Memories in Sea Glass: Driftwood Key Beach Reads #2

26. Glory

Glory sank her toes into the wet sand, with the ocean rippling behind her and her family spread across the beach in front of her.

She was so happy for Liberty and Chase.

But now that the excitement had settled a little, and the two of them were chatting with Mom and her friends, a deeper emotion ripped at Glory’s chest, making her feel almost like she was drowning.

Liberty and Chase were going to leave again. They would be back in Pennsylvania soon, and Glory wouldn’t have her big sister to talk to every day. It was a selfish thought, and she knew it, but that didn’t help her to not feel it.

She’d told Mom that she would love Driftwood Key just as much in the off season, when she was taking a boat to a tiny local school and didn’t have the energy of the resort to sustain her every day. But the idea of not having Liberty around made her feel lonely, even though it hadn’t happened yet.

She looked up and saw Anthem walking slowly along the beach, her expression serious.

She’s feeling it too,Glory realized, feeling relieved and sad all at once. I need to talk to her.

“Anthem,” she called out, jogging toward her sister before she could change her mind.

Anthem froze, the hopeful look on her face breaking Glory’s heart.

Suddenly, Glory found herself fighting back tears.

“I’m sorry,” she panted as she reached her sister. “I’m so sorry I shut you out.”

Anthem simply threw open her arms and Glory ran into them, squeezing her tight.

“I’m sorry I hurt you,” Anthem said softly, stroking Glory’s hair while she cried. “Dad was awful to do what he did. I shouldn’t have been talking to him. You were right.”

“He was still our dad,” Glory said, wiping her eyes. “And anyway, you’ve always been nicer than me. Usually, I’m the one to benefit from that. But then I got really mad at you for being nice to him when you’re always nice to everyone, including me. It wasn’t fair and I’m sorry.”

“I don’t know about that,” Anthem laughed. “I’m not so nice all the time.”

“No, it’s true,” Glory said, pulling back. “Don’t be modest. You’re the most patient, caring person in the family. And I want to be more like you. I want to be more forgiving.”

“Maybe I’m just too weak to say no,” Anthem said softly.

“That’s not it at all,” Glory told her, holding onto her shoulders. “You’re brave—brave enough to listen to others and let yourself be vulnerable. I just… get mad.”

“I think I’m just as angry and confused as everyone else,” Anthem said after a moment, frowning like she was searching for the right words. “I guess I’m a little better at hiding it.”

“You’re a performer,” Glory said, shrugging. “You’re used to controlling your emotions.”

“I’m an introvert,” Anthem said with a wry smile. “But I’m glad you let me know how you really feel.”

“Well, how I really feel is like a jealous jerk,” Glory said. “Honestly, I was partly mad because he chose to talk to you and not to me. And that’s not your fault.”

Anthem nodded and bit her lip.

“But I do miss him,” Glory admitted. “Even though I’m still mad at him.”

“I know,” Anthem said, slinging an arm around Glory’s shoulders. “I miss him too.”

“I feel so sad sometimes,” Glory said, fighting back tears again. “More than I feel mad lately.”

“Aren’t you glad we all spoke to him?” Anthem asked. “Before it was too late?”

“Yeah,” Glory said, nodding. “Mom talked to me and made me see that I needed to do that. At the time, I only did it to please her. But I would never have forgiven myself now if I hadn’t. I guess she was right.”

They both looked out over the ocean, and Glory raised her eyes to the wide-open sky. The beach made her feel small, like her problems were a little less important than she’d thought. Or maybe it was just that she was making things right with her sister.

“Hey,” Anthem said after a moment. “I have to admit something. It might make you respect me less.”

“I doubt it,” Glory said. “But tell me, if it makes you feel better.”

“I only took his call at first because he started off by offering to cover my last tuition payment, and I was worried about it,” Anthem said. “You were kind of right about that.”

“That’s fair,” Glory said. “I would have been worried too. You were almost done with college.”

“Yeah, and I could tell Mom was worried about it,” Anthem said. “I don’t think she had the money.”

“I know,” Glory admitted. “She kept saying she was going to figure it out. That’s how I knew she was afraid she wouldn’t. But I’m glad you were talking to him. You got to finish school. And… we all got to say goodbye.”

“I love you, baby sister,” Anthem said, pulling her close. “You’re growing up awfully fast, but the woman you’re becoming is someone really special.”

“I’m just trying to follow in the footsteps of a few very special women,” Glory told her, leaning on her sister’s shoulder.

Her world might still be in flux, but she wasn’t drowning anymore. As long as she had her family, someone would always be there to keep her head above water.