CHAPTER EIGHTY NINE – ROAD TRIP

Claire arrived at Jasmine's apartment door, knocking with an enthusiasm that bordered on frantic. "Jazzy! Open up, it's me!" she called out. Jasmine opened the door, looking frazzled with her hair askew and paint smudges on her oversized shirt. "Claire? What are you doing here? I'm swamped with preparing for the gallery exhibit next week." Claire bounced on the balls of her feet, grinning widely. "Never mind all that boring art stuff! I've got the most brilliant idea to shake off those post-divorce blues." Raising an eyebrow skeptically, Jasmine replied, "Oh? Do tell." "A road trip!" Claire practically squealed. "You and me, hitting the open road with no plan, just a car full of snacks and rockin' tunes!" A surprised laugh escaped Jasmine's lips. "A road trip? Claire, I can't just drop everything and run off." Sticking out her lower lip in an exaggerated pout, Claire protested, "Why not? You've been cooped up in this apartment for weeks, slaving over those paintings. You need a b