Page 83 of Flying

Turning his phone over, he shows me a pair of airline tickets. “Well, I figured that we can have our roots here but continue to travel to get ideas. First stop I picked was London. I’ll take you to Kensington Gardens to meet the original Peter Pan before we try some warm beer. I hear people like it.”

Shaky hands, I take his phone and look again. “That sounds good to me, I think loving you will be an awfully big adventure.” Leaning in, we kiss and Pete uses our distraction to nab himself the remaining half of my sandwich. Worth it, completely worth it.

That evening,we head to the Hendrix home together and Elizabeth pulls me into a hug of epic proportions. “After three sons, I hope you don’t mind, I need a daughter. I’ve waited over thirty years for one,” she greets me before hugging me again.

An unfamiliar male voice shouts from the other room, “Thanks for the reminder that you wanted me to be a girl,” to which Elizabeth laughs and says, “Anytime Scout!”

She pulls me into the kitchen, where she opens the fridge and pulls out a large glass pitcher of iced tea with slices of lemons and peaches floating inside. I pick up an ornately carved highball glassand begin to fill it with the ice cubes and mint stalks she set out. Handing her each glass as I go, she pours in the tea and makes small talk.

“I hope this is not an overstep, Lily, but I obviously know Belinda and Neal relocated to the shore house. Their loss.” She tosses me a glance that reminds me so much of River’s attitude, and I melt a bit.

“Thing is, you’re never too old to need a mom, and while I’m not your mom by birth I would be happy to be the bonus mom in your life.” She smiles softly while looking at the glass in her hand. Holding one up towards me, she invites me to join her on the deck and we step outside.

Feeling the sunshine warm me, I take a fortifying sip and thank Elizabeth. “I would really like that, Elizabeth.”

“Good,” she sharply replies, “because as your bonus mom, I need you to know before everyone else in this tiny gossip mill finds out that word is Nicole is selling her business to go on some retirement cruise of the Mediterranean. I believe the quote was, hoping to find my fifth husband at the high roller table in Monte Carlo, so she’s going to need someone to take over the dance studio. This is an institution and preventing it from disappearing from town would definitely curry the favor of those crotchety Kelly men.”

Tilting my head as I ask, “Did you tip off your son too?”

She hadn’t and I proceed to fill her in on the sweet gesture from River earlier.

“Well, well. Isn’t that something?”

Joy ripples off of everyone here today. Her phone’s alarm starts to ring. “Excuse me a moment, stay. Enjoy the sun.”

The glow and warmth tickles my exposed arms as I tick through the stories of previous maternal conversations. It’s been twenty-five minutes and Elizabeth has already focused on me more than Belinda ever did.Damn, so that is what this is like.

After a few minutes, I hear the door open and River tells me to head back in for dinner. A spread of baked ziti, salad, bread, chicken, and a stack of plates covers the kitchen. River makes his father a plate alongside his own as we serve ourselves before walking into the dining room.

“No Robert?” Jonathan looks around, confused.

Elizabeth shakes her head no. “Something came up at the last minute and he says he is stuck at the office still despite it being Sunday. I don’t understand that boy.”

I’ve endured my share of passive aggressive parental feedback and tense, but she ends with, “Whatever makes him happy, right?”

It’s not a smooth segue, but I was forewarned that Jonathan’s speech is rougher than ever these days.

“Seth was here with more free audio book codes for me, said that you and Delia have really made the place into something special. Said Gemma and the wife turned our first place back into a home. Like when you were little. You know, Son, growing old is no fun. You sometimes have to give up the things you loved before you are ready to.” He places his silverware down on his plate and interlaces his fingers. His posture mimics a school child waiting for teachers instructions.

“You know, he reminded me that we George’s have always had a big part in all things Peacock Springs. I promised your mom a good day today, and I can’t think of a better gift.” He sits up a bit taller, like he’s trying to overcome any physical limits and appear serious, thoughtful, and potentially a bit intimidating. He reaches a hand towards his wife.

I reach under the table and place my hand lightly on River’s knee, just so he knows I’m here.

“I’m proud of you, Son,” he says plainly. River reaches and grabs my hand and squeezes three times, our silentI love you.

“River, I am proud of what you’re doing to keep the Hendrix business alive. Scout, when you are done with school you should really consider coming home for a little bit to help your brother take more breaks. He’s got a good eye, he brought a bunch of ideas back from Vermont and Denver.”

Turning his gaze my way Jonathan adds, “I’ve been told you are the one responsible for those. Thank you, Lily, for helping us maintain this legacy. It seems like it’s only a matter of time before you’re a Hendrix too, anyhow.”

My palms are sweating now.

Elizabeth lightly taps her husband, and looks at him with so much love and admiration, before saying, “Don’t put pressure on them, theyare kids. Let’s focus on the wedding coming up. Are you two ready for the rehearsal dinner at The Featherweight?”

Thankfully, that’s the last marriage is mentioned to me, and the rest of the evening is filled with teasing and laughter. Walking back with River to our cottage, I know I don’t need anything else, because this is family. This is home.

epilogue

River

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