Page 2 of Stony Point Summer
“Andyou don’t have much time. What are you going to do?”
“I’m not sure yet. I’ve given it a lot of thought this week. But it just feels like … what’s even the point?”
“Don’t say that.” Maris turns on the stoop and brushes aside a strand of her aunt’s honey-streaked brown hair. “There’s got to be a way to get past this.”
“Maybe. Maybe there is. Which is why everything is still in place for the inn’s grand opening festivities tomorrow. The show will go on—the best it can. And you’ll be there, right?”
“I will,” Maris assures her. “But you really want to go through with it now? You must be devastated!”
“Maris. There’snoway I can cancel the event. It’s just not in me to let everyone down like that. Not again.”
“But, Aunt Elsa. They’d understand. Everyone here loves you—”
Elsa holds up a hand to stop her, and stands then. Stands and walks to the porch railing, where she looks out to Sea View Road. When she turns back to Maris, it’s with a determination in her composure. But still, there’s no hiding her sad eyes. “Yes, we’ll all gather at the inn, as planned. At the right moment there, I hope to tell everyone else the news.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Maris squints through the afternoon sunlight at her aunt. “You have so much on your plate now.”
“You’re right, I do. Which is why I want one beautiful night by the sea together. All of us. You and Jason, as you hopefully work through things. Kyle and Lauren, after their failed vow renewal ceremony. Not to mention everything that went down between the two brothers—Shane and Kyle. A celebratory evening would do usallgood.”
“As long as you’re sure.”
“I am.” Elsa leans against the porch railing. A few moments pass before she continues. “We’ll have a nice night, you’ll see. And it’ll help me face what’s to come, being together with everyone.”
“Okay.” Maris picks at a thread on her frayed denim shorts. “Okay,” she says again, quieter this time. “I’ll be there for you. Whatever you need.”
“Now remember, Maris. No one is to knowanythingI’ve told you yet. No one, not even Jason. Promise me?”
Sitting on the porch stoop, Maris closes her eyes and barely nods. “Wait!” She stands then, smoothes her white tee and walks closer to Elsa at the railing. “What about Celia? Have you at least told her?”
“No.”
“But,Elsa. Celia should know. Sheisyour assistant innkeeper.”
“It’s just that I don’t want her to lose any sleep. Aria’s been fussy lately, and Celia needs a good night’s rest—without this worry keeping her up. I’ll tell her in the morning. She’s coming by for breakfast.”
“Okay, good. And if you needanythingin the meantime, you let me know.”
“I will.” As she says the words, Elsa hugs Maris close.
“Love you, Aunt Elsa,” Maris whispers. Stepping back, she still holds Elsa at arm’s length. “We’regoingto get through this. Together. Wewill.”
“I hope so, dear.”
And Maris sees it. Sees what happens when you talk near the deep blue sea. Thoughts move like the tides. There’s some possibility ever on the horizon. Maybe her aunt senses that, but Maris can’t be sure.
“Anyway.” Elsa lifts her straw tote and loops it over her shoulder. “Cliff’s waiting. He’s making me dinner tonight at his place.”
“I’m glad. It’s good that you won’t be alone.” Maris takes Elsa’s hand in hers. “Come on, I’ll walk you to the street.”
As they descend the porch stairs and cross the front lawn, Maris sees a glimpse of Long Island Sound out behind her shingled house, beyond the bluff. She slows and points toward the water. The late-day sun drops sparkles on the rippling waves. “Look! I’m wishing on an ocean star for you, Aunt Elsa.That one,” Maris softly says. “That ocean star, right there.”
Elsa silently squeezes her hand. She briefly closes her eyes, too, as though making her own secret wish.
Afterward, Elsa lowers her sunglasses to her face and steps onto the sandy beach road. But Maris doesn’t go back in the house. Not yet. Instead, she stands there on the lawn and watches Elsa leave—knowing one thing for certain. Her aunt is strong. One of the strongest people here at Stony Point.
Ocean star wishes or not, somehow Elsa will do it.She has to. She just has to, Maris thinks. Yes, Elsa will find a way—her own beautiful, inimitable way—to pull through this.
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