Kate, Cyndy’s friend, and Izzy arrived on Monday. They were warm and friendly; the kind of women that made Lily feel as if she had known them forever. Cyndy invited them to dinner and included Lily and Mac in the invitation. With Mel working late at the library and Donna and Jeff looking after her, Lily felt comfortable going. Part of her still hated the idea of leaving Mel on her own, but she would have to get over it.
Knowing Mac was bringing Sherlock and Sunny, a beautiful golden he had taken in from a patient who was ill and could no longer care for her, Lily loaded her dogs into the car for the short drive to Cyndy’s. The dogs played and romped in the yard, and Mac whispered that he was certain Sunny had chosen Izzy as her person. Mac did his best to sell Izzy on the idea over his sister’s scrumptious meal. Sunny was such a sweet dog and missed her owner terribly. Lily kept her fingers crossed, hoping Izzy would decide to adopt the good-natured dog.
They had a fun evening visiting and getting to know Kate and Izzy. As they left, Lily could tell Sunny had made an impact on Izzy and that she was giving the idea serious consideration.
The next morning, Lily’s heart warmed at the new ripple of excitement in Mel when she talked about her driving lessons and added them to the calendar Lily had on her office wall. Jeff had helped her get her instruction permit and secure insurance for the car and she had taken a couple of driving lessons with Bob, the driving instructor and retired officer.
Knowing she would have her own transportation, eased Lily’s mind. Mel was a quick study and had been immersed in the driver’s handbook ever since Jeff brought her home. Lily had no doubt she would master the written test, but would have to build her confidence behind the wheel.
Driftwood Bay was by no means a crime riddled town, so the idea of Mel meeting danger again was slim, especially with Sally out of the picture. A shiver ran over Lily’s arms as she thought of Mel scared and stuck in a storage shed. She didn’t press her to talk about it and left it up to Dr. Clay and her expertise to help Mel recover.
Tuesdays and Fridays, therapy days, were always a toss-up, with Lily not sure what sort of mood Mel would be in after her session. Some days she was cheerful and a bit more talkative, smiling when she told Lily about a writing project for school or a new book at the library. Other days, she was even more withdrawn than usual and holed up in her bedroom for hours. Giving Mel space and letting her know she was available was all Lily knew to do. She also made sure to have some of her favorite cookies on hand. Cookies were the answer to many of life’s problems.
Mel wouldn’t be able to drive on her own until she completed her driving classes and passed the test, so Lily dropped her off at her appointments. Dogs sensed when people needed them most and on Tuesday when they picked up Mel, Bodie crawled over the console to be closer to her. Lily had been working to get him comfortable with his harness in the backseat, but couldn’t resist the love and acceptance in his eyes and the way Mel looked at him. Mel’s eyes were puffy and she held a rumpled tissue in her fist, but the corners of her mouth lifted when she petted Bodie. He nosed higher and licked her chin.
Lily, of all people, knew the power of a furry friend. The unconditional love and support they offered. The comfort of their warm body next to yours when you were scared and alone. Their patience and understanding when you rambled on and on, or cried into their soft neck. The paw on top of your hand, providing the reassurance you needed. The swish of their tail that vibrated with excitement, letting you know you were the most important person in their world.
Fritz had helped her through Gary’s death and moving here. She wouldn’t have made it without him. She made a mental note to bring Fritz and Bodie with her when she picked Mel up on Friday. They were exactly what she needed.
Along with helping with the cleaning and laundry, Mel was settling into her new routine of therapy, work at the library, and college classes. She spent most of her spare time doing homework, reading, or driving in preparation for her exam. This week, with only Kate and Izzy as guests, Lily invited Cyndy and Mac to join them for appetizers, along with Nora, whom she had first met as a guest at the cottage. She had stayed during her interview for a police officer and had been hired by Jeff. She and her daughter Bree, were still settling in as new residents of Driftwood Bay.
By the time Friday rolled around, Izzy had decided to adopt Sunny and give her a forever home. Mac was thrilled and outfitted Izzy with all Sunny’s toys and bedding. Izzy spent most of the afternoon playing in the backyard with all three dogs and they were tuckered out by the time Cyndy and Kate arrived from their last day of shopping at the tradeshow.
