Page 23 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
Liz shook her head. “It’s not for me to think anything of. I have no say. She’s not my family. Not legally.”
Melody’s cheeks were flushed the way they used to get in school when she got mad. Melody had never been one to anger easily, but when she did, the blood rushed to her skin. “No, Jo is my family. And I am not okay with this.” She pointed down to the boat that Matt and Christopher were navigating out in the water. Two and three-quarter miles. “I’m not okay.” Melody’s voice cracked. Her gaze flicked around as she seemed to realize she wasn’t whispering anymore. If possible, her skin bloomed an even darker shade.
“Melody, you need to—” Liz started to say, but Melody cut her off.
“Go. I need to go.” Turning, Melody started a brisk walk up the hill, away from the crowd, and away from Liz.
Liz debated chasing after her, just like she had the last time Melody had run. But tonight was about honoring Jo’s wishes. Jo wanted her loved ones to send her off with an incredible bang. So that’s what Liz would do.
Facing forward, Liz held her breath and her tears. Minutes later, a squeal penetrated the night, high-pitched and shrill, followed seconds later by the brightest, most vivid display of colors that Liz had ever seen lighting up the isle’s sky. It was a show worthy of Jo herself with all her thrifty flair.
Tears ran down Liz’s cheek as she watched until the last color fizzled out in the dark sky. Then Liz blew out her candle, silently celebrating Jo, who had been right. It did feel like goodbye. But tonight also felt like the cuff of something new.
A hand tapped Liz’s back. She whirled and faced Rose.
“Did you know you have a bracelet stuck to your sweater?” Rose folded her arms at her chest. Her eyebrow piercing glinted in the moonlight.
Liz wiped at her cheek. “Yeah, I know. Where were you?”
“I forgot about this thing, okay?”
“I texted and called.” Liz tried to remain calm. Dr. Mayer used to say that when she felt herself getting upset, she should focus on a small part of her body, like her toes. Liz curled them into the bottom of her shoes as she waited for Rose to explain.
“My cell phone was dead. Sorry.” She didn’t sound apologetic. Her tone sounded more annoyed than anything. “I’m glad you made it. Did you ride your bike?”
“Matt gave me a ride.”
“Great.” Rose took a step backward. “So he can give you a lift back home too?”
Liz knew that Rose hadn’t had much of a relationship with Jo. Not like Liz. Even so, wouldn’t Rose want to be here in support of Liz? Liz had loved Jo like family. Liz reached for Rose’s arm before she took another step to leave. “Where are you going?”
“I have a social life, you know,” Rose said.
“Not tonight you don’t. Tonight, you’re taking me home,” Liz practically growled, suddenly exhausted and on the verge of tears. She softened her tone. “Please.”
After a moment, Rose’s pinched expression seemed to relax. “Fine.” She shrugged. “I guess I don’t really feel like hanging out with Devin tonight anyway. Maybe we can watch something on Netflix.”
Liz blinked.We?“Yeah, I’m sure we could agree on something to watch.”
“Doubtful. But when I spoke to Mom on the phone earlier, she said I had to be sensitive to your needs. Because of Jo and all. So . . .” Rose shrugged.
“Making me catch a ride to the celebration of life is being sensitive to my needs?” Liz asked.
“Look, as soon as I remembered what tonight was, I sped home and then raced here to find you. I’m sorry, okay?” Rose shrugged. “Truly.”
Liz nodded, remembering the words of Jo’s letter. Something about forgiveness and walking in another’s shoes. She looked down at Rose’s combat boots and back up at her sister, who had maybe needed more of her parents’ attention than she’d gotten growing up. Their parents had been worried about Liz for a long time after the accident. Rose had probably gotten shorted the attention she was due. Liz probably hadn’t been the best sister either. “Okay,” Liz said, relaxing her curled toes. “Let’s get out of here. I’m ready to go home.”
To: Liz Dawson
From: Bri Johnson
Subject: Remembering Jo
Liz,
I don’t need to be there tonight. I’ll lie on my cot and think of her along with everyone else. I don’t even know where to start. There’s one memory I never shared with you, or anyone for that matter. But since we’re celebrating our “Aunt” Jo, I went dumpster diving with her once.
It was dirty and smelly, but, oh wow, we had the best time. At the time, I was high on pain meds, but Jo was just Jo. I think we got some day-old bread that hadn’t even been opened. We brought it back to her place and ate it with apple butter. We also found an old radio and a small cherub statue pouring a vase of water. Weird and random, I know, but it’s my favorite memory of her so how can I not think on it tonight?
