Page 43 of Always a Chance
“I want to come sit with you,” Gianna said.
Jamie looked to Johnny, who only shrugged, before pushing Gianna the short distance to his family. When she was gone, Talia ran a hand over the top of her head, her eyes fixed on the distance. “It’s so easy to forget sometimes.”
I knew what she meant. With Gianna’s long-term memory loss, she didn’t have many of the images in her mind we’d never be rid of. She hadn’t lost everything, but our graduation night was a complete blank for her.
Talia turned soft eyes on me. “Is she okay? Really? Is her life good?”
That question had so many answers, but most would be a matter of opinion, so I went with, “She’s happy. Probably the happiest person I know. She knows she has limitations, is very aware of her mental status, and yet, she’s vibrant.”
“Vibrant?”
“You know when you’re having a bad day and everywhere you go, everything you do just makes it worse? Like, you step outside and it’s raining, darkening an already bad mood.”
“I live in the city, Johnny. I’m well versed in both bad moods and rain.”
I smiled and bumped my shoulder against hers. “Well, Gianna is the opposite of all of that. When I’m struggling, I stop by to see her, and she somehow always manages to lift my spirits.”
“Sounds about right. Even as a kid, Gigi had that special power. I’m glad it hasn’t changed.”
Gulls scattered out of the way of Gianna’s chair as we watched her. I wanted to ask Talia about what she’d said earlier, about her fear of the water. After the accident, I’d needed nothing more than to get out there, to let the ocean heal me. The thought of it hurting her instead, that was something I couldn’t handle.
“I think I’m going to go for a walk up the beach. Probably just to the Beach Club and back.”
I let her go, sensing the need for a few moments to herself, but my gaze followed her, tracking her movements. I’d recognize that girl in a crowd of identical clones. She had a specific way of walking, almost like her hips hitched up with each step. It wasn’t graceful by any means, but it was so her I couldn’t help wanting to see it wherever I went.
I’d lost count of how many times over the years I traveled to New York City and never looked her up. Yet, I’d searched for her around every corner, telling myself if we ran into each other in a city full of so many people, that had to mean something.
We never did.
“Johnny,” Gianna called. “What are you doing? Come here.”
There was never any denying that girl. When I met up with her, she too was watching her sister. “I’m glad she came home.”
The first time I saw Talia back in Gulf City, I’d wanted her to leave. Our story was finished ten years ago, with an ending that had no happy in it.
Now, I had to admit I wanted her here, even if she’d leave again.
Putting a hand on Gianna’s shoulder, I tore my eyes away from Talia. “Me too.”
21
TALIA
“I can’t fathom how you believed her.” I laughed as I pushed open the front door and let Gianna in before me. “Didn’t it sound ridiculous to you?”
Johnny suppressed a grin. “I mean, yeah, but I also didn’t know what you were really up to.”
Gianna shrugged. “Saving the world in New York City.”
“But politics?” It was ridiculous.
Gianna hadn’t remembered that Johnny and I were close, but she told him an outlandish story of my desire to run for office in the city. She’d said I was going to change the world.
“Gigi.” I rolled my eyes. “I wrote one profile of a state senator.”
“Sounds like a desire to jump into the cesspool.” Johnny shrugged like it was perfectly plausible.
Gianna lifted her hand, and he slapped his against it. The moment we were in the door, Johnny picked up Gianna and lowered her into her powerchair like a well-practiced routine. It wasn’t until we all stopped laughing that we heard cursing coming from the kitchen. “Gigi, why don’t you put your beach gear in your room. I’ll see what’s up.”
