Chapter 78 Rosalie
Chapter 78
Rosalie
Departure Morning
The guests stand in front of the inn with their suitcases stacked and waiting. They move in slow motion, delaying the inevitable, stepping into the other world. They take turns hugging Rosalie goodbye before getting into the SUV that’s taking them to the airport. Penny and Leo’s Mustang sits nearby.
“You take care of yourself,” Sienna says. “I’ll see you next summer.”
Henry’s next. “Don’t forget what I’ve told you about everything up there.” He points to the sky.
She tells him she’ll never forget.
“I’m here if you need anything, Rosie. You have my number,” says Lucy.
Penny’s openly crying. “I’m really going to miss you. But you’ll visit. The girls will love you.”
Leo makes her laugh. “Remember, those characters in the movies aren’t me. They’re never me.”
“I know. You’re one of the good guys.”
He hugs her, and she thinks about all the girls in her high school who would kill to be in her shoes. He’s an ordinary guy. Together, they’re extraordinary people.
Tears prick her eyes, and she waves as the cars pull out of the driveway. The cloud that has been hovering disperses, and the sunlight reflects on the windows. Simone locks her arm in Rosalie’s. “Look at this.” It’s a picture from the first night. Rosalie takes it in her hand, studies their faces, their posture, how so much has changed in a week. Simone squeezes her hand in hers. “All my oncle wanted was an extraordinary week, Rosalie. You gave it to him.”
She chose the inn to find her father, and what she got was a family. Eight strangers circling around like planets orbiting the sun, guiding each other through light and dark. She closes her eyes and lets the warm breeze brush her cheeks. They will leave a lot richer than when they came, belonging to something greater than themselves.
Henry’s right. We are all made of stars.
And when you raise your head toward the sky, you find the magic.