How My Summer Went Up in Flames

I know women are supposed to stand on their own and all. I get that. But every once in a while it doesn't hurt to wish for a fairy godmother, a little magic, and a happy ending.

First I lost my heart. Then I lost my mind.

Sometimes when you don't know what to do, it's okay to do nothing.

I don't know how long we stay that way, but we watch the sun go down together. The giant, burnt-orange sphere sinks towards the horizon, coloring the rock layers until it's gone and the canyon is covered in shadow.

It's quiet in the car, in a good way for once. No words, no music. Silence seems right. I roll down the windows and lean my head against the door frame, listening to the wind rush by and smelling the pine trees. I watch the stars materialize, like someone is dimming the switch on the night sky so each shining dot grows brighter and brighter.

You flambe one car and now you think every song with fire is about you," Logan says. "Get over yourself, Catalano.

You're lucky. You're getting this over with now. You only fall in love for the first time once." "That's very Taylor Swift of you," I say.

I cover my eyes with both hands. I think I'm either going to vomit or cry. At the moment, I can't decide which would make me feel better. I part my fingers to look at Matty. "It was only a few emails and texts." "A few?" "And maybe I showed up at ShopRite once or twice when he was getting off work. "Good way to keep busy after a breakup. Hoping incarceration would fill those empty hours?" Matty says.

There are no detours on a road trip, Catalano. There is only the road trip itself