Good Morning, Arizona! Kaleb Richardson (essential books to read TXT) 📖

“Yep!”

“I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you, sweetie.”

“Of course! Is work good?”

“Yes. Feels like they’re having me do some more intern work, but it was a relaxed day. You had off today, right?”

“Yeah I did. Thought I could put together something nice for you for when you got back.”

“Awe, you’re so sweet.”

She handed me a plate, gave me a little peck on the lips, and lead us to sit down. She sat across from me, in the dining room.

“So uh, are you doing better? With your dad?”

“Oh. Yeah, actually. I am.”

“Have you thought about him during work?”

“At times, yeah. Following his work makes me feel like he should be the one delivering those lines.”

“But you’re okay?”

“Sometimes I will tear up a bit but yeah, I’ve been doing better.”

“That’s good, baby. You know it’s always okay to let it out. But I’m glad to see you improving.”

“Day by day.”

“Day by freaking day.”

We shared a laugh. Cindy has checked up on me I’d say about once a week. She genuinely cares and it shows. She tries to show me empathy, understanding what I’m going through and everything I have gone through. She’s one hell of a friend. She’s not the kind to just apologize for the things I’m going through. She’ll apologize and stay by my side, showing that she’s here to support me. Through all of it. Every single moment.

I heard the doorbell ring. Probably just another package delivery. Well, that’s what I thought. Until I heard it ring again. “I’ll go get it.” I said to Cindy. I approached the door and looked through the window to see a woman standing there. I’ve seen her before; I just was unsure where. I opened the door and saw Cassidy. That’s not who I originally saw. I saw that chick. Another woman walking up to our door with a backpack.

“Hi Heather! I thought I’d stop by and visit.”

“Hey Cassidy! How are you?”

I noticed a box in her hands.

“I’m good! Hey, here’s your father’s ashes. Plus, a guy named Derrick? Well, I also wanted to introduce you to someone.”

I took the ashes and set them aside to display later. The unknown woman waved at me.

“Heather, this is Gene Richardson. The anchorwoman from ComBox.”

“Oh, hello!”

“Hi!” She started. “I was the one who delivered your dad’s letter, live on air.”

“I had actually moved here to San Diego just about 4 weeks ago. I got out of Tope after all that ComBox drama. And I was just doing an interview with Ms. Hugo here about her experience with Mr. Gladys. After we finished, she said she had met you and had your address. So now we’re here.”

“Oh okay, cool! It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

This woman was a brave woman. Dad never really talked about her to me but knowing that she quit her job, live on air, because of the way the company treated my dad. That’s respect. That’s courage. And I had to thank her for that.

“Thank you, Gene. What you did for my dad, I know he would respect it.”

“You’re welcome, Heather. It was the right thing to do.”

“Hey Cindy! Cassidy’s here. And there’s someone I’d like you to meet!”

Cindy came down to the front door. I invited both ladies in and we all had a nice chat in the living room. It was like we were all lifelong best friends. Random ass conversations. Drama. Cindy and I’s past. Cassidy’s past. Gene telling us all about herself. Her family is from San Francisco and she was born in Los Angeles. Lived there until high school where she moved to Phoenix to complete high school and university. It’s interesting knowing other people’s stories and it will be fun to have these ladies around to hang out. We all have one. Some went through harder things. Some, easier. But we’re all human in the end and that’s what I believe brings us all together.

“Oh, Heather. I do have something for you.”

Gene opened up her backpack and pulled out a letter. It was addressed: My dear sweet daughter, Heather.

“Your dad had me come get it from the mailbox after he went to the Gladys’. I wish he would’ve told me what he planned on doing. I would’ve stopped him. I just figured you and him were out to dinner or something. He gave me your letter and your new address. I’m sorry it’s taken so long to get it to you, but I knew I was moving here so I guess it worked out!”

I began to cry but I held back a bit. I gave her a hug. “Thank you, Gene.”

Cassidy and Gene left after about an hour-and-a-half-ish, maybe. They had given both Cindy and I their numbers to contact. Cindy and I talked for a bit after they left. We seemed to share similar opinions on the matters and on the girls themselves. I went up to our room to relax a bit and set dad’s letter on my dresser. Cindy had followed me shortly after.

“So, I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”

“What is it, CiCi?”

“Well, it’s been a pretty good long time since we’ve lived here. And we’ve grown closer, romantically. I think that it’s time to be, official. Y’know? I want to be officially with you.”

“Are you trying to ask me to be your girlfriend?”

“Maybe.” She gave a little smirk.

“Yes, I will be.”

She seemed super nervous to ask me. I’ve noticed that about her ever since we’ve been here. She gets super nervous when it comes to talking about feelings. She tries her hardest and she throws in her sarcasm a lot with it too. It’s super cute. And when I said yes, she had the biggest smile on her face and gave me the biggest hug.