Page 164 of The Book of Summer

Together they’d march across the wide lawn, over the public walking path, and down their private stairs to the beach below. They’d spread out blankets and set up their chairs. Passersby would smile at the pretty family from the big old house.

“Well, Mom,” Bess says at last, scowling at the spot where the kitchen once stood.

Cissy looks at her.

“I love when you call me Mom,” she says. “It’s quaint. Old-fashioned.”

Suddenly Bess’s frown loosens. She shifts her face halfway to a smile.

“Oh, Mom,” she says, and sighs. “Mom. Mom. Mom. The best one there is. We should get you back to Tea Time. Clay and Lala will be there by now.”

“And Sarah,” Cissy says, grinning, as she thinks of her new grandchild, only a week old.

“And Sarah,” Bess agrees.

“Plus you have a flight to catch.”

Bess glances toward the truck behind them, which holds her luggage in its bed. The very idea of San Francisco is unthinkable. It feels like she’s been gone a century. Will she even remember the route to her new apartment? Does she live on the second floor or on the third?

As they walk toward the truck, arms still around each other, they see Chappy and Evan hop out of the cab as if they’re ushers prepared to shepherd them on.

“We’re ready,” Cissy says. “No need to get out.”

“Hey.” Chappy takes her hand. “Come here.”

He escorts Cissy away from Bess and Evan.

“I want to say good-bye, too,” Bess hears him say.

Chappy and her mother walk to the edge of the cliff. Bess can’t hear their words but detects that labored breathing that accompanies a rush of tears. Maybe Cissy isn’t done with the crying after all.

“What’s the plan?” Evan asks, pressing his mouth into a hard line. “Airport first?”

His own eyes water.

“That makes the most sense,” Bess says. “Since it’s on the way. I appreciate the ride.”

“Bess, don’t even…”

“Especially since my other option is Cissy and her bike,” Bess tries to joke.

Evan looks at her.

“No matter what,” he says, “I’ll come get you. Any time. All you have to do is call and I’ll be right there.”

Bess understands he’s not referring only to the airport.

“You’re going to be completely annoyed by how much I take you up on that,” she says, and means it.

“I’ll count on it.”

“You know I love you, right?” Bess asks.

“I know.”

“And you know that I have to leave,” she says. “I don’t want to but it’s not really a choice. Not right now.”

“I know.”

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