That same afternoon, Mary Anne and Dawn stopped by Kristy's place.
Karen answered the door and found both Mary Anne and Dawn.
"Is Kristy there?" Dawn asked Karen.
"Yes, she's here. I'll tell her you are here. What are you doing here?" Karen asked.
"We heard from Claudia about going to see your relative," Mary Anne told her.
"I was surprised to see her earlier. I wish you would call before coming over so Kristy would expect you here."
"Sorry, Karen. We'll be sure to do it next time."
"Claudia said the same thing."
Karen closed the door behind Mary Anne and Dawn.
"Karen doesn't like it when we come over without calling," Mary Anne said.
"I know, but Kristy doesn't mind, does she?" Dawn asked.
"I wouldn't think so."
Kristy finally showed up by the front door where she and Dawn were waiting.
"Hi, Mary Anne and Dawn. Karen said you were here," Kristy told her best friend.
"I know she did, Kristy. Claudia called an emergency meeting and told us about what happened," Dawn told her.
"Yes, I did ask her to take over, but it's only for a week and I will be back after that."
"We were talking at the meeting, Kristy. What do you think of the idea for Dawn to take over as vice – president?" Mary Anne asked.
"You don't need to ask me. Do whatever you want, but it's a good idea."
Dawn and Mary Anne both saw Claudia was right – Kristy sounded like she was in tears.
"How is your mom taking this?" Dawn asked.
"Not so good. They were close, is what I heard."
"Why are you crying? You hardly ever do that, Kristy."
"I know I don't, Dawn, but I try not to show it with somebody I don't know very well."
"What was your relative's name?" Mary Anne asked.
"Elaine."
"That's a nice name," Dawn replied.
"Yes, it's all right. I wouldn't mind naming a daughter that if I ever had one."
Mary Anne and Dawn both gave Kristy a hug, which she appreciated.
"Thank you for stopping by."
"Are we interrupting anything?"
"No, Mary Anne, not at all. I was just doing some last – minute packing when you showed up. I was in the middle of that when Claudia showed up."
"That's what she told us too, Kristy."
"I'm sure she mentioned it since it was her idea to call for a meeting that involved me."
"Exactly. We'll call you if we need to reach out," Dawn told her.
"You don't need to call. Even Claudia said I could reach out to her if I need to check in and see how it's going."
"I thought you didn't talk about it when she was over."
"No, Mary Anne. She's fine without having my great – aunt's phone number in Nevada."
"Where in Nevada was she from?" Dawn asked.
Kristy told them, but had an idea pop up.
"You look like you have a good idea coming."
"Yes, I do. How about next time we get together after I come back, we can go to Vegas."
"That is a great idea, Kristy. We've never been there," Mary Anne told her.
"I haven't either, but you can mention it to the other girls, but they will like the idea anyway."
"Yes, they would. Is there anything else you want or need?"
"I think I'm all set for now, Mary Anne, but thank you for checking," Kristy replied.
"Are you sure?" Dawn asked.
"Yes. Sorry I forgot to mention this at the meeting."
"Don't worry about it, Kristy. It's already taken care of."
"You'll make a good vice – president while I'm out of town," Kristy told Dawn.
"I know. I've been around a while enough to know how the job works."
Mary Anne nodded in agreement as she hugged Kristy once more.
"This takes time to say good – bye to someone, even if you didn't know her very well."
"That's true, Dawn. Even Andrew was crying a few times also. Andrew and Karen really didn't know Elaine well enough to cry about the news."
"But they did."
"Yes, Dawn. They did."
Kristy finished crying, which always worked when she was with her friends.
"We'd better go if you need to show up at the airport at anytime."
"We're almost ready, but waiting for David Michael and Charlie."
Both of them were Kristy's brothers, but Charlie was the oldest.
"We hope you have a safe flight both ways," Dawn said.
"I hope we do."
Kristy didn't mind airplanes, but they hardly get on them for something like this.
"Are you ready to go, Dawn?"
"Only if you are," she answered.
"We'll see you again when you get back, Kristy."
"You'll know when I'm back home. Claudia will know first since I told her this was her job for a week."
Neither Dawn or Mary Anne said anything.
Good thing they didn't leave the door.
Kristy didn't bother walking her friends since they were still where they were from when Karen let them inside.
Even Kristy didn't say anything as Mary Anne opened the door for her and Dawn.
"See you when you get back, Kristy."
"You will. Thank you for coming by."
"Anytime. Wasn't that why we did to cheer you up?" Dawn asked.
"Yes. I needed more hugs."
Kristy meant what she said as she watched Mary Anne and Dawn walk down the driveway to Dawn's car.
"What did you think of Kristy?" Mary Anne asked.
"She did sound upset about her aunt passing away for somebody she really didn't know very well."
"I wish there was something we could do for her since she's on her way to the airport for a week."
"But since it's last minute, Mary Anne, there's really no need to do that."
"Of course not. Let's get back home."
Neither Dawn or Mary Anne had baby – sitting jobs today, so this was why they wanted to say good – bye to Kristy before leaving for the week.
"I wish there was something I could do about it," Mary Anne told her stepsister.
"Nothing, really."
Time to get back home.