As I drove away from the airport, sheets of rain falling across the windshield like a dam in the sky had burst, I was no longer sure of what I needed to do. I spent the night wrestling with that and awoke the next morning to torrents of rain. I grabbed a jacket for the first time in forever, ignored Miranda snoring on the couch, and headed out into the crap, puddles splashing around me as I drove. I stopped the Jeep in front of Carolina’s house. Through the rain, I could see a light on in the living room. I turned off the engine, threw open the Jeep door, and dashed up to the front door and knocked. I looked like I’d jumped in the shower with my clothes on. Carolina opened the door. “Noah? What are you doing out?” She stepped out of the way and motioned for me to come in. I came into the entryway, water snaking off me onto her floor. “Hold on,” Carolina said. “I’ll get a towel.” She came back and handed me a yellow bath towel. I wiped my face. It smelled like the laundry detergent I remembered her using as a kid, but I couldn’t place the name.
