A Little Excerpt

It was July 7, 2017, and Levi Cranston and his girlfriend, Mackenzie Burbanks, were home for the Fourth of July. So were his two best friends, Jack Andrews and Asad Prejesh. They have all lived in Boston since late spring, since Levi and Jack got jobs out there, and Mackenzie and Asad have been planning to go to grad school next fall. Their other friend, David Savino, stayed in Arizona for the holiday because he had some projects to catch up on for school. But the other four kids were planning to visit him when they go out there.

And things fell in place perfectly, believe it or not. Levi's sister, Victoria, got married to her long-time boyfriend, David Wolff, and they had their ceremony and reception at their house in central Valparaiso, Indiana. Olivia, Levi's and Victoria's sister, was also able to come in with her boyfriend, Brett Ingram, and best friend, Audrey Bersigno, from New York City. It was probably the best Fourth of July weekend in a while. And, of course, the youngest, Evelyn Maeve, was beyond excited to see everyone as well.

Today, Levi, Mackenzie, Jack, and Asad were leaving for the airport to go to San Francisco. Jack had to be there for his job, and Levi was going to work remotely for that time. While there, they were planning to visit their friend, David. And they were also planning to visit their other friends, Brody Ingram, David Ingram, and Andrew McCalsky. And they were going to be there for three days.

"How long has it been since we've seen David?" Jack questioned.
"A few months?" Asad replied.
"Yeah, since he started school last fall."
"So, yeah. A while."
"And we just recently moved out to Boston," Jack said.
"I like Boston. It was a while since I've been there, but it's nice," Asad replied.
"How's your summer class going?"
"Oh gosh! I don't even want to think about it right now."
"Sorry!"
"It's all good."

The four kids were sitting at the airport, waiting to board. It was going to take a little while for sure. At least another hour. Jack and Asad sat at the gate, while Levi and Mackenzie walked to the nearest coffee shop at the airport. Jack and Asad didn't want their coffee fix just yet.

"When was the last time you've been to San Francisco?" Levi asked his girlfriend of about ten years.
"I don't think my family has ever gone there. If we have, I don't remember," Mackenzie replied.
"Yeah, it's been a while for me. But last summer, my half-sister, Elizabeth, and her husband took me and Olivia to Philadelphia. This was right before we moved in that house on Erie Street in Valpo."
"I like Philadelphia. My brothers and I went there two years ago, and my parents went to Long Island to visit relatives."
"Which do you prefer?" Levi asked with a smile.
"Between which two cities?" Mackenzie replied with an even bigger smile.
"Ummmmm....Philadelphia or New York."
"Oh gosh!"
"Told you it'd be hard!"
"It is!"

It was obviously going to take a while for Levi and Mackenzie before they'd come back with their coffee. The line was very long. Now Jack and Asad really did not want their coffee fix. Not at this hour. Maybe when they'd arrive in San Francisco.

​"Okay, so this is between you and me, and I have to say something," Jack said.
"What is it? Don't tell me you want coffee now! The line is too long," Asad replied.
"No. Absolutely not."
"So, what is it?"
"Between you and me, and no else. Levi is thinking about proposing to Mackenzie."