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    At some point during the festivities, she had lost track of Julia. When Camille last saw her she was talking to her cousin Jonathan, a bear of a man who was the sweetest soul Camille had ever known. He was also a shameless flirt. Even though Julia never had an issue holding her own in social situations, and Cousin Jonathan was as harmless as they came, Camille still felt the need to come to her friend’s assistance. But before she could reach them, she was inadvertently pulled into a debate regarding the qualifications of the two local candidates running for U.S. Senate. Beyond the fact that she knew nothing about the candidates, Camille would rather gouge her eyes out than discuss politics on any level. By the time she managed to politely remove herself from the conversation, Julia was gone.
    She searched the kitchen, then the living room, then her father’s office, but saw no sign of her. Afraid that she may have left, Camille stepped onto the front porch. Julia’s car was still parked in the driveway.
    Unsure of where else to look, Camille used the most dependable locating method she knew of. She called her cell phone.
    Julia answered after one ring. “Hey.”
    “Hey stranger. I haven’t seen you for a while. I was worried my cousin sweet-talked you into the closet or something.”
    Julia chuckled. “He’s a cute man, but not that cute.”
    “So where did you go?”
    “I’m actually up in your bedroom.”
    “Oh my God, he’s not up there with you is he?” Camille asked with a smile she could barely contain.
    “Jesus, you’re gross. I just needed some quiet.”
    “Don’t get your yoga pants in a knot. I was kidding.” Camille expected another chuckle to let her know that everything was okay, but Julia was silent. “Are you alright?”
    “Yes and no.”
    “Do you want me to come up?”
    Julia made a noise that sounded like a sniffle. “Yes and no.”
    “I’m ignoring the no.”
    Camille quickly made her way up the stairs. Even though the bedroom door was ajar, she still knocked. 
    “You can come in, Cam. I’m decent.”
    Camille opened the door and saw Julia sitting on the side of the bed. She was scrolling through her cell phone with the intent of someone desperate to find a long lost message.
    “I figured I would be the one hiding out up here,” Camille said as she walked in.
    Julia looked up from her phone with heavy eyes. “Sorry. I had to make a few calls.”
    “Everything okay?”
    Julia nodded but was otherwise silent.
    Camille closed the door and sat down on the bed. “I’m getting that cryptic vibe from you again.”
    “I don’t mean to do that.”
    “For someone who doesn’t mean to, you’re doing an awfully good job of it.”
    “It’s just a weird time, that’s all.”
    “Preaching to the choir, sister.”
    Julia sighed. “I know. And I’m sorry.”
    “For what?”
    “Everything you’ve gone through and you have to come home to a basket-case of a best friend. Not exactly the welcome that you deserve.”
    “Right now I’m not concerned with what kind of welcome home I deserve. I’m concerned about what’s going on in my best friend’s life that’s got her feeling like a basket-case.”
    Julia abruptly stood up and walked to the window. “There sure are a lot of cars out there,” she said as she peered through the blinds. “I told you there were a ton of people eager to see you.”  
    “Don’t you dare try and change the subject,” Camille barked. “Get back over here and sit.”
    Julia rolled her eyes. “Okay mom. You don’t have to be so mean about it.” She sat down on the bed with a huff.
    “Talk.”
    “I guess the interrogation has officially begun.”
    “If that’s what it takes. I’ve only lost the desire. I haven’t lost the skill. Remember that.”
    “I don’t doubt your skill for a second.”
    “Then why do I feel like you’re trying to test it?”
    “I’m honestly not trying to be difficult about this. I just don’t feel