Chapter 12: The Ghost of Larry Fisherman
The air in Denver was crisp, a stark contrast to the chaos of the airport they had left behind. Price, Brenda, and Juan, freshly reunited, strolled through the bustling streets of the city, their chatter carrying the warmth of old friends rekindling a bond. But the atmosphere carried an undercurrent of tension: their visit wasn’t merely a casual reunion.
Larry Fisherman was an enigma, a man who had once been a cornerstone of their group. His stories of improbable escapades and his knack for solving even the messiest of their collective problems had made him larger than life. But in recent years, Larry had vanished without a trace. Sporadic texts had dwindled to silence. Now, they were determined to find him.
Brenda clutched her phone, eyes scanning the address Larry had once shared. “This is it,” she said, pointing to a modest, weathered house tucked into a quiet neighborhood.
The trio approached the door with a mix of excitement and apprehension. Price knocked, the sound echoing through the stillness.
Minutes passed, but no one answered.
“Maybe he’s out,” Juan suggested, though his tone was uncertain.
Brenda peeked through a window. “It’s empty. Like…completely empty.”
Price frowned. “This doesn’t feel right. Larry wouldn’t just up and leave without saying something. Would he?”
Juan shrugged. “He’s been distant for years. Maybe we just weren’t paying attention.”
They stood in silence, the weight of the situation settling over them. The man who had once been their rock was now a ghost, leaving nothing but unanswered questions in his wake.
Chapter 13: Disappointment and Departure
The trio found a diner nearby, their initial enthusiasm replaced by somber reflection. Brenda picked at her fries, Price nursed a black coffee, and Juan stared at the menu as if it held the answers to Larry’s disappearance.
“I don’t get it,” Brenda said finally, breaking the silence. “Larry was always there for us. Why would he just…cut us off?”
Price sighed, staring into his cup. “Maybe we didn’t realize what he was going through. People change, Brenda. Sometimes they just drift away.”
Juan leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. “Or maybe he needed space. We’re not exactly low-maintenance friends.”
That drew a chuckle from Brenda, but the sadness lingered.
As they left the diner, Price looked out at the Denver skyline. “What now? We came all this way, and Larry’s not here.”
Brenda pulled out her phone, scrolling through potential destinations. “We need a change of scenery. Something different. Something warm.”
Juan raised an eyebrow. “Warm? Are you thinking—”
“Miami,” Brenda interrupted, grinning. “Sun, beaches, and no chance of running into a ghost from our past.”
Price hesitated. “You sure about this? Miami’s…a lot.”
“That’s exactly why we should go,” Brenda said. “Larry might not want to talk to us, but we’re not going to let it ruin the rest of our trip.”
Juan nodded. “Miami it is. But let’s promise one thing: no airport lounge food this time.”
Chapter 14: Onward to Miami
The trio booked tickets for a red-eye flight, the glow of Denver’s city lights fading behind them as they boarded the plane. Brenda had snagged a window seat, already scrolling through Miami’s top attractions. Price, seated in the middle again, grumbled about his ongoing middle-seat curse, while Juan seemed unusually quiet.
“You okay, man?” Price asked, nudging him.
Juan shrugged. “Just thinking about Larry. It feels weird, you know? Like we missed something big.”
Brenda leaned over. “Hey, don’t dwell on it. People come and go, but the important ones? They leave a mark. Larry’s still part of who we are, even if he’s not around.”
The plane hummed as it climbed into the night sky, and the trio settled into an uneasy silence.
When they landed in Miami the next morning, the vibrant energy of the city hit them like a wave. The warm breeze, the sound of distant music, and the sight of palm trees lining the streets felt like a world away from the cold realities of Denver and Larry’s disappearance.
“This,” Brenda said, stretching her arms wide, “is exactly what we needed.”
Price nodded, a hint of a smile breaking through. “Alright, Miami. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Juan adjusted his sunglasses, his usual humor returning. “Step one: find food. Step two: make some questionable decisions.”
As they headed into the city, they didn’t know what adventures awaited them. But for the first time in a long while, the weight of the past seemed a little lighter, and the promise of a new chapter felt like a breath of fresh air.
To be continued...
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from me lol
I actually watched her sign off live last night.
