Annie and Jack went through a few more ups and downs, but once they smoothed out, it was like riding in Lady Powell on calm waters. Perfect. In the fall, Ashton started school, and Carolina, like Ashton before her, played at Grandmother Milly’s while Mommy and Daddy went to work. Annie started off working only part-time, but after she’d been there for a few months, she couldn’t fathom not being there full-time. Jack slowly went back to work at Powell’s Sweet Wood Design. He only took basic orders at first, eventually graduating to more complex items. Grandmother and Auntie were still hanging on, but Annie prepared herself for the day they’d be gone. Whenever one of them got ill or had to start taking a new medication, she wondered if their end was nearing. The one consistent thing they did was Sunday dinner, and even on the days when Grandmother wasn’t feeling particularly well, she came dressed in coordinated apparel. And during the spring and early summer, before it got too hot, both Grandmother and Auntie pleaded with Jack for boat rides on Lady Powell. They didn’t have to plead too hard, but it was fun to see them do their best to convince him why he should take them.
“It will probably be our last boat ride,” Lilly said, crying crocodile tears.
“Yeah, Jack. Do it for us. Do it for one last time,” Patty said in her most dramatic tone.
Jack held up his hand. “No worries. Grab your shawls, grab your sunbonnets. Lady Powell leaves the dock in five minutes.”
“What?” Lilly grabbed Patty’s hand, tugging her to the front door.
“Don’t leave without us,” Lilly called out as they hit the porch running.
“Jack,” Annie said, trying to hide her giggles.
“See how fast they took off to the cottage? Those two aren’t even close to calling it a day.”
“I know, but I can’t afford to have them get hurt. Grandmother might sprain an ankle or something.”
Jack widened his eyes. He rushed to the door and opened it. “Lilly. Patty. Wait up.” He tore out of the house, leaving Annie alone. Shaking her head, the corners of her mouth drew up.
Jack continued with therapy and got on a list for a prosthesis. Annie realized it would mean Jack had to learn how to use it, and with that challenge, would come more anguish. But she prepared for it, too, like she prepared for the day Grandmother and Patty would leave.
Mary and Danny stayed on at the old Charleston homestead. After all of her complaining, she decided it wasn’t so bad after all. And soon, they had their own little one crawling around, giving everyone something else to be grateful for.
The college friends made a pact and stuck with it to see each other more often. Sometimes it was just a quick lunch, sometimes it was a girls’ night out, just like old times. Annie loved seeing them, and even though they’d gone in different directions, they found time to stay connected, and it made her happy.
Vicky, Scott, Jasmine, and Jackson visited often, and on many summer days you could find them down at their little slice of heaven, the private beaches they shared on the tiny island, basking in the sun, watching the children play, throwing back a few cold ones and remembering the good times.
Annie and Jack had a lot to be grateful for, and they vowed never to take anything they had for granted, including each other.