Just as I'm about to head on my way, my phone rings. Curious, I lift it up again to find Joey calling me.
Oh s**t, was I actually late? I thought I'd only left forty-five minutes ago, but maybe I remembered wrong. I was pretty unfocused, at the time.
Quickly, I answer, "Hey Joey."
"Hey, Ali! Are you on your way back yet?" His voice sounds a little quiet, but it's the slight panic I'm more worried about.
I pick up the pace, heading swiftly down the trail. "Yeah. Sorry if I'm late, I thought I left at ten thirty, but was it earlier?"
"Huh? No, you're good. Actually, you can stay out longer, if you want."
That stops me dead in my tracks. "What?"
"Yeah, take your time. Eric told me you looked really stressed, and since you have your phone, no need to rush."
This coming from one of the
