At my husband’s funeral, I spotted “my girls.” Once inseparable, at that moment, we seemed to be strangers in our golden years. As we reunited over regrets and lost time, one reckless idea left us questioning everything.
The funeral was quiet. Just a few people stood by, exchanging whispers. I stood apart, clutching my husband’s old hat. It was all I had left of him, of us. The murmurs of condolences drifted past me, barely registering.
“You should come inside,” someone whispered, but I didn’t move.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
My mind replayed all the plans we’d postponed. Our last trip to the ocean, the dreams we shelved for later. Later he was gone.
My voice caught in my throat as I spotted a familiar figure at the edge of the group. She looked unsure, holding her handbag tightly, like a shield. Before I could gather myself, another familiar face appeared.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Lorna?” I whispered, almost laughing in disbelief.
She stood confidently, her bright scarf and glasses a splash of life against the somber crowd. It was like seeing a ghost of my youth, but her eyes held the weight of years gone by.
Later, we found ourselves crammed into a small café.
“This feels surreal,” Nora admitted, stirring her tea. “How long has it been since we’ve all been together?”
“Too long,” Lorna answered. “And for this to be the reason… It’s unfair.”
I nodded. “I spent the last years taking care of him. Everything else just… stopped.”
“What now?” Nora asked gently.
“His last wish was to see the ocean again. I didn’t make it happen while he was here. But I will now.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“I don’t even know what my own wishes are anymore,” Nora confessed. “My family… I don’t think they’ve ever seen me as more than a housekeeper. I changed the Thanksgiving turkey recipe last year, and it was a scandal. A turkey scandal.”
Lorna snorted, but her humor quickly faded. “At least you’re surrounded by people. I’ve been alone for so long, I think I’ve forgotten what joy feels like.”
Suddenly, I blurted, “What if we went on a trip together? All of us. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Nora blinked. “A trip? Just like that?”
Lorna grinned. “I like it. Crazy, but I like it.”
We laughed, we really were at the start of a crazy thing.
***
A few days later, the airport buzzed with the sounds of rolling suitcases, distant announcements, and the occasional laughter of families on their own adventures. I clutched my boarding pass, feeling a growing excitement.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
For once, my suitcase held items I had chosen not out of practicality or necessity but simply because I liked them.
Nora stood nearby, frantically rummaging through her bag.
“My passport was here a second ago!” she exclaimed, her voice rising with each word.
“It’s in your hand, Nora,” Lorna pointed out, her calm tone betraying the faintest smirk.
Nora flushed, holding up the document like it had just appeared out of thin air. “Oh, well… I was just double-checking.”
Lorna adjusted her scarf with deliberate ease, but I noticed the way her fingers trembled.
“Relax,” I said, nudging her lightly. “You’re the picture of confidence.”
“Fake it till you make it,” she whispered back, her grin widening.
When we landed, the real journey began. We rented a shiny convertible Nora had insisted on.
The open road greeted us with the salty scent of the ocean, and the horizon seemed to stretch endlessly, daring us to dream bigger.
Of course, it didn’t all go smoothly.
“My luggage is gone,” Lorna declared at the motel that first evening.
“Gone? How does that even happen?” Nora asked, her voice rising again.
“No idea, maybe I forgot it on the baggage claim. But it’s not worth to be fussy about it. I’ll buy something else.”
True to her word, she returned an hour later with a flowy dress that looked like it had been made for her.
“Problem solved,” she announced, spinning dramatically in the motel parking lot.
That night, the town was alive with music and lights. A banner flapped above the square: “Annual Dance-Off Tonight!” Young couples were dancing around.
