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Mrs M looked at her watch "Theyre in the cafeteria You want to join us?"

"No, thanks I think I need some fresh air "

Mrs M nodded "Its good to have you back, Tully I missed you "

"I should have taken your advice and called her "

"Youre here now Thats what matters " She patted Tullys arm and walked away

Tully went outside, surprised to find that it was light out here, war that the sun was still shining while Kate lay up in that narrow bed, dying She walked down the street, her watery eyes hidden behind huge, dark sunglasses so that no one would recognize her The last thing she wanted noas to be stopped

She passed a coffee shop, heard a bit of h the door as someone came out Bye, bye, Miss American Pie

Her legs gave out on her, and she went down, hard, scraping her knees on the concrete sidewalk, but she didnt notice, hardly cared, she was crying so hard Shed never felt so swollen with emotion; it was as if she couldnt handle it all Fear Sorrow Guilt Regret

"Why didnt I call her?" she whispered "I the hollow desperation in her voice, feeling sick that now the words came so easily, when it was too late to matter

She didnt kno long she knelt there, her head bowed, sobbing, thinking of all their tiether It was a bad part of Capitol Hill, full of ho spent and shaky, she cli as if shed been beaten up The music took her back in time, reminded her of so many shared moments Sell always be best friends

"Oh, Katie"

And she was crying again Quieter this time

She walked dully up one street and down another until soht her eye

There, in a store on the corner, she found what she hadnt even realized shed been looking for She had the gift wrapped and ran all the way back to Kates room

She was out of breath when she opened the door and went inside