Page 71 of Places We've Never Been

“You never added me back,” he said, patting his pocket, where I could see the outline of his phone.

“Sorry, we’ve been busy. I haven’t been on social media much.”

“Really? We’ve had such long stretches on the road, I figure everyone else has too.”

“Yeah…,” I said, out of excuses.

“We’re going to check out the main building,” Skyler said, maybe rescuing me from my awkward exchange, maybe not realizing what was going on at all. “Want to join us?”

“Sure, I’ll come. They don’t have a game room like Zion did but they have a gift shop and stuff.”

The main building was a big brown cabin-like structure that housed the laundry, guest services, a conference room, and the gift shop, where we were now. I hadn’t gotten Willow any souvenirs yet, so I searched the aisles. I never understood buying souvenirs for a person who didn’t go on the trip. It seemed like a smug reminder that they didn’t get to go. But whatever, I told her I would, so now I would try to find her something she might actually like or use.

“Do you collect anything on your travels?” Ty asked from beside me. He’d followed me down each row.

“No. You?”

“I used to collect rocks. You know, the ones you can buy in a little stamped velvet bag for like five dollars.”

“Yeah, I know what you’re talking about. But you stopped?”

“I guess I grew out of it.”

“That’s a weird saying, isn’t it? That we grew out of something? Like we’re embarrassed to like something we liked as a child because that means we’re immature or something. I don’tthink we have to grow out of things. Maybe we were our truest selves as children, before we let the expectations of everyone else dictate who we should be.”

“Um…yeah,” Ty said, and I realized I had totally gone off.

“That speech was meant for me,” Skyler said from the next row over. “So don’t be too offended. You’re allowed to stop collecting rocks.”

“Stop eavesdropping,” I said.

“I think the whole store heard you,” he returned.

“Yep,” Paisley said from several rows over.

“Well, it’s true!” I said.

“How are you two related again?” Ty asked.

“We’re not,” I said, then picked up a Yellowstone candle. “Do you think this says,I wish you were able to come to Yellowstone with me. I missed you?”

“As good as anything else does.”

“Do you know what this store really needs?” I said. “A candle that shoots hot wax in the air after you light it. That would really bring the spirit of Yellowstone home.” I really said that out loud.

Skyler, obviously still eavesdropping in the next row over, laughed.

“You should suggest that to the candle makers,” Ty said with a grin.

“I should. That’s a million-dollar idea right there.” I carried the candle to the register.

Paisley joined me, holding a pair of bison socks. “More like a million-dollar lawsuit.”

“Where did you get those?” I asked.

She pointed to the far wall.

“That’s a better gift. I will tell the bison story and Willow actually likes socks.”