Page 21 of The Summer We Mended
Lily sat beside Jess, who had settled quietly at the edge of the table.Maisie had climbed onto her lap, showing her a string of sea glass threaded onto twine.
Margot poured another round of lemonade and set it in front of Lily.“I can’t tell you how happy I am to see this house full again.It’s been too quiet.”
“It really has,” Lily said, her voice catching a little.She sipped the tart drink, grateful for the sharpness of it.
The conversation turned to plans for dinner, and Claudia began humming to herself as she moved into the kitchen, her hands already preparing something from memory.Margot joined her, the two of them laughing and talking animatedly as they moved.
The kids tore off toward the swing tree, Henry trailing behind them with a slight limp and a firm voice telling them not to get too wild.Jess stood slowly, her eyes following her daughter.
Lily touched her shoulder lightly.
“You don’t have to be perfect here, Jess,” she said.“None of us are.”
Jess’s throat worked.She didn’t speak, just nodded again and stepped out into the sun.
Lily remained on the porch for a moment, her fingers trailing along the old wooden railing.She could claim she had a headache again, go inside, and hide away from the world again.It’s what she wanted to do, but she wouldn’t.She couldn’t.
She could almost hear David’s voice.“Come on, Lily Bell.We don’t get days like this often.Relish it.There’s no need to clean, no need to worry about anything but making memories with this family of ours.”
He was right then, and he was right now.And for today, that would be enough.
ChapterSeven
Anna
The sun painted the white clapboard buildings of Martha’s Vineyard in hues of gold and cream as Anna made her way down Main Street.The salty breeze rustled her ponytail and tugged gently at the loose hem of her cardigan.Her canvas market bag swung against her hip with each step, already half-full with produce from her first stop at the farmer’s market.
She’d left the kids with her mom.For now, the twins were happily occupied digging for treasures in the sand, no doubt buzzing from their beach adventure.Anna needed to clear her head.There was comfort in the simple task of gathering ingredients for chowder and fried clams, reassurance in recipes that had been part of her family for as long as she could remember.She clung to the routine, hoping it might tether her to something solid and familiar.
The bell above Georgia’s Market jingled as she pushed open the door.Inside, the familiar scent of pine floors and fresh bread wrapped around her senses.The market was cozy, cluttered, and charmingly disorganized.Locals moved easily through the narrow aisles, chatting as they filled their baskets.
Behind the counter, Georgia looked up from unpacking a crate of lemons.Her round face brightened with recognition.“Well, well.If it isn’t Anna Caldwell.Or should I say captain’s wife now?”
Anna laughed softly.“Still Caldwell.And he’s not a captain.”
Georgia came around the counter to give her a warm hug.“Well, whatever it is for a fancy fighter pilot, then,” Georgia laughed as she waved her hand dismissively.“It’s been too long.What brings you back to the island?Vacation?”
“Sort of.Luke’s deployed.I needed some space… and the kids needed Grandma time.”
Georgia nodded knowingly.“Grandma needed grandkid time.”
“That too,” Anna said with a smile.
“And how’s Lily?People have been wondering.It’s a shame about the studio being closed so much.”
Anna paused as she reached for a sack of littleneck clams from the cooler.“Has it been closed long?”
Georgia frowned, clearly happy to elaborate.“Oh, on and off all winter.Sometimes she opens, and sometimes she doesn’t.No warning.She’s always been so reliable, you know?She’s always loved being open for the locals, teaching and sharing her passion for pottery with everyone.People come here expecting to see those shelves stocked with her pottery.That little shop was a draw for tourists and locals alike.And her classes!Everyone misses those.I noticed she put up a sign saying closed for the season.That will break a lot of hearts.”
Anna’s stomach knotted.“I didn’t realize.I thought maybe she was taking it easy.”
Georgia lowered her voice conspiratorially.“Some folks think she’s not quite herself since David passed.And who could blame her?That man was her sun and moon.But Lily always bounced back before.This time… well, we’re worried.”
Anna forced a smile and thanked her, trying to hide the swirl of guilt tightening in her chest.As she added potatoes, celery, onions, and cream to her basket, her mind raced.The studio was her mom’s sanctuary, her lifeline.The place where she lost herself and found herself again.The thought of it, dark and still, made Anna’s heart ache.
At the checkout, she added a few extra treats for the kids: fruit roll-ups, kettle corn, and juice boxes.Georgia rang everything up with the usual small talk, but Anna barely heard a word.Her thoughts were already outside, already pulling her toward her mom’s shuttered studio.
“Your mom is going to be so excited about this.”Her dad had grinned as he rubbed his hands together.
