Page 83 of Summer After Summer

“That’s great, Sophie.”

“Did you have a good day?”

“Not bad.”

“I’m glad you came tonight.”

“Me too.” So far, anyway. I take a glass off a passing tray. “Can I ask you something?”

“What?”

“Did you get cards from Mom on your birthday? I mean after she died?”

Sophie purses her mouth. “Yes, a few.”

“Do you remember how many?”

“Three? Four? I have them somewhere.” She takes a sip of her wine. “How many did you get?”

“Two.”

“Huh. Maybe I’m remembering wrong.”

She’s being nice, but I can feel the sadness of the slight creeping up my neck. “Maybe.”

“What’s this about, Olivia?”

“I don’t know … being back here, I guess. Going through all of her things.” I motion to what I’m wearing. “This is her dress.”

“You look like her.”

“No, you do.”

“Can’t we both look like her?”

My throat tightens. “Of course we can.”

The lights above us dim, the universal signal to take our seats. Sophie gives me another quick hug, then pulls me to our table, somewhere in the middle of the crowd. Fred and Lucy are already there, their heads tipped toward each other.

I stifle a burst of jealousy and sit down next to Lucy.

“Olivia! You look fabulous.”

“Thanks, you too.” Her makeup is flawless, and she’s wearing a peach-colored chunky necklace around her neck that accentuates her skin tone and pairs perfectly with the sea-green halter dress she’s wearing. “The dress was my mother’s.”

“How perfect. Fred, doesn’t Olivia look fantastic?”

He turns his head slowly toward me. “Lovely as always.”

Lucy gives him a playful tap on his chest. “Fred! What’s wrong with you? She’s glowing.”

“It’s fine, Lucy,” I say. “I do look a lot older than the last time Fred saw me.”

“What? No. You’re one of those ageless beauties.”

Fred and I make eye contact. I raise my arm slowly to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear, so that Fred can see what I’m wearing on my wrist. “You’re sweet.”

Fred’s pupils contract, and I know I’ve wounded him.

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