Page 115 of The Summer We Mended
Lily and the twins stood outside the community center, a ceramic vase cradled carefully in her arms.The glaze shimmered with hues of blue and seafoam green, the brushstrokes faintly imperfect, delightfully human.She smiled at Nora’s small thumbprint at the base.One of many tiny imprints from the afternoon she and the kids had sat together, music in the background, hands slick with clay, laughter echoing through the studio.
When the kids heard about the art fair and that Mrs.Carter wanted a donation, the three of them decided that they would do something extra special.The vase, and a full dinnerware set: plates, bowls, mugs, all hand-painted in ocean tones, each piece subtly unique and made solely by Lily and the twins.The proceeds would go to the island’s children’s art program, now finally gaining the momentum it deserved.Nora and Blaze were practically vibrating with excitement.
Lily handed the vase to the volunteer behind the booth, her heart light.It felt right, grounding.For so long she’d floated through her days like seaweed drifting just below the tide.But this morning, she felt something solid beneath her again.She wasn’t just surviving anymore.She was living.
The fair bustled with life.Bunting fluttered in the breeze, booths brimming with handmade goods, sunhats and sunglasses dotting every smiling face.Children ran barefoot through the grass, chasing one another between rows of artwork and pottery.
Anna and Luke arrived just after ten, both decked out in their matching volunteer shirts, white cotton splashed with bright handprints.Luke trailed behind her, sunglasses on, a coffee in each hand.Anna beamed as she waved Lily over.
“You should’ve seen Nora,” Anna said later that day, breathless with laughter.“She practically took over the face-painting booth.She’s painted at least a dozen butterflies today.And two dragons.”
Lily’s heart filled at the sight of them—her family, as stitched together as ever.Luke handed her a coffee with a smile and a wink.“From the booth that actually grinds their own beans.”
“My hero,” she said, accepting it gratefully.
They walked together along the rows of stalls, Nora pulling Anna from booth to booth, her face bright with joy.Blaze helped hand out maps and programs, delighting in being useful.Lily stood still a moment, watching them all with a sense of profound gratitude.
Her studio booth had drawn a small crowd.The vase sat on a pedestal, bathed in sunlight, surrounded by the plates and mugs she and the kids had spent hours crafting late into the night.They were hers, yes, but they were also David’s.And the kids’.And the island’s.
She made her way over, smiling at a red sticker that read SOLD on the tag beneath the vase.
“Someone scooped it up in the first ten minutes,” the volunteer told her, eyes wide with appreciation.“Said it was the most beautiful thing they’d ever seen.”
Lily swallowed past the lump in her throat.“That means a lot.Thank you.”
“We love that you made all this with the kids.It gives it a special kind of flair,” Mrs.Carter said as she walked up behind Lily.
“It really does, doesn’t it?They’re quite the little muses.”
“A lot of the kids are raving about how great of a teacher you are.I’m glad that you decided to keep that part of your studio.”
“I really owe that all to my grandkids.I don’t know that I would have it if it hadn’t been for them.”
“I’ll make sure to thank them properly.”Mrs.Carter grinned.“It really is good to have you and the family out here volunteering.We’ve missed you something fierce, Lily.”
“I didn’t realize how much I missed it,” she replied softly.
“It was good to see you,” Mrs.Carter said with a smile before she waved and went off to greet another fairgoer.
About ten minutes later, Lily was surrounded by her family.Cody, Henry, Claudia, Jess, and Maisie were all there to support her and she couldn’t be happier.It really put a perfect bow on the event.
“We’ve got a little news,” Anna said, grinning wide as she and Luke came up to the group.
“Oh yeah?What’s that?”Cody asked.
“After a lot of talking, some long nights, and more than a few pro-con lists… Luke’s decided to retire from active duty.We’ve decided to stay on the Vineyard.We’re looking for our own place.We want the kids to grow up surrounded by you all and the studio and a community who cares.”
Claudia clapped, her hands trembling with emotion.Tears pricked her eyes.Maisie hooted excitedly, while Jess did, too.
“This is the best news,” Henry interjected as he shook Luke’s hand.
Anna leaned in and hugged her Aunt Claudia tightly.
“Are you serious?”Cody gasped.
“Yes, sir,” Luke replied as he clapped him on the back.“I’ve got enough leave saved up that I probably won’t have to go back to Langley much, but I did my time and it’s time to start retired life.”
“That’s such wonderful news.I’m so glad to have you guys here with me full time.”
