Page 87 of The Beach Shack Artists 3
“Can I tell you something?” Meg said.
“Always.”
“When Anna and Bea first arrived, I was so focused on preventing chaos that I almost missed the actual story.”
“Which was?”
“Stella finding her voice. Anna learning to respect boundaries. Tyler figuring out how to be present instead of neutral. Even Margo rediscovering her artistic self.” Meg shook her head. “I was so busy trying to manage everyone’s journey that I almost forgot I was on one too.”
“What kind of journey?”
“Learning that I don’t have to be responsible for everyone else’s happiness. That love doesn’t require managing other people’s lives.” She paused. “That some of the best things happen when you stop trying to control everything and just let people be who they are.”
“Those are big lessons.”
“Huge lessons. And I probably wouldn’t have learned them if you hadn’t kept reminding me that I had choices.”
Luke reached over and took her hand. “You would have figured it out. You’re smart like that.”
“Maybe. But it would have taken longer. And been less fun.”
“Less fun?”
“You make everything more fun. Even family chaos feels manageable when you’re around to help. Even business decisions feel less scary when I know you’ll support whatever I choose.”
“Even if you choose something completely impractical and artistic?”
Meg laughed, gesturing at the mural. “Especially if I choose something completely impractical and artistic. I’ve spent my whole adult life being practical. Maybe it’s time to try something else.”
“Such as?”
“I don’t know yet. But I’m excited to find out.” She squeezed his hand. “We’re excited to find out.”
Meg was quiet for a while.
“Luke?”
“Mmm?”
“Thank you. For this summer, for showing up, for helping me figure out that I don’t have to fix everything.”
“Thank you for letting me be part of it. For trusting me with your family’s chaos and your own uncertainties.”
“Thank you for making it feel like an adventure instead of a crisis.”
“Thank you for choosing to build something new instead of just managing what already existed.”
Meg turned to face him fully. “Are we going to keep thanking each other all night?”
“Probably. I have a lot to be grateful for.”
“Such as?”
“Such as the way you laugh when Anna describes vegetables as having ‘emotional resonance.’ Such as watching you discover that Stella doesn’t need managing, just encouragement. Such as the way you’ve stopped apologizing for taking up space and started claiming it instead.”
“That’s very specific gratitude.”
“I pay attention.”
