A second chance at sunrise

sunlight streaming through the window. She blinked, dis

ed into gear. The wedding!

nd she sat up with a jolt.

s events. Vague memories of drinking and laughter swirled in

epened. This wasn't her hotel room... or wa

dal wave, recogniti

om, in her parents' hous

spent countless nights drea

Jake had once sat on he

to be at the hotel for Rachel's wedding. How

ow she got there, confusion clouding her

eep?" her mom called out

er mom's youthful appearance. "Mom?"

Don't think you can flatter me

er mom looked decades y

in. "I'm supposed to be at her wedding. I was

u saying, Lexi? Get up and get ready for school

he repeated, her voice laced with incr

gument. "Lexi, stop this nonsense. You'

spun out of c

e you saying? This has to be some kind of joke. I'

g Lexi's words. "You're not skippi

ned and left the room,

bed, her mind reeling, an

staring back

ar old self sta

gray strands; the smooth skin, n

tried to recall the events le

ke leave Rachel's party, t

ter that was

ppened?" Lexi whi

how traveled

nd of dream or p

hildhood home. The aroma of freshly baked breakfast, brewing coffee,

le, while her dad sat engrossed in the

he took in the scene. She had never a

m, embracing her tightly. Then, she turne

rprise etched on her face. Lexi had been a rebel

Lexi said, her voice trembli

glance. "We love you too, h

ining breakfast. "Hurry on, or you'll be

, Lexi stepped out into t

or her, looking effortlessly cool in a tank top a

ng to miss school," R

ds her, embracing h

urprise. "What's with you

s was her best friend, her co

ready," Rachel pleaded, tryi

sed her grip, holding

to see you," Lexi said

s here for you, Lex. Now, come on! We do

the fifteen minute walk to school, Lexi's voice carried

ng to capture the moment, to remember

d. "What do you mean?

a etched on her face. "I meant I

n deepened. "What

ng onto Rachel's. She stopped abrup

aid, her voice barely above a whisper,

om curiosity to amusement. "Did yo

hint of a smile playing

laced by genuine concern

Lexi hesitated, her eyes se

e barely above a whisper. "I think I'm from

ion etched on her face. "What

w. "I am thirty-five, an

rmed to nostalgia. "We've a

tually live there. We are thirty-five, an

led with amusement,

esterday, and I passed out. When

and for a moment, Rachel si

hel's lips. " Now is not time for y

ed their walk to schoo

called after her, desperat

over her shoulder. "Ma

r understanding, but R

to Rachel. "Why won't you believe me, Chel?"

use you sound silly. It was al

reeping in. "Fine, don't believe m

exi, warm and reassuring. She took

are," Rachel teased, "yo

laced by a smile. For a moment,

at maybe, just maybe, having Rachel by her si

ingered: Was this