Page 53 of Coral Memories

After Brooke and Kai finished their school year, Ginger brought them to Summer Beach. By then, Marina had met Stan, a wonderful young man who eased her heartache. They married, and Ginger was happy they were starting a life together. Stan was a young officer in the military, while Marina studied and worked at a cafe.

However, their happiness was short-lived. Marina was pregnant with twins, and Stan lost his life in Afghanistan. She also returned to Summer Beach.

Soon, the cottage rang with the voices of Ginger’s three granddaughters and Marina’s newborns.

Jack knew all that. He would do fine, she decided.

Just then, his heel slid on the dirt path, and she caught his arm. “Be careful,” she said. “One can fall quickly.”

“So it seems,” Jack said, looking sheepish. “What did you do when everything fell around you?”

“After the accident, I suddenly had to care for a growing family. I reached out to my former contacts and took on contract work in my fields of expertise. Many people I worked with before provided work.”

That included Kurt, Grace, and Silas, among others. Even dear Oliver had referred her to people. She named them all for Jack.

“Are those some of the so-called vacation trips you still take?”

She smiled and nodded. “You figured that out, did you?”

“Marina wondered why she never met those friends or saw photos.”

“I didn’t want to worry anyone, and I can’t share many details.” She went on. “As you’ve heard, I also taught at the local high school.”

“How could you do that without teaching credentials?”

She kicked a branch in the path to one side. “When the Summer Beach school board learned of my availability, they created a special visiting lecturer status for me so I could teach math. It worked for everyone.”

By the time they reached the end of their hike, Ginger decided that Jack was right to include that part of her history.

If her story could serve others, that was all that mattered.

And that was the entire point of this manuscript.

Now, she thought of those chaotic days with tenderness. In Summer Beach, her family had healed together, finally finding sunshine on the other side of the storm.

Ginger stoodat the kitchen counter of her cottage. She had just returned from a vigorous swim in the ocean with her middle granddaughter. Brooke excelled on the swim team in high school. After their ocean swim, Brooke quickly showered and left on a date with Chip, a newly minted firefighter in a community south of Summer Beach.

Ginger liked Chip, even though he was still a boy at heart. Brooke had an earth mother presence, and the two were good together.

With all the girls busy, the soothing sound of waves crashing on the shore was her only company. The setting sun cast a warm pink glow through the windows. She looked out, enjoying the moment. They’d come so far in the last year.

Tonight, she was making a light supper of salad, French onion soup, and sandwiches from a roasted chicken she’d prepared the day before—just as her friend in Cambridge had taught her so many years ago. These days, she loved watching Julia’s cooking show on television.

This dinner was only for herself and Marina, who had just put the twins down to sleep. Kai had her first theater rehearsal at school in a lead role she’d been thrilled to land. A neighbor would bring her home later.

Marina entered the kitchen with excitement etched on her face. “I have some news,” she began, her voice tinged with nervous energy.

“What is it, dear?”

“I’ve been offered a job in San Francisco,” Marina blurted out, her eyes shining. “It’s with a television station. I also found anau pairto help with the twins.”

Ginger’s heart swelled with pride and a touch of concern. Marina had been working toward finding a job for months. “That’s wonderful news,” she said, pulling her into a warm embrace. “You’ve earned this.”

As they sat down at the small kitchen table, Ginger studied Marina’s face. “I’m happy for you, but I want to make sure you’re ready for this. It’s been quite a year for you, adjusting to motherhood—and everything else.”

Determination was evident in Marina’s eyes. “It’s time for me to figure out my life. This job has upward mobility, and it pays well. I can’t rely on you forever.”

Ginger reached across the table, squeezing Marina’s hand. “You know I don’t mind, sweetheart. I’m happy to help for as long as you need.”

---