Page 21 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
As they approached the small gathering, Mr. Lyme stepped over and handed them each a candle. He pulled out a lighter stick and lit the wick on both. “You’re just in time. I’m about to read the letter Jo wrote to everyone.”
“Jo wrote a letter?” Liz asked, intrigued that she’d get to hear one or two more Jo-isms before saying their final goodbye.
“Oh, yeah. You know Jo always had to have the last word.” Mr. Lyme wiped at a tear on his cheek.
Liz reached for his arm. “I know you miss her. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Well, after tonight, every time I look up into the sky, I’ll think of her.”
Liz tried to keep her expression neutral. Jo was an unusual woman. She didn’t do things the conventional way, and Liz would expect nothing less than what Jo had prepared for her own celebration of life tonight. Jo wouldn’t want to be under the ground. She’d want to spend her eternity among the stars.
“Excuse me,” Mr. Lyme said. “I need to collect myself before I read the letter.”
“Of course.” Liz watched him walk away. Her gaze connected with Melody’s. Melody was surrounded by Tammy Flynn, Kiki Rogers, and Mr. Rodriguez, their old geometry teacher from middle school.
Matt leaned in and spoke in a soft whisper only for Liz’s ears. “C’mon. You know you feel sorry for her. I’m not sure how long she’s been stuck talking to them, but judging by her face, she could use a friend.”
Liz remembered Bri’s advice in her last message that she’d sent. Bri had always been the one with the attitude growing up. Quick to kick butt in her own words. But as she’d matured, she was the wise one. Whether Melody deserved her empathy or not, Melody did look a little overwhelmed, and Liz did feel sorry for her. Just a little. “Okay. Yeah. I’ll go say hi.”
“Great.” Matt turned to go in the opposite direction. “I need to find Christopher. We’re doing the honors of Jo’s send-off tonight.”
“Oh,” Liz said, catching his eye. “You are?”
“Yep. We’re taking Mr. Lyme’s boat. Three miles from the shore is the ordinance. Though, I think Jo would appreciate a little bit of rule-breaking for her send-off.”
Liz laughed. “Maybe go out two and three-quarter miles.
“My thoughts precisely.” His smile could have lit up the night.
Liz caught herself staring and then looked away. “Good luck with that. Thanks again for the ride.” She started walking toward Melody, forcing her steps until she was standing in the midst of the odd group. Tammy Flynn was a gossip. Kiki was nice enough, but Liz knew Kiki had never really liked Melody so her motivations for standing here were suspect. And Mr. Rodriguez couldn’t hear when they were in middle school. He’d yelled even back then because he refused to wear his hearing aids.
“Liz!” Mr. Rodriguez yelled, still not wearing his aides.
Liz flinched and then accepted the hug he offered. Tammy hugged her too. Then Kiki.
“It’s so good to see you,” Kiki said, warmly. Kiki did like Liz, so Liz knew it was sincere. To be fair, Kiki probably didn’t like Melody because Melody had professed her crush on Marcus Wilkes once. It was a middle school scandal considering Kiki was already going to the spring dance with Marcus. Even though it was years ago, decades even, some grudges held on tight, especially in a small town.
Pulling back from the hug with Kiki, Liz looked at Melody, the only one in the little group she was standing with that she hadn’t yet embraced. Not hugging would send a message that Tammy, the gossip, would undoubtedly relay all night. So Liz dutifully leaned in. Reading the cues, Melody opened her arms. The hug was awkward at best. Liz wanted to squeeze Melody tightly and then wring her neck. She also wanted to hold onto her friend and not let go for a solid five minutes.
Liz felt her eyes well up.Time to let go before actual tears start falling.As she pulled back, her sweater caught on something. She and Melody looked down at the same time, bumping foreheads.
“Ow. Sorry,” Melody said.
“Here! Let me take those candles!” Mr. Rodriquez yelled. “Before you two start a fire out here.” His laugh was just as loud as his voice.
Liz handed her candle to him, twisting her neck to look at what was caught.
“My charm bracelet is caught on your sweater.” Melody reached around and tried to free herself. “I think it wants you to wear it,” she teased, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “I can’t get it free without snagging your top.”
Liz twisted her neck again.
“Here.” Melody maneuvered her arm and pulled her wrist from the bracelet.
Liz looked down at Melody’s now bare wrist. “Where is it?”
“On your sweater.” Melody gestured with a tip of her head. “It was your turn anyway.”
Liz didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t taken the bracelet at the bakery when Melody had first offered it because it symbolized a friendship that she wasn’t willing to give another chance. But after Bri’s advice, Liz didn’t know how to feel anymore. “I’ll, uh, clip it free when I get home.”
