I quickly flipped over and grabbed my phone, scrolling to his face. A groggy voice spoke on the other end. “Hello?” “I love you!” I said. “What time is it?” Julian asked, but I could hear him smile. “I have no idea.” I closed my eyes and imagined he was still here. “But I love you.” He laughed then, and I beamed. “What are you doing today?” I asked. “Mmm… Church?” My eyes popped open. “Seriously?” “No.” I heard him breathe, and it sounded like he was getting up. “Mom’s already left.” “She goes?” “Every weekend, Saturday or Sunday mass.” My brow furrowed as I thought about that. “I wonder if she sees Lucy and B.J.” “They go?” It sounded like he opened and closed a drawer. “They probably go to St. Thomas. It’s way closer to Hammond Island.” “Maybe. But Lucy spends a lot of time with B.J. now.” I couldn’t tell him his mother wouldn’t be disappearing so much if Lucy were staying at home. “Well, I’m meeting Blake to help him finish up that truck he’s working on.
