Page 30 of Thanks for the Memories
“How is good ol’ Kennedy? Still kicking ass and taking names?” she asks.
“You know it.” I pause. “Although right now she’s in a complete tizzy over her mother-in-law coming to town and staying for ten days.”
I begin to mimic my sister’s last few phone calls.
“'Ten days, Reagan, ten,'” I joke. “Her mother-in-law is actually a really nice lady. She just doesn’t want her here for that long because it will take away from her alone time with Evan.”
“Stop. Did she actually say that?”
I roll my eyes. “No, but I know my sister. She said she could handle a week, but if not, she’ll be on my doorstep. I told her our guest room is occupied for the next five days. Thank you for that, by the way. You picked a great week to come.”
“I’m glad I could be of assistance,” she announces.
“She’s definitely planning on joining us for dinner one night.”
“I’m fine with that. You know I always wanted to be one of the Westbourne girls.”
I smile. “You are.”
Our conversation continues on the remainder of our drive back to the house. She asks me about my roommates, and we chat about her job. Thankfully, it already seems like no time has passed between us. I don’t know why I was so worried about her coming for a visit. When we pull up to the community gate, I introduce her to William, one of the security guards who Lila says is practically family. Apparently, he’s been working here for as long as Lila can remember. As we drive through the winding roads, Bethany comments on all the sprawling yards and illuminated palm trees.
“This is gorgeous,” she exclaims. “It’s so different from Chicago. So open and green.”
“Wait until you see it in the day. It’s a beautiful neighborhood. And Lila’s house is stunning. I fell in love with it the second I walked in. The backyard looks like it could be part of a resort.”
“Oh, I can’t wait to lounge by the pool and go to the beach. I’m planning to soak up every second in this paradise.”
I pull into the grand circular driveway, while she continues to look out the window.
“We’re here,” I announce.
Bethany practically leaps out of the car before I have a chance to put it in park. She’s as excited as a child in a toy store, so we quickly grab her suitcase from the back of the car and head into the house.
As soon as we’re inside the house, she spins around like Julie Andrews inThe Sound of Music.
“This is fabulous,” she squeals as she races toward the french doors that lead out to the back patio.
The pool is lit up, and the water is cascading perfectly over the rocks. I can understand why she’s so excited, because it’s pretty fantastic. I’m used to it of course, but some days I have to pinch myself that this is my home.
“I can’t believe you live here,” she breathes. “How did you get so lucky?”
I sit down on the edge of one of the lounge chairs.
“I guess you could say I was in the right place at the right time?” I suggest. “And I should give credit to my wardrobe malfunction. Lila came up to me at Pilates and told me I had my pants on inside out—after that we were instant friends.”
She purses her lips. “It doesn’t surprise me.”
“That I put my pants on inside out or that we became friends?”
She laughs. “Both. But I’m not surprised that you became instant friends with Lila. I haven’t met her yet, but you never had a problem making friends.”
“Hey, I didn’t hear you come in,” Gabby interrupts from the doorway. She’s wearing an oversized T-shirt and pink shorts.
“You’re still up,” I say. “Bethany, this is one of my roommates, Gabby.”
While they chat, I run to the kitchen to get some drinks. It also gives me a few seconds to breathe. So far, everything is going smoothly. In fact, it’s better than I expected. Granted, neither of us has brought up the way things ended when I left Chicago. I’m sure it will come up at some point in the next five days. But for now, I’m fine with not discussing it.
When I return to the backyard, Gabby is pointing to one of the hammocks and telling the story about how she met Theo.
