Page 138 of Already Home

“I made Serenity’s seven-layer dip,” Virginia Heaton toldJenna, then wrinkled her nose. “Although I did use real sour cream andcheese.”

Betty Vorse had brought several of the appetizers Jenna hadtaught early on, while Erica West carried in a Crock-Pot containing curriedlentil soup.

By eleven there were over twenty women in the store, all eatingand talking, telling stories about Serenity. Beth arrived with the last wave andmoved toward Jenna.

“Violet called and said what was going on. I wanted to comejoin the fun.”

“I’m glad you did,” Jenna told her.

Beth tucked a loose strand of Jenna’s hair behind herdaughter’s ear. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m okay. This is exactly what she would have wanted.”

Beth eyed the table. “Without the chorizo dip.”

Jenna grabbed a chip and dug in. “She might have tried it.”

The women stayed well into the afternoon. About one, Robynpopped in from Only Ewe. She had a long, slim wrapped package in her hands.

“I heard there was a party,” she said.

“A memorial for Serenity,” Jenna told her. “There’s plenty offood. Every time we start to get low, someone else shows up with somethingdelicious.”

“Serenity would say that was the universe at work,” Beth saidwith a laugh. “In this case, she would be right.”

Robyn handed Jenna the package. “She was making this for you.She died before it was done, so I finished it.”

Jenna set down her glass of soda and took the gift. She set iton a table and carefully opened the plain gold paper. Inside was a knittedpuppet of a chef with long red hair and green eyes. The puppet had on a tinychef’s jacket with “Jenna” stenciled on the left side.

Jenna felt tears fill her eyes. She didn’t bother to fightthem, instead giving in to both the loss and the happiness she felt.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “It’s perfect.”

“She was amazing,” Robyn said. “I barely knew her, but shetouched my life. That’s a special gift.”

“The best gift,” Beth added. “To love and be loved is ourpurpose. Serenity gave us all that treasure.”

“And tofu,” Jenna added with a half laugh, half sob.

Beth leaned against her, chuckling. “And tofu.”

Violet raised her glass. “To Serenity. May you always travelwith the wings of a butterfly.”

“To Serenity.”

Jenna drank to the unexpected gift that had been her birthmother. The woman who had brought each of them joy.

* * *

Violet arrived home happy and exhausted. The day hadbeen emotional but also wonderful. She was excited about the plans for the storeand happy to know that Jenna wanted to go along with all of them.

For once, she entered her apartment without thinking aboutCliff. Her ribs were healing, as was her spirit. She wasn’t whole yet, but sheknew she soon would be.

After kicking off her shoes, she headed to the small kitchen.Thanks to Jenna, she was no longer content with a frozen dinner. Instead, shepulled out fresh tomatoes and the sea scallops she’d bought the previous day.She would sauté them in butter and garlic, serving them with pasta with freshtomato and basil sauce along with a green salad. She’d had a long conversationwith the wine expert at the Georgetown Winery and with her help had picked outtwo chardonnays and a merlot to try.

She’d barely pulled out a bowl to start the salad when someoneknocked on her door.

Her first reaction was fear. Instinctive, powerful, it nearlymade her knees buckle. Then she drew in a deep breath, despite the protest fromher ribs, squared her shoulders and walked to the door. Cliff was back inIllinois. Marshall had confirmed that for her. She was safe. Better than that,she was stronger than she’d been before. Eventually, she would get herfight-or-flight response to realize that.

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