Page 34 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
“I’m just proud of you, that’s all,” Liz said. “And Jo would be too. Hidden Treasures is special and important to the people in town. Whoever takes it overshouldkeep it intact. I’m glad you made that decision.” Liz nibbled more on her muffin bite and washed it down with coffee. “Well, if you need a photographer to take pictures of the store,” she pointed at her own chest, “I’m your woman.”
“Noted.” It was too bad Liz didn’t live closer to Memory Lane Events. There was always a need for a photographer, and Melody would be able to network with Liz.
“Speaking of friends,” Liz said, “I’m going to see Bri on Friday. My mom has someone who works days at the bakery when I’m not able to. I contacted her because Rose is in school during the week.”
Melody had a feeling she knew where this was heading and she wanted to get up out of this seat and bolt. Liz was the forgiving type. She could never stay mad at anyone for long. But Bri was the type who held a grudge. Her attitude in high school had been legendary, and no one had wanted to land on her bad side. Least of all Melody who avoided conflict when at all possible.
Liz reached for Melody’s hand. “Come with me. Or actually”—she chewed her bottom lip for a moment—“maybe you could take me. I hate public transportation.”
“You should start driving again then,” Melody said, avoiding the question and diverting the pressure just a little bit while she thought of a good excuse to turn Liz down.
Liz pointed at the charm bracelet on Melody’s wrist. The metal charms were shiny under the shop’s lighting. “You made a promise along with the rest of us. Friends forever. I know you’re the one who lost your sister but Alyssa would have wanted you to keep that promise. She wouldn’t have wanted you to disappear.”
“I know,” Melody said quietly. Alyssa would have been adamant that they all remained close, regardless of any circumstances. “I wish I could go back and do things differently.”
“You can’t change the past. You can change what you do right now though. You’re not heading out until Sunday, right?”
Melody nodded. “That’s the plan.”
“Great. So, go with me to the prison.”
Melody looked from Liz to the bracelet, knowing that her friend was right. Liz and Bri had remained close despite the distance between them. Melody was the one who’d messed up the whole pact.
She wanted to say no. She wanted to find any excuse to avoid this situation. But another part of her wanted to see Bri. She missed her old friend. Being home had made her realize just how much. “Okay. I guess my answer is yes.”
Liz looked pleased. “Bri is going to be so thrilled. I can’t wait to tell her.”
“You talk to her?” Melody asked. “By phone?”
“Not by phone. We send e-messages most days. The prison has some special network that inmates, friends, and family can use. It’s a lot like email. Sometimes I think we’re closer now than we ever were. Distance doesn’t have to be a wedge.” Liz gave Melody a meaningful look that Melody thought she understood. When she left on Sunday, it didn’t have to be goodbye. And Melody didn’t intend for it to be this time. She was glad to have reconnected with Liz. It felt good.
Melody reached for the bracelet on her wrist and slipped it off, dangling it between them. “It’s your turn.”
Liz’s gaze dropped. “You can keep it longer if you want.”
Melody shook her head. “It’s kind of fun passing it back and forth, and it means we get to see each other more often.”
“I agree.” Liz held out her arm and allowed Melody to slip it over her fingers to rest on her tiny wrist. She looked at the bracelet for a moment.
Melody leaned in to look at it more closely as well. “Have you noticed that some of the charms have a sparkly finish to them?”
Liz nodded quickly. “I have. They catch the light at different angles.”
“Have you thought that maybe some charms didn’t shimmer at first and then they did?” Melody asked, feeling a little foolish for even thinking that was possible.
Liz’s confused expression told her she hadn’t noticed any such thing. Maybe that was just Jo’s influence edging in on Melody. And Alyssa’s. The longer Melody was here, the more she was reminded of her great-aunt and her sister, and how everything was magical to both of them. Nothing was ordinary. “Never mind,” Melody said with a slight head shake.
Liz pushed back from the table. “I need to get back to the kitchen. The bites in the oven will be done in about a minute, and if they’re left too long, they burn. Making bites is an art form. It’s my mom’s art, but I’ll have to make another batch if they’re not the perfect blend of soft and firm.” She stood. “Don’t worry about Bri. She’ll be thrilled to see you. She hasn’t changed all that much from the friend you remember.”
“Good to hear,” Melody said, even though that’sexactlywhat she was worried about.
* * *
When Melody had gotten home, instead of retreating to her room down the hall like she’d been doing since arriving in Trove Isle, she walked into the kitchen and got busy cooking a small feast.
In part, it was to distract her mind from the knowledge that she’d agreed to drive up to the women’s state prison this Friday to see Bri. The elaborate meal was also an attempt at connecting with her father. She’d avoided meaningful conversation long enough. Jo’s letter had been playing through her mind since Friday night. Melody could almost hear the words in Jo’s lilting voice.
Don’t be too stubborn to forgive. But never forget because forgetting can turn you into a fool. True forgiving though, that lifts you to a level that few achieve. Accept each other and love while you can. Because life is fleeting, and sometimes the things that are lost can’t be found again.
