Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
M aggie never got around to calling her children the night before as originally planned. Instead, she decided to wait until the next day, when she’d had some time in the early morning to do some journal writing and spend time meditating.
It was a practice she’d adopted two years ago, when she needed to escape the chaos around her. She remembered hearing that one takes their troubles with them wherever they go, and she’d found that to be true in her move to Captiva Island.
Island life was exactly the environment she craved, and with a bit of stress, doubt and moving anxiety, she designed the life she’d always dreamed of. However, she admitted to no one but herself that the transition was harder than she’d expected.
First, there was the guilt associated with leaving some of her children and grandchildren. She worried what others might think of her. It was with the support of her family that she found the courage to do what she needed for herself.
In addition to the guilt was grief. It took time to accept Daniel’s death. It wasn’t just that he died, but it was the way he died.
Asking for a divorce only two days before his death was more than she could deal with at the time. He was in love with someone else and died in that woman’s arms.
No matter their issues, Maggie never got resolution and closure the way many do in divorce. She regretted that their last words were in anger. She was certain thatmemory would stay with her for the rest of her life.
However, along the way, her journey took her to a place of forgiveness and willingness to forget. The latter was harder than forgiving Daniel, but in time, that too subsided.
Now, sitting in the quiet of her office, she glanced over the words she’d written in her journal and smiled at how content she was. More than anything, she attributed a large part of her happiness to keeping this small space and few moments to herself.
Maggie had found a peaceful rhythm to her days, and let the chaos happen around her without too much disturbance to her world. She did her best, and that was enough.
She looked at her cellphone and called her son Michael. When he didn’t answer, she left a message for him to call her back.
Next, she decided to call Beth. When she dialed her number, it rang only once before her daughter answered.
“Hey Mom, I’m glad you called. How is Paolo doing?”
“He’s coming along. It’s slow, but he’s a strong man, and a stubborn one. How is everything at your house?”
“Busy as ever. Linda and I have been doing a lot of research and educating ourselves on running an apple orchard. It will be great when Gabriel’s father moves back here to help us.”
“Thomas is coming back east?” Maggie asked.
“It looks that way. He’s going to be here for Christmas. It will be great to have him here for the holiday, not just for us, but for him too. Gabriel always worries his father is alone too much.”
“I thought he played golf and has a few friends he gets together with every week.”
“He does, although it’s not every week. It’s not the same as having his wife by his side. Even when Victoria was in the Alzheimer’s unit, at least Thomas could see her every day. Now, he tries to fill his days as best you can, but it’s not the same.”
“I’m so happy to hear that he’s moving back. I imagine it’s hard for him not to be near the cemetery, but he still has so many family members who love him. I think it will help him to be near you all.”
“We think so too. By the way, I stopped in to see Emily the other day. She’s going home from the hospital today.”
“Oh, Beth, that’s fantastic. How is she doing?”
“Really well. She’s still pouting over the fact that her mother won’t let her go to Captiva for Christmas, but otherwise she’s doing great…extremely happy, as you can imagine.”
“That’s what you’d expect from her. She wasn’t a teenager that long ago. She’s still young. Thank heaven her body didn’t reject Paolo’s kidney.”
“I don’t even want to think about that. So, what’s going on with everyone on Captiva Island? How’s Chelsea?”
Maggie laughed. “You know Chelsea. The glass is always half full with that woman. I always believed she’d find love again. She’s finally found someone who makes her happy. It’s been so long since Carl passed, and although she’d never admit to being lonely, I know she has her moments. Steven is a nice guy and he adores Chelsea.”
“Do you think they’ll get married?” Beth asked.
“I’ve been wondering about that. I can’t ask her, and even if I did, she’d probably brush off any talk of a wedding. You have to see them together to understand how real their love is. I wouldn’t be surprised if Steven proposes.”
“That’s so exciting. I’m really happy for her.”
“Me too. Listen, I know there’s a good chance none of you are coming to Florida for Thanksgiving this year, but I thought I should check just in case. You know how hard it is for me during the holidays to be so far away from you guys, but I understand you all have families of your own now.”
“I know Mom, we miss you so much. The good news is that we’re all working on getting down there for Christmas. Having the double wedding at your place was the last time the whole family was together for Christmas. I think we’re going to make it happen, even Lauren and Jeff and Chris and Becca.”
