Tracing Hearts by Kate Squires Read Free Book Online Page B

to her, comfort her. Then, come back and finish the year. It’ll calm you down and give you some perspective. Consider it your graduation present.”
    “W…what?”
    Is he serious?
    He smiles, but it’s half-hearted. “I know a bunch of the guys have been pressuring you to enlist. I also know what a huge decision that is to make. I want you to make the right choice for you. In order to do that, you’ll have to know what you could be missing.” He lifts his eyebrows sympathetically. “Go to her.”
    My breath hitches, then I stand and grab my dad in a tight hug. He reciprocates. This is very unusual for us.
    “Thanks, Dad,” I whisper. He nods, then we release each other.
    “I think you’ve got arrangements to make.”
    I race to my bedroom, where my laptop lays, and fire it up. Then, I open my email.
     
    Dear Julia,
    Stay strong…help is coming.
    Love,
    Sebastian
     
    I hitch a ride on a seven-forty-seven. I think and try to calm my nerves. It’s about an eight hour flight to the USA, in which I’ll be travelling back in time. Sort of. I’ve packed light. I’ll only be staying about a week. Half of that week, I’ll most likely be recovering from jetlag. I lean back against the seat and try to imagine the first time we’ll meet. I know I’ll recognize her. We’ve been friends on social media and sent dozens of pictures over the years. God, I’m nervous. She’s so beautiful. I’ll have to take into consideration her mom’s illness and, hopefully, help her feel a little better. Then, maybe, we can go somewhere to get her mind off everything. I close my eyes, clutching the album full of pictures I’ve brought with me, and fall asleep.
     
    ***
     
    The plane finally lands at Hopkins Airport right around noon, I think. The time change has my internal clock all screwed up. As I make my way through the concourse, I note how exhausted I am. I didn’t anticipate this little glitch, so I endeavor to check into the hotel room, and sleep it off.
    The guy behind the counter at the car rental place gets pissy with me, until he finds out my, active duty, military, father has already made all the arrangements. I end up getting an upgrade. I suspect this guy might be a recovering Army brat.
    I take my first step out into the fresh air of the USA and savor the scent. Granted, it smells a lot like jet fuel and car exhaust, but there’s a familiar aroma that sparks a long forgotten memory—a smell that takes me back to when I was a kid. I tilt my head up, close my eyes, and smile. It’s not New York City, but then, I’m sure I’d be unable to take such a deep breath if it were.
    Using the GPS on my phone, I navigate toward the hotel. My room is small, but then, I don’t really need much else. It has two queen size beds, a TV, and mini fridge. I eye the shower but ultimately decide sleep takes precedence over cleanliness. I crawl under the covers and fall fast asleep.
     
    ***
     
    I wake slowly, reluctant to come to full consciousness, until I remember where I am. My eyes fly open. What time is it? I glance quickly at the clock, it’s eight o’clock in the evening. I yawn and my body protests, considering it’s the middle of the night in Germany. Never the less, I get up and shower. I need food.
    Sitting in the parking lot of a fast food joint, I contemplate my next move. How do I do this? Should I just drive to her house and ring the bell? Guess who’s here for dinner? Probably not a great idea, especially since she has no idea I’m even in town. Maybe I should do a drive-by, so I know exactly where I’m going tomorrow, when I surprise her. Should I email her first? Will she be mad that I just showed up here? Oh, shit. I never even considered that before I got my plane ticket. I let my head fall back against the driver’s seat headrest and pretend this wasn’t a stupid idea. With nothing to lose, and without another thought, I plug her address into the GPS, and follow my British sounding tour guide.
    Her