Page 33 of No Such Thing as Serendipity
“Remember when we were kids and we’d watchSesame Street? They’d sing that song. One of these things is not like the other.”
Emma’s eyebrows knitted. “Yeah, so?”
“I feel like we’re in the adult version of it.”
“Now you’ve lost me.”
“You saw the roads, the main office, the parking lots.” I paused, studying the villas, which could use a coat of paint and some TLC. “And the villas.” I held my arm out toward the fountain and then swept it in a circle, taking it all in. “This place does not match the others.”
Emma didn’t react to my comment. Instead, she said, “Wow, look at those flowers.”
Each corner of the square featured a flower garden that surrounded the four paths leading to the fountain. Farthest away from where we stood, closest to our villa, was the cool color palette. In one corner, the flowers were mostly purple and silver, and the other corner sported blues and whites. Closest to us were the warm colors. Orange and yellow flowers grew along our path, while reds and pinks filled the path on the other side.
We continued walking toward the fountain, taking in the rest of the grounds. The areas in front of the villas, sandwiched between the flower gardens, each had a different theme. To our right, in front of Harmony House, appeared to be the game area, which included a full-size sand volleyball court. A well-manicured grassy area that could rival the lush grounds of Augusta National Golf Club expanded in front of Gratitude Grotto, while across the square by Lovingkindness Lodge, a patio with wrought iron lawn furniture, complete with oversizedumbrellas, graced the bricked area. Across the way, in front of our villa, a firepit anchored the space.
As we took it in, an older black woman who sat on the porch of Tranquility Terrace waved. “Hello,” she called across the expanse. “Welcome.”
Emma moved her arm in a giant arc and shouted, “hi.” She grabbed my arm. “Come on, let’s meet our housemate.”
I took a deep breath. I could do this.
“Welcome to Tranquility Terrace,” the woman said as we approached. “Vera said there were sisters staying here, so I’m assuming that’s you.”
I put my hand on my chest in mock surprise, “What gave you that idea?”
“Except for the hair, you’re spitting images of each other. Twins?”
I groaned. “She’s eighteen months older.”
The woman shook her head. “Damn, I woulda pegged you for twins.”
“We get that a lot.” Emma walked up the stairs to the porch. “I’m Emma Fulton, and this is my sister, Blake Saunders.”
“Annie Coffman.” She held up her glass. “I’ve been sitting out here enjoying a drink, waiting for the rest of you all to arrive.”
“Long Island style?” I asked.
Annie held up her glass and wiggled her eyebrows. “I’m not saying.”
Emma’s eyes widened.
Annie chuckled. “Kidding. They discourage mind-altering substances here. They want us to get a natural high.”
Emma lifted her arms and raised her face to the sky before she twirled. “The healing power of nature, isn’t it fabulous?”
I stared at her, considering whether I should make a sarcastic comment.
Annie burst out laughing. She pointed at me. “Look at that face. Oh, lord, you are the yin to her yang, or is it the yang to her yin?”
“You be the judge, Annie.” Emma gave me a sickeningly sweet smile before she continued. “Yin is the dark side, while yang is the light.”
Annie cackled and slapped her hand on the table. “Oh, no, I’m not. I’ve already stepped in it enough. You all know who the yin and yang are.”
I waved my hand at her. “No harm. Emma knows how annoying her yang is.”
Emma stopped twirling and shot me a look before she said, “Please, ignore her. She doesn’t get out in civilized society much.” Emma leaned in and whispered, “She’s in private equity. A shark. Barracuda.”
“I also have ears.” I put on a scowl, even though I was used to Emma’s shtick.
