She Said: “Mom, You’re Turning 70. We Want To Celebrate You.” I Booked The Flight. Landed At LAX. THEN I REALIZED…

Behind them, rolling hills covered in grapevines. Bright Sunday. The caption: Finally doing this.

Girls trip goals. Napa, here we come. Tagged: Molen, Brad’s sister.

Carrie, Jessica’s college friend. Shannon, another friend I’d met once. I stared at it, scrolled down.

Another photo from an hour ago. The four of them in a car, sunglasses on, laughing. Caption: Road trip vibes.

Napa. That was four hours north of L.A. Maybe more.

I stood there on the curb, suitcase beside me, clutch purse in my hand, and the sun felt different now. Heavier. Meaner.

I called again. This time she picked up. “Mom, hey.”

Her voice was loud—background noise of laughter and music.

“What’s up?”

“I’m at the airport.”

Silence. Then: “What?”

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