Finding June

by Caitlin Kerry

  So.

  Was I ready?

  Sure. Why the fuck not.

  I turned myself around and wound my arms around Reece’s neck. I leaned up on my tiptoes, much like the first time I had kissed him. We had passion in our kisses, lust and love mixing together, knowing our time together was growing shorter, but this kiss was full of confidence. Confidence for what? I wasn’t too sure, really, but for whatever was ahead for us.

  So this was it. I had checked in my bag, I had all the paperwork, passport, my iPod—the essentials. Daniel was here with Reece to see me off. Reece was staying with my brother and flying out the next day. I would be flying home directly to Boise in May and Daniel was driving my car back. I had hugged Daniel and he left, giving me Reece and I some time to say good-bye.

  I watched Daniel walk away, as Reece held me in his arms. I turned my gaze to Reece, knowing I had to let go eventually. We kissed in the airport as people swarmed around us, oblivious to our surroundings. I reluctantly pulled away.

  This time I didn’t cry, which was different for me because ever since Reece came into my life I usually was in tears. I cried because bad shit went down or because he warmed my heart and made me feel extreme joy. I don’t know why I was standing here about to say goodbye for a chunk of time and not crying. I felt safe and confidence in whatever Reece and I had, the love we shared and I knew it was strong enough for this adventure. Or at least I was putting all of my faith in this notion.

  “See you soon,” I told Reece.

  “Soon,” he promised me.

  I let go and walked away.

  “Wait.” Reece grabbed my hand and pulled me once more. This time he kissed me on the forehead, and then I felt his cool minty breath blowing softly over the kiss. “Want to make sure it doesn’t go anywhere. It has to last for a while.” I kissed him again, mashing my lips against his, savoring his touch. He was right, it would have to last. As I pulled away, I knew it wasn’t forever, but only for a short while. I blew him a kiss and turned, walking toward the security.

  I made it through security and was sitting in those weird leather/plastic chairs waiting to board my plane. If this was a movie, I would have made a drastic decision in my mind to leap from my chair and rush back down to Reece, who was now about to walk to the car. I would run and scream his name, grab his arm, and throw myself in his arms. I wouldn’t leave and we would live happily ever after. I pictured it as an early nineties romance movie. Meg Ryan running through the airport, and … well … Reece was pretty damn hot; I don’t know who would be hot enough to play Reece. Okay, so Meg Ryan and Reece, portrayed as himself. It would be magical and there would be fireworks or some shit.

  But that wasn’t my reality. I was bouncing my leg up and down. I needed to calm down. I pulled out the iPod and looked through the playlists. I looked at the one that said, When you miss me. It had been about, what, twenty minutes? Yep, that playlist worked. “Bone of a Song” by Josh Ritter came on. My mind went back to the day I got the tattoo, Lucky are you who finds me in the wilderness. Reece had found me time and time again and now I was about to embark on a journey of my own.

  The speaker went on and my section was called.

  I stood.

  I could be Meg Ryan and walk away.

  The thought went through my mind and I almost did it.

  But when I moved my feet, it was toward the gate, toward the plane, toward finding myself.

  August

  The sun shining in the city made for a sweltering day. As I waited outside, I was reminded of the heat of South America. My time there had been amazing. My eyes were opened to a different part of the world and I was amazed every day by the strength of human kind. Helping people open their own business and watch these families become self-sustainable was one of the greatest experiences in my life. It was hard to be away, not only from Reece but from the comfort of home as well. However, it gave me time to really do some soul searching. I had taken the journal Reece had given me and quickly filled it, even having to buy more. Getting my thoughts on paper became almost vital. Not only did I put my thoughts down, I couldn’t stop my mind from creating my own future. The empty building that I had passed in downtown Boise wouldn’t leave my mind. If people in a foreign country with barely anything to their name could start anew, create a way to live a life, then I shouldn’t have let fear stop me from creating my own. I started to create, by hand, a business plan and sketches for the building. I knew that empty space was meant to be filled and I wanted to be the one that created life in its bare shell.

  I turned to see a very attractive man walk down the street, his face lost in the shining sun. But I knew who it was regardless, my Reece. Coming home to him was the best, I missed him like crazy, but didn’t regret leaving one bit.

  “Hey there, my sweet June. Excited?” Reece wrapped his arms around me, kissing me gently on the lips. Since I had been home, I never did move out of Reece’s house. It seemed pointless and together we had been working on updating the house. Morrison grew so much in the six months I had been gone, now a full dog, large and slobbery but still damn cute. We were a family of three and no longer did the thought scare me.

