Just Remember to Breathe (Thompson Sisters)

then walked into the kitchen and said, “Good morning.” I walked over and kissed her on the cheek.
    Carrie was sitting at the kitchen table, a cup of coffee in front of her. It was so rare that I saw her disheveled that the sight of her now, in a bathrobe, her hair a mess, made me smile. I walked over and kissed her on the cheek, too, then poured myself a giant glass of water and began drinking.
    “Good God, you haven’t been out running, have you?” Carrie asked.
    My mother looked stunned.
    “Alexandra Charlotte Thompson, the sun is barely up, and you’ve been out running in the dark? What’s gotten into you? Don’t you know it’s dangerous to run alone at night in the city? Strange men and rapists and God only knows what are out there.”
    I finished off my water, then quietly replied, “It’s not the strangers you have to worry about, Mom, it’s the people you know.”
    Carrie gave a little gasp, then took a sip of coffee to cover herself.
    My mother, her face screwed up in consternation, changed the subject. “Where did you get that T-shirt? It’s … truly ugly.”
    I smiled. “I feel much better this morning. Thanks for asking, mother. I’ve been out getting my exercise, and I think it’s going to be a fantastic day, don’t you?”
    “Oh, dear,” she said. “Of all the children I raised, I never expected to find one of them turning into an athlete, and a morning person at that.”
    Carrie burst into laughter. “You can’t control everything, Mom. And personally, I think it’s nice to see Alex happy.”
    I was getting my coffee when my mother conceded. “I suppose that’s true. You were rather miserable to be around last summer. I suppose you’re finally over that Dylan person.”
    I looked at my mother, and said, “It’s not really about him, Mom. It’s about me.”
    Mystified, she said, “Well, drink your coffee then. And… it’s nice to see you smiling.”
    I sat down and took a sip of my coffee, and my mother wandered off.
    Carrie gave me a sideways look and said, “Nice T-shirt. Know where I can get one?”
    I knocked her in the shoulder, and said, “Get your own. I’m sure you can find a soldier who’ll leave one lying around somewhere or other.”
    She smiled, then said, “Ray’s coming to Houston next week.”
    I grinned. “I know.”
    She smiled back. “I don’t know how serious we are. But… well, he’s a nice change from the guys Mom and Dad are always pushing on me. And the guys in my PhD program?” She mocked a shudder. “Hopeless.”
    I whispered, “Can you imagine Mom and Dad’s reaction if we both got serious with former soldiers? Dad would finally keel over from a heart attack.”
    “Maybe it would be good for him. You know he’s warming to Crank.”
    I shook my head. “Not possible.”
    “Anything is possible, Alex.”
    I shrugged. “Let’s hope so. I… I just wish I knew what Dylan is thinking.”
    She said, “He’s going to have to figure it out on his own, I think.”
    “I know. I’m just afraid… I’m afraid that he’ll pull back. That this is really the end.”
    She put her hand on top of mine, and squeezed gently. “What will you do if it is?”
    A wave of sadness swept over me.
    “I’ll grieve,” I said. “And then I’ll move on with my life. I’m not going to let him tear me up again like that. If he wants me… he’s going to have to go the distance this time.”

Go get her (Dylan)
    “Come on, Sherman, answer the damn phone,” I grumbled. On the fifth ring, he picked up.
    “The fuck?” he said as greeting, his voice thick with sleep. “It’s not even noon yet. This better be good, Paris.”
    “Sherman, I need your help.”
    He sighed. I could hear it on the other end of the line. Paris needs help again.
    “What is it, man?”
    “Is Carrie in San Francisco? Do you know how to get in touch with her?”
    “Yeah, she’s there, hanging with the family. Why?”
    “Okay,” I said, breathing a sigh of relief. “I need you to do me a favor. Talk to her. Ask her to make sure Alex doesn’t go out anywhere tonight.”
    There was silence at the other end of the line for a moment as he processed that, then he said, “Dude, where are you?”
    “I’m at JFK airport.”
    “Gotcha. You’re gonna make a run for it?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Good luck.”
    “I’m going to need it.”
    “Yeah, you aren’t kidding. Go get her. I’ll call Carrie, and we’ll make sure Alex is home. What time’s your flight get