Someday You'll Laugh Read Online Free Page B

and joined me. “Fine. Let’s go.” He dumped the rest of his fries in the garbage.
    ****
    Dad drove me to the airport on Sunday afternoon and came with me while I got checked in.
    “Okay, Dad, I’m all set.” I hoisted my bag higher onto my shoulder.
    “Be safe,” he said and kissed me on the cheek. “We’ll miss you.”
    He walked toward the parking garage and gave me a wave before disappearing through the revolving door. I waved back and turned to make my way to the gate. I’d been worried I wouldn’t know what to do or where to go, but I followed a cluster of travelers through security and into the concourse. From there, finding B6 was easy. After I’d settled in at the gate, I pulled Greg’s graduation photo out of my pocket. He’d given me a five-by-seven and also the wallet-sized copy I had with me. I stared at his image and into his smiling eyes.
    “I’ll be there in a couple hours,” I whispered.
    The man seated to my left in the waiting area shifted with a loud cough. I shoved the photo back into my pocket. He probably thought I had a screw loose to be talking to a picture.
    Before long, we were on board and all buckled in safely. I sat in the window seat and kept my face pressed against the plastic pane through take-off and the initial ascent. Once the plane leveled out, I closed my eyes and leaned on the headrest. I fought with the seat belt to get Greg’s photo out of my pocket again, but when I cradled it against my chest, it wasn’t Greg’s image I visualized.
    It was Paul’s face, Paul’s blue eyes, Paul’s hands on the piano that filled my mind. I reached under the seat in front of me and grabbed my purse. I took out the pad of paper inside and a pen.
    Dear Paul,
    Well, I’m writing to you as requested. I’m in the air right now. The houses were like teeny specks when we went up. It was pretty cool. I think you’d like it up here.
    Was I deluding myself into thinking I knew what Paul would or wouldn’t like? Wow, when had we become so intimate? I laid my pen on my lap. With a sudden move, I ripped the page out of the notebook, wadded it into a tight ball, and crammed it in my pocket.
    Enough of Paul. This trip was about me and Greg and singing and a scholarship.
    Flying was amazing. In less than three hours, I disembarked in California. I followed the signs to baggage and saw Greg waiting with a huge welcoming smile and wide-open arms.
    “You’re here!” he called. I ran to him and he twirled me around. When he set me down, he gave me a lingering kiss. “Wow, you look good.”
    “So do you.” I squeezed his arm.
    “Let’s take you to your new home.” He turned to the carousel. “What’s your suitcase look like?”
    “Blue and yellow. And it’s not my new home yet, Greg. Let’s not jump the gun.”
    “They’ll hear you sing, they’ll love you, and they’ll give you the scholarship. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a done deal.” The pride on his face made my insides shudder.
    Being there with him in California made me want to keep shuddering.
    I shook my head, shoved down the uneasiness inside, and walked with him out of the airport and into the sparkling California sunlight. We threw my bag into the back of Don’s clunker, climbed into the front seat, and rattled all the way to campus.
    ****
    Tuesday came too soon. I’d managed to work myself into a major tizzy as I waited for my turn to sing. Sweat dripped down my sides underneath my carefully ironed red dress. Greg sat with me in the vestibule tapping his foot like a wild man.
    I reached over and clenched his leg. “Stop tapping. You’re making me crazy.”
    “Sorry. I’m stopping. I know there’s no reason to be nervous.”
    There was plenty of reason, but I didn’t see how discussing it would help. I checked my watch for the hundredth time. Four more minutes.
    The door opened and a student with red braids trailing down her back came through. She nodded at me and smiled. “Brenda? It’s your