Page 52 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
“My Great-aunt Jo used to tell me that all the used toys were from the Isle of Lost Toys, waiting to be adopted and taken to a new home. And that being a toy’s second owner was even more important than being their first owner because they were lost. She said that helping a toy feel found and loved again was a very important job.”
The little girl with braided pigtails nodded as she clutched the bear in her arms more tightly.
“You’re up for the task?” Melody asked with all seriousness.
“I am,” the little girl said solemnly.
“Well, then that toy belongs to you.” Melody looked at the mother. “No charge. Just take very good care of that bear.”
“You are just like Jo,” the mother said, with evident respect in her tone. “That’s something she would have done. Are you following in her footsteps and keeping the store open?”
Melody seemed to hedge. “Through the summer, at least.” She looked at the little girl. “So, every time you stop in this summer, you can take one of these lost toys home, okay?”
The girl revealed several missing teeth as she grinned widely. “Thank you, Ms. Melody!”
“You’re welcome.”
Liz waited for the mother and child to walk away before speaking. “You’re staying through the summer?” Liz felt like ever since Melody had arrived, she’d been expecting her to leave at any moment. A day, a couple days, a week. Part of her feared that Melody might even leave without a goodbye the way she’d done the first time.
Melody turned to face her. “After going to the prison yesterday, I decided I want to be here when Bri gets out. That’s a huge deal. I don’t want to miss it.”
“You could come back for her release,” Liz said. “I kind of thought you couldn’t wait to ditch the isle again.”
“That was true. Now I kind of can’t wait to stay a little longer. My decision has a little bit to do with you too.”
“Me?” Liz asked.
“You can’t reverse time, but you can make up for lost time. I think that’s what I’m here to do with you. And my dad. Myself. Another month won’t kill me.”
“Wow. I’ve been thinking all morning that I barely recognize myself these days, but you’re changing too,” Liz said. “We must be good for each other.”
Melody smiled. “And on that note, girls’ night part two is happening this evening. After work, I’m giving you a driving refresher course.”
Liz felt her heart thump beneath her blouse. “You are?”
“I am. And then we’re creating a website for your photography business while we drink more wine.”
“Dr. Pepper for me,” Liz said. “With salted peanuts in it.”
Melody’s expression twisted comically. “That’s disgusting.”
“Someone told me it was good for a hangover.” But Liz didn’t plan on drinking tonight. Apparently, instead, she was going to be driving. “I might need one of those brown paper bags after all,” she told Melody.
“For the bag sale?” Melody asked.
Liz felt her stomach clench and coil. “For the driving lesson.”
To: Bri Johnson
From: Liz Dawson
Subject: Three’s a Crowd
Bri,
Three is only a crowd when the third person is my little sister. Rose somehow invaded Melody’s and my girls’ night at my house. There was wine. It’s still a little foggy in my head, but I know that I used Melody’s phone to drunk-text Matt, which might be one of the most embarrassing things of my adult life. Of all the people to text under the influence, why him? Don’t answer that. Whatever you might or might not say would be misguided. I don’t think of Matt that way. Really.
The hangover was short, but the embarrassment might last a little longer. It’ll be okay, I guess. Just, note to self, next time I drink, hide my cell phone. And everyone else’s around me, just in case.
