Free A Bridge of Her Own by Carey Heywood Page A

Afterward, they walked along the river then sat for a bit and people watched.
    "Lace, do you think Wyatt and I will get back together?" Jane asked after a while.
    "I really don't know, babe," Lacey replied, shrugging.
    "I think we will," Jane said solemnly.
    At that, Lacey reached out and took her hand. "But what if you don't?" Lacey asked.
    Jane just shook her head and looked forward.
    "Wanna come over for dinner?" Jane asked.
    "Free home-cooked food," was all Lacey said in reply, grinning.
    Jane called her mom to give her a heads up, and the two headed back to her house. They stopped along the way for Lacey to pick up her car. That way, Jane would not have to drive her home after dinner.
    Her mother had made a chicken, rice, and mushroom casserole with steamed green beans. Jane set the table while her mom finished up in the kitchen, and Lacey sat in the den with Mr. Martin. Lacey loved Jane's dad; he was very cool. She sometimes scratched her head at how he could stay so laidback and still be married to Jane's mom. Either way, he gave really good advice, and Lacey had picked his brain often over the years.
    She contemplated telling him about what happened with Jane and Wyatt, but in the off chance that Jane was right, she held off. Mrs. Martin's cooking was delicious as usual. The conversation, on the other hand, was very stilted and uncomfortable. Mrs. Martin kept asking about Wyatt and when Jane was going to meet him in Chicago. Jane deflected each question noncommittally.
    Her mother gave up and turned to ask Lacey about her plans for the summer. Lacey told them about the show she was in and offered to get them tickets, if they wanted to see it. It was officially starting that Thursday and had a two-month run. It had an evening show Wednesday through Saturday with a matinee Saturday afternoon as well. She was really looking forward to it.
    She went on to tell them about her new apartment. Lacey lit up with excitement just talking about it. Jane was so proud of her friend. She was just bummed she wasn't as confident about her own future. After dinner, Lacey hung out for a bit before heading home. After she left, Jane went to her room to unpack a bit more and think about things.
     
    Chapter 13
     
    She could not actually consider an existence without Wyatt. He was all she knew, and she could not bear the idea that the fantasy of their future life together would not come to be. The house they would live in, the children they would have. She lay on her bed and looked around her room, her eyes resting on her childhood state spoon collection. She rose and went over to where the display case was hung, her fingers delicately brushing the porcelain handles.
    It struck her all of sudden that she did not have a spoon for Illinois. What if she were to take a road trip? She could possibly sell the idea of a right of passage summer trip after graduation to her parents. Jane and Lacey had even talked about going to Australia once. This was clearly an easy sell in comparison. There was a spattering of states across the country she was missing spoons for. Her dad may even get a kick out of the thought that she would finish the collection he started for her.
    That was a great idea, she thought. Besides, what cross-country road trip would be complete without a stop in Chicago? Plus, if she was in Chicago, she would see Wyatt. She stopped imagining her future without Wyatt and began imagining his face when she would tell him about her road trip. He would never believe it; it was too independent of a thing for her to do.
    If he thought she was forging on, travelling and planning a life without him, of course it would make him want her back. She called Lacey to tell her the idea. Lacey loved it; she asked Jane if she would consider waiting until the end of her show, because if she would, Lacey would love to go too. Jane had not thought of that originally, but once Lacey brought it up, it made a lot of sense. It could be dangerous out there