Rum and Coke

“Hey, stop for a second,” Ellie said once Bailey unloaded her bags from Mattie’s rental car. He decided to wait in the car while the two girls said their goodbyes.

“I have a plane to catch, Ellie.”

“I know. I was- I just wanted to let you know that we’ll always be here for you. You know that, right?”

“Yes, Ellie. I know that.”

Ellie gave a half-smile. “You’re not going to come back on tour with us, are you?”

Bailey shook her head solemnly.

“Am I ever going to see you again?”

Bailey gave a long sigh before dropping her bags and wrapping her arms around the taller girl. “I've heard it said,” Bailey began to sing in her soft voice.
“That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good”

“It may well be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you”

“Because I knew you”

“I’ve been changed for good”

“And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for”

“But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share”

“And none of that seems to matter anymore”

“Like a comet pulled from orbit/ Like a ship blown from its moorings
As it passes a sun/ By a wind off the sea
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood/Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood”

“Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better”

“And because I knew you...”

“Because I knew you...”

“Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good...”

Ellie squeezed her friend tighter. “Gah, look at us. We’re such saps,” she said with a small smile as she pulled away from Bailey and wiped her eyes.

“Aweh, I kind of like just randomly bursting out into song. Life’s more fun that way.” Bailey said with an identical smile.

Ellie pursed her lips and sighed. “I’m going to miss you.”

“I’m going to miss you, too.” Bailey’s gaze landed on the arrivals and departures board. “Well, my flight just landed. I hope we find our way back to each other…someday.”

“Yea, me too…bye.” Ellie said with a wave of her hand.

Bailey waved back before turning and walking through the security check-point.