Page 98 of The Summer We Mended
“And the clayinthe studio this time?”Anna raised a brow.
“I make no promises,” Lily said, then turned to shoo the kids down the steps.“Let’s go!Clay waits for no one!”
It was an eventful walk to the studio, as the kids oohed and ahhed over just about everything.They’d been doing this walk for some time now, and the kids had developed a routine.They waved to passing cars, people on bikes, or those also walking the sidewalks.They knew some of the dogs by name and, with permission, brought treats in their bags for those dogs.They loved taking this walk just as much as Lily did.
When they arrived at the boathouse, Lily unlocked the door and they walked inside.The studio still smelled faintly of kiln heat and dried lavender, a combination Lily had always loved.Her fingers itched to wedge clay, to shape something from nothing.
Blaze darted ahead, racing Nora to a wheel.
“I’m going to make a bowl for Mom!”he yelled.
“I’m making one for Max!”Nora said.“And maybe some other dogs, too.”
“Which ones?”
“All of them!”
Lily laughed as she put her things down and flicked on the lights.The space bloomed around her, sunlight pouring through tall windows, the tables half-dusted in clay, the drying shelves lined with mugs and wonky vases from the weekend’s kids’ class.
They’d only been there ten minutes, the twins already elbow deep in wet clay, when Jess’s car pulled into the driveway.She was already out of the car and making her way toward the businesses of Vineyard Haven before Lily could flag her down.
About two hours later, Lily noticed Jess on her way back.She was walking down the opposite side of the street, shoulders rounded against the wind, her arms full of folders and fliers.Her dark hair was pulled up in a messy bun, and she wore a tailored blazer that stood out in the laid-back attire of the rest of the island.
“Jess?”Lily stepped onto the sidewalk, waving.“Hey!”
Jess turned, blinking, and then smiled when she recognized her.She waved at her aunt and crossed the street.
“Hi!”she called.“Wow, hey.”
“Come inside,” Lily said.“You look like you could use a break.”
Jess hesitated, glanced down at the stack in her arms, then crossed the street.“I really shouldn’t.I’ve got a whole second round of pitches to make in Oak Bluffs.”
“Nonsense,” Lily said, already opening the door wider.“Come in.Say hi to the kids.We’re headed back to the house soon anyway.Join us for lunch?”
Jess looked like she might say no.But then Blaze appeared at the window, holding up something that looked more like a lump of chewed gum than a bowl and yelling, “Grandma, look what I made!”
Jess’s expression cracked into something more genuine.“You know what?”she said, sighing.“Okay.Yeah.I’ll come.”
The walk back to the house was easy.Jess held one of Nora’s clay-covered hands in hers, not caring about the mess, and Nora launched into a detailed description of her dream to build a pottery-themed playground.
“You could have swings made of bowls!”she declared.“And a climbing wall shaped like a teacup!”
Jess chuckled, tired but entertained.“Honestly, I’ve heard worse pitches today.”
When they reached the house, Anna was curled on the porch swing, still mid-call.She waved, mouthing athank youto Lily before ducking back inside.
The kitchen came alive quickly.Lily tied on her old apron, and Blaze and Nora were dispatched to wash their hands.Jess leaned against the counter, her blazer tossed over a chair.She had the faint look of someone freshly unplugged, her shoulders slowly dropping, breath deepening.
“So, what brings you to Vineyard Haven today?”Lily asked, chopping tomatoes as Jess arranged slices of turkey on sourdough.
“Marketing,” Jess said.“Or trying to, anyway.I printed these fliers offering small business consulting and social media services, just an hour here or there to help people get set up or grow.I figured I’d try walking into shops, talking to owners.”
“That’s brave,” Anna said, now off her call and slicing cucumbers beside Lily.“How’s it going?”
Jess exhaled.“Not great.I’ve had a whole lot of polite no’s and one guy who asked me if I could teach his nephew to TikTok dance.”
Anna winced sympathetically.“Yikes.”
