Page 132 of Already Home

Over the next two days, more visitors arrived. The hospicenurse came by every morning to check on Serenity. There were others, as well.Wolf, of course, and about a dozen people Jenna had never met. Young and old,male and female. A guy in his twenties sat on a cushion in the corner and playedwhat Jenna was pretty sure was a sitar. A tall, old woman in a magical-lookingheaddress stood over Serenity and chanted. Ellington visited daily, but Jennadidn’t see him much and never alone.

She supposed she should be angry with him, too, for keeping thesecret. She understood the ethics of his relationship with Serenity and knew hehad, in his own way, tried to tell her the truth.

The ebb and flow of visitors provided a rhythm to the days.There were stories about Serenity’s life, laughter and plenty of tears. Jennafound herself torn between wanting to be close to Serenity and wanting to getaway.

Violet came when she could, spending the evenings holdingDragon. Marshall stood by the door, watching it all, then slipping away to hisstudy where the world was still normal. For Jenna, time went both too quicklyand too slowly. As always, Beth was there, strong in her support.

A week after Serenity had left the hospital, the hospice nursewalked into the kitchen.

“Very soon,” she said. “I thought you’d want to know.”

“Thank you,” Beth said, watching Jenna.

Jenna nodded but found she couldn’t speak. “I’ll stay hometoday,” she managed at last. “I’ll tell Violet to close the store.”

“Whatever you think is best.”

A young guy walked in holding incense, asking for matches. Bethhanded them over. When he was gone, she looked at Jenna.

“I’m never going to get that smell out of the carpet.”

Jenna smiled, then started to laugh. After a few seconds, thehumor turned to tears.

“I’m a wreck.”

“You’re preparing for someone important in your life to die.Give yourself a break.”

Jenna looked at her mother. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, hon. Now wipe your face. Serenity doesn’twant to see you cry.”

She returned to Serenity’s room to the music playing and thecandles burning. Serenity lay on her bed, her eyes closed, her breathingslow.

Tom leaned over her and whispered something.

She opened her eyes.

“My children are all here,” she said, her voice weak. “Movecloser. I want to see you.”

Jenna found herself between Dragon and Wolf. Tom stood on theother side of the bed. They joined hands. Serenity studied each of them.

“I’ve been very blessed,” she whispered. “I couldn’t ask formore.”

She seemed to choke. Jenna started to move toward her only torealize her breathing had stopped. She waited, willing it to start again, but itnever did. There was only silence.

Someone put out the candles.

Twenty-One

Jenna didn’t wait for Serenity’s body to beremoved by the local funeral home. Instead, as soon as Beth had called thehospice center, Jenna ducked out, racing to her car and driving away. She’d goneabout three miles before realizing she didn’t know where to go or who to talkto. Everyone she knew and loved was back at the house.

She drove aimlessly through Georgetown, thought about headingto Dallas and from there... Where was there to go? She knew she couldn’t outrunwhat had just happened—that she had to deal with it sometime. Just maybe nottoday.

After nearly an hour, she found herself parking in front of thehealing center where Ellington worked. She walked inside and introduced herselfto the receptionist.

The young woman looked at her. “You’re Serenity’s daughter?”she asked, her voice cracking slightly.

Jenna nodded.

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