“Speaking of Becca, how is she doing?”
Beth chuckled. “Not great. Chris says she throws up every day, and it isn’t just morning sickness. You can imagine how awful that is considering she’s still doing rotations at the hospital. I don’t mean to laugh about it. I know it can’t be easy. I can picture Becca running into the bathroom all day long. It’s bad enough that she gets little time to sleep or eat a decent meal as a medical student. But she’s focused on making herself a priority.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Maggie said. “She has to think about her health and the health of her baby before anything else. I know medical school is difficult, and I also know she didn’t want to take another leave of absence.”
“You’ve got that right. Considering she did that once before, and it set her back a few years, she told me that if she did it again, she might not finish medical school at all.”
“Let’s pray that doesn’t happen,” Maggie added. “I called Michael and left a message. I’m going to call Chris and your sister Lauren later, just to wish them Happy Thanksgiving. I expect Sarah and her family will be with us, and your grandmother too.”
“I hope Becca feels better by then.”
“She’ll be past her first trimester by that time. I’m sure she’ll feel better then. In the meantime, honey, please tell Gabriel and his family we said Happy Thanksgiving and we’ll talk soon about Christmas.”
“I will, Mom, and you have a happy Thanksgiving as well. Tell Paolo we hope he feels better soon. I’m going to call Sarah before the holiday to catch up with her and Trevor. We love you, Mom.”
“Love you, too, honey. I’ll call you next week. Oh, and if I were you, I’d call your grandmother to wish her Happy Thanksgiving. You know how she can be when she doesn’t hear from her grandchildren.”
Beth laughed. “I do, indeed.”
Sarah called her mother as soon as Trevor told her about their dinner with Donovan and Mila Hart.
“I hate to ask you so last minute, but…”
“Stop. I told you I’d watch the kids if you and Trevor wanted to go out. What time do you need me to come over?”
“It looks like we’re eating at six. Trevor made reservations at The Thistle Inn, so it’s not a far drive. He wants Donovan and his wife to see a Sanibel sunset. I’ll feed the kids dinner before you get here, and Little Maggie will have a bath.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be over in time so you’re not rushing. These days, Paolo sits in front of the TV with Lexi on his lap. They won’t even notice I’m gone.”
“Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it.”
When her mother arrived at five-fifteen, Noah and Sophia hugged her and Sarah squeezed her mother so tight, Sarah was sure her mother could sense her anxiety. “Whoa, okay. I guess everyone is happy to see me,” Maggie said.
“Hello Maggie,” Trevor said as he came into the living room to greet her.
“Hey Trevor. I feel like I haven’t seen you in months.”
He shrugged, “It’s possible. Work has consumed me every minute these days.”
Sarah looked at her mother, giving her a knowing glance.
“Yes, well, work can do that, but so can taking care of your children,” Maggie added.
Surprised by her mother’s bold and out of the blue comment, Sarah stared at Maggie.
Trevor didn’t seem to understand the subtle teasing. “Uh, yeah, I guess.”
“So, the kids have been fed and for the next couple of hours will probably be wide awake. I expect Little Maggie will fall asleep by then, and Sophia will need to go to bed no later than eight-o’clock.”
“What about me?” Noah asked.
Sarah laughed. “You know what time you go to bed.”
“I thought I could stay up later with Grandma.”
Maggie looked at Sarah, “Just a little longer?”
“Fine. I can’t fight you both. How about nine o’clock? We’ll most likely be home by then anyway.”
“Yay!” Noah yelled.
Sarah grabbed her handbag and blew kisses to Sophia and Noah, and kissed Little Maggie, who was cradled in her grandmother’s arms.
“Bye, have a good time,” Maggie said, holding her thumb up for Sarah to see.
As Trevor and Sarah walked to their car, Sarah wondered what kind of evening was before her. Since Donovan Hart stopped into Trevor’s office the day before, Trevor’s demeanor had changed.
For months, he was difficult to be around. His brooding and combative behavior worried Sarah, and there were no signs that he was willing to talk to her about what was bothering him.
The last twenty-four hours, Trevor was amiable, talkative, and cheerful, something she could only attribute to his old friend.
Sarah looked forward to meeting the man who had such power over her husband. Whatever Donovan had that brought Trevor back to his usual happy self, she was grateful, and hoped to glean some of his magic at dinner.