Addy followed Honey back to the cabin, hoping she could avoid any awkward conversation about what she and Remington had been doing.

Her hopes were dashed before they even made it to the hillside.

“When did she start calling?” Addy asked.

“What were you guys up to?” Honey said instead of answering.

Addy’s mind raced.

She wasn’t ashamed of hooking up. In her mind, that’s what summers were for. She was torn about the relationship.

“You can’t do this, Addy.” Honey slowed her pace and looked back at her accusingly.

“I’m fine, Honey,” Addy said.

“I’m not talking about you,” Honey said. “I’m talking about him. You can’t let anything happen with him unless you really like him.”

“I really like him,” Addy said.

Honey’s face broke into a sunny smile. She hugged Addy tightly.

“I’m so glad,” Honey whispered into Addy’s ear.

Addy felt a pang of guilt at allowing her friend to think the relationship was more serious than it was.

Though she had to face the very real possibility that the relationship was serious. And she was only telling herself she could still back out.

“I’m not going too fast though,” she said out loud, as much for her own benefit as for Honey’s.

“Of course not,” Honey said. “But you’re open-minded to the possibility. And that’s a good beginning.”

They made the rest of their journey in silence.

It was hard not to panic when she allowed herself to think about her mother calling repeatedly. She had spoken to her earlier that morning, when her mom had called to wish her a happy birthday. She couldn’t imagine why she might be calling again so soon.

Losing her father had started with a phone call.

She pushed the thoughts aside.

“So Nikki and I were thinking,” Honey said brightly, as if to distract her friend. “We’ve got a sense of what ticket sales will be like and it’s not enough, but, what if we did an auction?”

“We talked about that,” Addy said. “But what can we auction off?”

“Us,” Honey said with a silly grin. “Well, you guys, maybe. I don’t think Kitt’s going to be okay with me being auctioned off for a date night.”

Addy laughed.

“You’re going to auction us off for date nights?”

“Well, us and any other female counselors who agree to it,” Honey said. “Wouldn’t that be fun?”

“I guess so,” Addy said dubiously. What would she do on a date with some weirdo that bought the right to take her out in an auction?

On the other hand, it would be a tidy way to wrap up the rest of the funds they needed.

They reached the cabin at last and she dashed inside and grabbed her phone from Nikki.

“Do you want privacy?” Honey asked.

Addy shook her head, hopped onto her spot on the sectional sofa, and called her mom before checking her voicemail.

It rang once and then there was a click as someone picked up.

“Hi, Addy.” Her mom’s warm voice made her feel five years old again. It never failed.

“Hey, Mom,” Addy said. “Is everything okay?”

“Of course,” Mom said. “Oh, my, I tried you a couple of times, didn’t I?”

“Yeah,” Addy said. “I was worried.”

“I’m sorry, love,” her mom said. “I was just excited to talk to you.”

“That’s okay, Mom. What’s up?”

“Well, you know how Carol Emery always gets first pick on vacations?” Her mom’s voice took on the slightly flinty quality it always did when she discussed a problematic co-worker.

Carol Emery was just one year ahead of Sarah Barnes at the hospital, but it meant she was always in front of her in the pecking order. One more reason Mom wanted Addy out of the nursing pool.

“Yeah, Mom,” Addy said. “I know.”

“Well she just announced that she’s saving her days to drive her son to NYU, so I get to come see you.”

“Mom, that’s amazing,” Addy cried.

Across the room, Honey pretended to wipe imaginary sweat from her forehead and Nikki sank into her usual spot on the sofa, a look of relief on her face.

“So anyway, it’s not a lot of notice, honey,” Addy’s mom was saying. “That’s why I was so anxious to reach you. But I’m going to be there tomorrow.”

“Mom, that’s fantastic,” Addy said. “I can’t wait to see you.”

“I’ll call in the morning and book myself a room at the lodge,” her mom said. “I should be with you before dinnertime. Tell the girls I’m taking everyone out, if you all have time. We’ll have a late birthday party.”

“That sounds really good, Mom,” Addy said.

“Get some sleep then, love,” her mother told her. “And happy birthday again!”

“Thanks, Mama,” Addy said. “I love you.”

“Love you too, Doc,” her mother said, using Addy’s old nickname fondly.

Addy breathed a sigh of relief and wondered what her mother would think if she knew her daughter had just made out with an alien.

The feeling of relief turned out to be short-lived.