Page 93 of The Summer We Mended
“Anytime,” she replied, voice soft.
The door clicked shut behind them as they stepped into the familiar scent of home.
“What did you need?”
“Some more bags.I’d bought more clay and didn’t take it to the studio so I’m grabbing that, too.I also just wanted more coffee.”
“There’s a coffee shop right by you,” Anna laughed.
“I know, but I wasn’t sure if you’d be here or not and wanted to see how you’re walk went.Are you coming back to the studio with me?”Lily asked.
“I wouldn’t miss it.”Anna smiled back at her mother.
“Oh, good, I didn’t want you to stay behind by yourself.I know you need your alone time, but I don’t want you to fall into the same trap I was in.”
Anna reached out and squeezed her mom’s hand.“I know, Mom.I won’t.I’ll go back with you now.That was nice of you to invite June, too.”
“She seems like a good girl who’s a little lost.I know that feeling all too well.Tom has been so helpful, lending a hand with the yard work and repairs, it only seemed right.”
“I think we all know that feeling too well—everyone in the world has felt a little lost at some point.”
“You’re probably right.I think her and Jess could become good friends, too.”
“Well, I might have noticed Cody looking at her a little longer than necessary,” Anna said with a soft laugh.“Which is nice, I’ve been worried about him lately.Breaking up with Nessa was such a surprise.”
“I agree, I really thought they’d be married by now.I guess the fact that he never proposed meant that she wasn’t the one, even though we wanted her to be.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right.”
Anna grabbed her cell phone and purse off the counter and then followed her mother back outside.As they drove the short way back to the studio, Anna thought more about her brother and how he ended things with Nessa.Maybe she should check in with her brother, and maybe the two of them could have a good, open, honest talk.It would be nice to take her mind off Luke.
ChapterThirty-Six
Lily
Lily was so happy that Anna was coming back to the studio with her.She knew that her daughter needed to be out and about in the world right now, so she didn’t fall into the darkness like Lily had with her grief.
Although, Lily knew that her daughter was incredibly strong and resilient.She could probably handle all of this on her own, but she was glad that she didn’t have to.
When the two of them arrived at the studio and walked inside, the air smelled faintly of clay and lavender cleaner, and sunlight filtered through the high windows, making the specks of dust in the air shimmer like fairy dust.The studio buzzed with soft chatter, bursts of laughter, and the low hum of the pottery wheels.Lily had forgotten this was once her favorite place in the world, her hands coated in slip, her heart full, but it was quickly coming back to her.
Twelve small hands were hard at work shaping clay on six kid-sized pottery wheels.It was week three of her children’s pottery class, and already her students were finding their rhythm, some faster than others, of course.A few had more clay in their hair than on their pieces, but Lily didn’t mind.That was half the fun.
“Remember to keep your hands steady, Maisie,” she said gently, crouching beside the tiny redhead who was scrunching her face in deep concentration.
Maisie’s bowl had taken on a distinct tilt to one side, but her eyes were bright, hopeful.
“Like this?”Maisie asked, turning to Lily.
Lily opened her mouth to guide her, but before she could, a soft voice beat her to it.
“Here, Maisie,” Nora said kindly, kneeling down beside them, “Try resting your elbows on your thighs, it’ll help you keep still.”
Lily smiled, stepping back just slightly to give them space.Nora had a natural gentleness that amazed Lily; she’d also seemed to have the same knack for pottery that Lily did, and that felt nice.It filled Lily with pride.Nora was quiet, observant, and patient in a way that made even the shyest child gravitate toward her.Maisie immediately adjusted her posture and giggled as her lopsided bowl began to right itself.
“It’s working!”She beamed.
“See?”Nora smiled.“You’re a natural.”
