly, music intertwining with the numerous images of a girl years younger than the one Tibby knew. But in her short life, there were only so many photos to be taken and they quickly turned into images she took. A hand tugged on her heart as they always did when she watched the video. Bridget and Lena stared at her, her face turning red with the stream of tears flowing from her face.
"It's been almost four year's guys." Tibby managed to say through the river, Bridget and Lena jumped on her and held her as she sobbed into their arms.
"I'm sorry." She muttered, wiping her face as the ending music played out with one final image of Bailey on screen. It had been her favourite.
"Don't be." Bridget assured her, kissing her cheek and pushing the wet strands of hair from her eyes.
"Just seeing the video of Bailey reminds me of the fact she's not here anymore."
"That's understandable; it's a beautiful video Tibs."
"I don't want you to go away for a month Lenny." Tibby sighed, taking hold of her friend and sobbing even more into the nape of her neck.
"Sorry Tibs, but I can't miss out."
"I know." She whispered, pulling away. "I don't know what's come over me." She laughed, pulling herself together.
Lena and Bridget watched her; Tibby's strength when it came to watching the video of Bailey was nothing short of an Elephant standing on a plate of jelly. She just fell to bits.
"We've still got almost two weeks together." Lena muttered, holding onto her friend again.
"Yes." She nodded, pulling away. "I think I should get some sleep, I'm tired." She stated. Both girls nodded and smiled; with quick goodbyes they left the room. Tibby smiled as she watched them walk down the hall towards the stairs. She curled up on her bed and cried herself to sleep.
San Francisco, California
The plane landed in San Francisco, California and Carmen and her family caught a cab to the hotel.
"Oh My Gawd." Krista squealed, pushing the door to the hotel room open. Carmen followed her into the five star twin room, her mouth opening in shock.
"This is amazing!" Krista said loudly, opening the mini-bar and pulling out a bottle of alcohol.
"Not a chance." Carmen laughed, taking the bottle and placing it back in the fridge. "Not only are you underage, but these things cost a packet." Krista scowled, then quickly became distracted by the size of the bathroom, with floor to ceiling mirrors.
Kicking off her shoes, Carmen allowed herself to fall backwards onto one of the beds and stare at the chandelier on the ceiling.
"This is going to bed the best summer!"