Lily had prepared one of her epic charcuterie boards for the evening. There was a guest lecture and reception at the library, and both Bree and Mel were interested in it. Despite Mel being about four years older, the young women got along well, and with both of them being new to town, they served as support for each other. Nora insisted on treating them both to dinner and dropped them at the café before the lecture, and Donna offered to make sure they got home when it was over, leaving Nora and Lily free for the evening.
The selection of snacks Lily had prepared was more than enough for dinner, and the group gathered around the fire pit in her lovely yard while they visited and nibbled. Lily longed for friends like those seated next to her. She hadn’t had a close circle of girlfriends back in Virginia. She had used her work friends as her social circle, but it wasn’t the same as listening to Kate and Izzy share some of their heartbreaking experiences. Even Mac chimed in and talked about the loss of his wife and his rocky relationship with his daughter, Missy.
People, no matter how put together they appeared on the outside, were often struggling with something deep inside. Sometimes, the ones who seemed the most polished, like Kate, were fighting the hardest battles.
So much had changed in Lily’s life over the past couple of years. Looking through the fluttering flames from the fire, she knew Cyndy was a loyal friend, someone who would be in her life forever.
Nora was struggling with her teenaged daughter, who made it clear she would rather be living with her father, and Nora’s heartbreak was evident in the glint in her eyes and the crack in her voice. Mac commiserated with her on that point, as did Izzy.
That same sense of understanding and acceptance was evident in the way Kate and Izzy spoke with such openness and feeling, making it easy for everyone to share their fears and struggles. Lily’s worries lightened, buoyed by their understanding and acceptance. If only they lived closer.
Some days it was hard not to focus on what she had lost. The pain, both physical and emotional that came when she thought of Gary, could bring her to her knees. Some mornings she didn’t have the energy or desire to get out of bed. Some nights she held Gary’s urn in her arms to get to sleep. Had it not been for Fritz, and now the responsibility for Bodie and Mel, she would have sunk into a deep despair. She wondered how her uncle had been able to go on without her aunt, living here with all these reminders.
Maybe it felt like she was still here. Maybe he took comfort in the life and legacy they had built, and her mosaics and sea glass creations soothed him. Maybe like her memories of Glass Beach Cottage, he savored all the happy times and years they spent together, admiring the view and sitting, like she was tonight, enjoying the lush yard and the sky filled with millions of twinkling lights.
Having a pity party was easy, looking for positive signs took more effort. Only now was she beginning to believe, truly believe, not just pretend, that she would be okay.
The blanket of stars across the sky, the soft glow from the almost full moon shining down upon them, and the crispness of the air, made for a wonderful fall evening. The dogs were piled next to each other a few feet away. Sitting here in the yard where she had spent so many fun summers, both made her smile and filled her with regret.
She wished she had spent more time with her aunt and uncle. She had been so wrapped up in her own life and kept thinking next year, always next year. It was easy to do. Everyone did it. The losses in her life had been sudden and tragic and now with Gary gone, it only served to drive home what she knew. She should not waste time, not prioritize work. It was a hard habit to break, but part of the reason she had moved was to have a clean slate, a do over.
She would not make those same mistakes. She would always be responsible and hard-working, that was ingrained in her, but she would make time for joy and fun. Most of all, she would make time for the people who were important to her and live her life focused on doing what made her happy. She wouldn’t save every dime and would spend money to make a trip to see Kevin or fly him out to see her. Instead of regarding time spent lingering over coffee to visit or chatting with Cyndy in her shop, admiring all the beautiful things, as a waste of time, she would reframe it as living a full life.
Thanks to her uncle and her pension, plus Gary’s, she didn’t need to worry about making ends meet. Her competitive nature and the challenge of making the cottages profitable spurred her forward, but she knew that wasn’t why her uncle had left her this property. He knew she loved it here and she had been happy here. He bestowed upon her much more than a valuable piece of land—he had given her a second chance at joy, at life.
She glanced over at Mac and her heart fluttered with a tingle of excitement. His handsome features and gorgeous eyes were only overshadowed by his kindness and gentle spirit. Being with him brought her joy and comfort. He must have sensed her gaze and winked at her, rewarding her with a slow grin.
Deep inside she knew Gary would like him and approve. She was a lucky woman and sensed she and Mac were on the brink of something special. Exactly what, she wasn’t sure, but the flutter in her chest told her it was deeper than friendship.