Jenny cried almost the whole way to the airport. Kristin had borrowed Miss White's car to take her, and was now kind of regretting it. She felt that Jenny was being childish and melodramatic, and chided her, "Come on, Jen, it's just a few weeks. Pull yourself together."
Jenny tried, she really did, but she kept losing the struggle and bursting into tears all over again. Seeing that Jenny's emotions were simply beyond her control, Kristin softened. She reached over with her right hand and squeezed Jenny's shoulder. "It's OK, honey," she said gently. "Really. It's all going to be fine."
Smiling through her tears, Jenny wiped her tears and straightened up in her seat. As they approached the airport she did finally get a grip on herself and apologized to Kristin.
"Emotions are emotions," Kristin reassured her. "Don't worry about it."
When they arrived at the airport they shared a long, lingering hug. Jenny felt a little shy, like people were staring at them, but she didn't resist when Kristin planted a big kiss on her mouth. When they separated Kristin pulled out her phone and looked at the time. "You'd better get going," she said.
Jenny nodded. "I'll miss you."
"I know," said Kristin, with a wink. "Now scat." As Jenny turned to go Kristin said, "Be good." But as Jenny walked away she added, "Or not. Your choice."
As soon as she was out of Kristin's sight Jenny started crying again, and she bawled on and off all the way through the boarding process. But over the course of the flight she slowly started to pull herself together. Of course it would be good to see her family, good to spend time at home. She wondered if her parents would notice the difference in her; she was definitely more self-assured than she had been. They would never guess why, though — at least she hoped not. She shuddered at the thought of her parents learning what really went on at ABD.
The truth was, having a secret life gave Jenny an air of intrigue that she was not conscious of. During the flight most of the men around her, and several of the women, looked over at her repeatedly. The waitress was unusually attentive, even flirty. But Jenny was happily oblivious, reading and sleeping as the plane made its way south and west.
* * *