  “Sorry I’m late, my last showing ran long.” The voice behind made me turn to face the relator, Sammy. She was great to work with. “All right, we ready to head in?”

  I nodded my head and Reece and I walked into the empty building, hand in hand.

  “Everything is ready to go. There are just a couple more things to sign, but just come by tomorrow and we can finish it up. I think that’s it.” Sammy handed me the key, and it sat in my hand. This tiny piece of metal was the gateway to the next chapter of my story and now I had new bare walls to fill. I was ready for it. With Reece by my side and the confidence I had in myself, I was excited to fill these bare walls with life.

  Music played a large role in writing Finding June. Here is the playlist in order of chapter. Enjoy! Check out my blog for more information about the music used. http://caitontheroad.blogspot.com

  “Youth” by Daughter

  “Today” by Joshua Radin

  “Much Farther To Go” by Rosie Thomas

  “Tight Rope” by Alex Clare

  “Bright Smile” by Josh Ritter

  “Line of Fire” by Junip

  “Broken Afternoon” by The Helio Sequence

  “We Sink” by CHVRCHES

  “Bloom” by The Paper Kites

  “The Woods” by Daughter

  “Your Rocky Spine” by Great Lake Swimmers

  “Something Good Can Work” by Two Door Cinema Club

  “Dear Avery” by The Decemberists

  “Still Life” by The Horrors

  “Nothing I Can Do” by Ben Taylor

  “Yellow Light” by Of Monsters and Men

  “Can I Stay” by Ray LaMontagne

  “Northern Wind” by City and Colour

  “The Night Starts Here” by Stars

  “Fall” by Cider Sky

  “Paper Doll” by Rachael Yamagata

  “Anywhere Your Love Goes” by Joshua Radin

  “Bone of Song” by Josh Ritter

  “Lovely Tonight” by Joshua Radin

  “Thanks” just doesn’t seem like the right words to show how much I appreciate the support I’ve had in this journey. In a way, I have to thank my seventeen-year-old self. (Can you do that? I totally just did that.) At that age I felt like the world was mine to take, that anything was possible, and I had to channel that strength and courage to go ahead and not only complete this goal of writing a book but to put it out in the world. That also came from my amazing parents, but in a large part my mom. I spent my whole life with my mom telling me I could be whatever I wanted. You weren’t kidding right? Because I seem to be taking that to heart and being many many things. I could never do any of it without the support and encouraging words you gave me as a child and the ones you still give me today. I love you more Mom.

  To my husband, you listened to me talk about
June and Reece like they were real people, like I was telling you stories about the funny things my best friends said. And you never said I was crazy, no you understood it completely. It’s something special in this life to find someone who understands you so fully and accepts you for who you are, weird quirks and all. Thanks for joining me on this adventure.

  To these wonderful ladies who gave me amazing feedback, took a chance on my book, and shouted out to the world about it. Your enthusiasm and support means the world to me. Thank you Heather, Natalee, Cristina, Gabi, Vilma, and Simone. This book wouldn’t be where it is today without you ladies!!

  To my person, Ashley and my best friend, Alex, thanks for showing me what an Always Friend is! Lindsi, you were the first to read the very beginning of June’s story and you telling me that you couldn’t wait to see where I went with this was the encouragement I needed. Thank you for always be so supportive, you are an amazing person! Keenan, thanks for loving June and Reece as much as I did, and the late night shouty cap texts asking what’s next! Breanne and Julie J.- You two are beyond amazing. Thanks for reading this, and then reading it again, and rereading it. Thanks for calming my nerves, for always being these amazing cheerleaders.

  To my editor, Melissa, thank you for taking such wonderful care of this book! Carly- I’m in love with this cover and can only thank you a million times for making it so gorgeous. And thank you Stacey for formatting this book and making is so pretty!

  And thank you for taking time to read June’s story! I hope you enjoyed it!!

  Caitlin Kerry is obsessed with the stories we tell. Her love of reading and writing led her to accomplish a goal she set for herself at the age of seventeen. She has a degree in History and Political Science and is only a semester away from a Masters in Public Administration. Caitlin is an avid tea drinker, hopeful adventurer, lover of music and often finds the best medicine is the quiet of nature.

  When Caitlin isn't writing or reading she usually can be found enjoying the great outdoors with her geologist husband, always looking for the next adventure. She currently resides in Southeastern Idaho.

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caitlin-Kerry/498293266874201

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaitLove88

  Website: http://caitontheroad.blogspot.com

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7275968.Caitlin_Kerry

  Table of Contents

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Epilogue

  Playlist

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author