Page 84 of The Lady on Esplanade
“I guess.But I might need to stay here longer to make sure everyone who’s been searching for the light finds it.”
“Good try, but no.You’ve got school on Monday.Besides, Melanie has probably already bought matching Christmas outfits for you, JJ, and the dogs, and I know you don’t want to disappoint her.”
She didn’t smile.“I just want to accomplish one special thing this year, you know?And we’re almost in December.”
I stared at my funny, smart, and beautiful sister and it was like my words were coming out of her mouth.Every painful memory of what it was like to be caught between childhood and adulthood hit me like a blow to the solar plexus.“Put those down, and then I want you to sit and listen carefully.I’ll be blunt because my ankle’s hurting and I’m feeling crabby.”She’d been juggling the wedding rings—as if that in itself weren’t a skill to be proud of—but immediately stopped and returned them to the plastic bag on the coffee table.
“Sarah, you have many talents.One of your most stellar ones happens to be communicating with the dead.Sure, you won’t get a school trophy or certificate for it, and you might actually hate itsometimes, but I know without a doubt that one day you will be grateful for it.At some point you might even get a little proud and smug that you can do what so few people can.You have the ability to change lives.Not many people can say that.And if any of your classmates make fun of you or try to make you feel like less than the wonderful person you are, it’s because they’re jealous.Hitting a home run in softball is nothing compared to what you can do.”
“So then why can’t I—”
“Because you’re not yet even thirteen.And also because I’m not your mother.Can we leave it at that, please?”
“Whatever.”Her phone beeped, and she groaned when she read the screen.“It’s JJ.He thinks he’s going to win in his age bracket.”She threw herself back on the sofa in a dramatic sprawl.“At least I don’t have to respond.I texted Melanie saying that Mississippi has bad cell reception and not to expect to hear from me until Saturday.”
“The whole state?”
“Nobody’s questioned it, and that means we’re good, right?Mom, Dad, and JJ won’t think it weird if we’re not replying to their messages.”
“Good plan.”
She studied me with a contemplative expression.“You know how Dad says it’s always better to rip off the Band-Aid and get it over with?”
“Yes,” I drew out slowly.“But waiting a few more days won’t change a thing except that I will have had a few more days of rest and recovery.So let’s enjoy this time together now and let me figure out the rest later.”
“You sound just like Mom.”She didn’t make it sound like a compliment.
“I think Mardi needs to go out.It’s starting to rain, so please put on his raincoat, which is hanging with his leash on the peg by the downstairs door.Jolene’sWizard of Ozumbrella is in the stand beneath it in case you need it.”
She pried the sleeping dog off the sofa and began carrying him toward the door.“I don’t think Beau’s the only one who needs an intervention.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
She put Mardi on the floor and I listened as they walked down the steps, Sarah loudly singing the lyrics to “Lips Are Movin.”It was my favorite Meghan Trainor song, even if it was about lying.
I settled back into the sofa and checked my phone for the time.My ankle was throbbing, and I’d already missed two doses of my pain pills.I’d been waiting to take one dose before bedtime so that I could sleep, despite Camille’s warning.I extended my hand for the bottle on the tray table but only managed to knock it over.The cap fell off and several pills rolled out, but all of them settled just outside of my reach.
After several failed attempts to grab one, I leaned back against the pillows to wait until Sarah returned.
CHAPTER 26
Sarah and I were debating whether to stick one of Jolene’s casseroles in the oven or order pizza when the doorbell rang.I opened my Ring app with more anticipation than I should have felt, but instead of Beau I spotted Felicity on the doorstep.
“I’ll get it,” Sarah said, already heading down the steps.Mardi surprised me by staying at my side, his ears and posture indicating his full alertness.
“It’s okay, Fluffer-butt,” I soothed, stroking one of his silky ears.“It’s just Aunt Felicity.You’re friends, remember?She gives you treats.”
We listened as footsteps climbed the stairs, both of us looking through the open door toward the landing.Mardi’s tail thumped against me when he spotted Felicity but slowed when he spotted the man behind her.
“Henry,” I said, not bothering to hide my surprise.“I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Or me, either, I’m guessing,” said Felicity.Sarah followed them in, giving me a discreet shrug before closing the door.“I basicallygrew up in New York City, so I don’t know how to drive.I was going to take an Uber, but Henry insisted on bringing me.”
Henry stopped in front of me, reeking of cigarette smoke.“Yeah, it was getting pretty crowded at Mimi’s with all the people from the funeral,” he said as he helped himself to the bowl of popcorn Sarah and I had been sharing.
“I guess I should have called,” Felicity said, “but it was sort of last-minute.Beau didn’t want to leave Mimi, but he wanted someone to physically check in on you to see if you were all right and if you needed anything.”
“Beau said that?”
