Page 135 of Kiss Her Goodbye

By the time the guest of honor arrives, the kitchen smells unbelievable, and even Petunia, sitting on Bart’s lap, is practically vibrating from the pent-up energy.

Then Daryl.Moving a little slower.Definitely a tad weaker.And yet still absolutely, positively Daryl.

Roberta bursts into tears.Her husband pats her back while her brother rolls his eyes.

A round of genuinely heartfelt hugs, then Daryl being Daryl says, “Let’s eat!”

LATER, PEOPLE ASKme where I’m going next.Roberta votes for the Austin case.Genni’s always wanted to visit Memphis.Detective Marc tells me to get a real job.

Bart merely nods a lot.

Daryl never stops eating.

Aliah loads me up with bundles of tea.I think life is pretty good.

In the morning, I will wake up, head to the bus depot, and, probably based on the first bus I see, make my final decision.

By the time we wrap for the evening, I’m humming to myself as I head to my bungalow for my last night of unparalleled luxury.

I’m just stepping through the door when my phone rings.After staring at it so many times, the sound startles me.

I glance at the screen.It’s not from the area code I wasexpecting, and yet as his name flashes across my screen, I find myself smiling.

“Hey,” I answer softly, cradling the phone against my shoulder.“It’s so good to hear from you.”

And just like that, I know where I’m going next.