14. Jess
Jess sat at the kitchen table, soaking in the sight of almost all of her girls in one place.
The whole kitchen was fragrant with the scent of lobster mac and cheese. She had laid the table with nice cloth napkins and lit some tea candles she’d found in a drawer. Sweet tea from the fresh pitcher she’d made that morning was poured out in pretty glass stemware for them to enjoy.
Normally, she would have offered Liberty a small glass of white wine, but she knew Libs and Chase had been trying for a baby.
Her heart ached at the idea that they were having problems, but she had no doubt they would work it out. She had never pegged Chase for a cheater, but he was an attractive man and the stress of struggling to conceive while they both worked long hours could get to anyone.
Normally she would have no mercy for a guy who let something happen outside his vows, but she loved Chase like her very own son, and hoped that either she was wrong about this, or that Liberty would go to counseling with him and find him worthy of giving it one more go.
What if she’s pregnant right now—finally expecting that much-longed-for baby and feels she has to leave him?
But it wasn’t Jess’s business until Liberty chose to share. And most likely if Liberty were already expecting, Jess would know it. The two of them talked all the time and she had been a sympathetic ear as the months marched on while Liberty and Chase hoped for a baby.
Jess honestly thought it was a little silly that Liberty was so worried. It would happen in due time, and it hadn’t been that long.
“Oh wow,” Glory moaned over a bite of the decadent supper.
“Mary McKinnon made this for nine people on a regular basis?” Liberty asked, taking another bite.
“Well, first off, there’s probably only two lobster tails in the whole thing,” Jess told them. “And also, no, not all the time. But we had it for an awful lot of birthdays and special occasions. It was my absolute favorite.”
“She loves you,” Glory said happily.
“I love her,” Jess said with a smile. “I can’t believe I let this much time pass.”
“Why did you?” Liberty asked.
“Well, I was a kid,” Jess said, worrying the condensation on the outside of her cup with her finger. “At first I was sure that I would keep in touch, but the more I thought about it, the more I started thinking that maybe she only had foster kids to help with the bills. I didn’t want to bother her.”
“Mom,” Glory said, sounding horrified.
“I know, I know,” Jess said. “Looking back, that was a silly thought. But I was a teenager and I’d kind of been through a lot. Then I was with Uncle Brian, and you know he kept me busy with fun stuff at the theater when I wasn’t in school. I didn’t have much time to moon over Mary McKinnon. By the time I was grown, it had been too long, really. And besides, I was busy with you.”
“Well, I’m glad you’ve got each other now,” Glory said. “Wait until you meet her, Libby.”
“I can’t wait,” Liberty said, smiling fondly at Glory.
They finished their meal in relative silence other than appreciative noises. Liberty headed to the sink to wash the dishes as soon as they were done, and Glory wiped the table without being asked.
“This is nice,” Jess said. “Do you two want to go for a walk on the beach and watch the sun go down?”
“Yes,” Liberty said. “That sounds nice.”
“I’m going to get changed,” Glory said, dashing upstairs.
They headed out the back door a few minutes later, making their way past the long, trailing railroad vines and into the sand that was smoothed by the tide. Jess slipped off her flip-flops and placed them on a nest of rocks.
“Is that a fire pit?” Glory asked with interest.
“Looks like that’s what they built it for,” Jess said, noticing the old ash at the bottom.
“Nice,” Glory said, heading for the water.
Jess sighed with delight as she let her toes sink into the cool, moist sand. The sky was just beginning to blush pink and the water was still a turquoise blue. Soon, the sky would be on fire and the water would melt into liquid gold.
“It’s so beautiful,” Liberty said quietly.
Jess turned to her oldest and put an arm around her shoulders as they walked.
“It makes me feel small,” Jess confided. “Like my troubles can be washed away so effortlessly.”
They watched Glory moving along the beach, dancing in and out of the water, her shoes in one hand, arms spread to the sky, golden hair practically glowing in the setting sun.
“She’s like a pixie or something,” Liberty said fondly.
“She always was, I think,” Jess agreed.
“Seems like she’s feeling better.”
“Getting away from her devices helped,” Jess said. “And so does the change of scenery and friendly new faces. And having you here definitely makes her happy.”
They walked on for a few more minutes, watching the water lap the shore.
“Who could ever bully her?” Liberty wondered out loud.
“She hasn’t told me anything yet,” Jess admitted. “And I don’t want to push her. Maybe she’ll open up to her big sister.”
Of course, Glory wasn’t the only one Jess was talking about. But she was sure her girls would talk to her when they were ready.
“I’ll try,” Liberty said. “We’re roommates, so who knows? She might decide to talk to me about it.”
“I hope you can stay a while,” Jess said carefully.
“I had a month of vacation days saved,” Liberty said quietly. “But they also offered to let me work remotely, doing tele-health. I never thought I’d want that, but now I’m grateful for it.”
“Well, you can stay as long as you’d like,” Jess told her right away.
“I’ll pay rent,” Liberty told her. “And I’ll help out with groceries and utilities and all. I’m not trying to freeload.”
“You’re my child,” Jess laughed. “It’s not freeloading. It’s a gift to have you with me. Though, of course, I hope you and Chase can work things out.”
“We can’t,” Liberty said simply.
But her voice was as dry and flat as cardboard.
Jess squeezed her closer.
“I’m here when you want to talk about it,” she said softly. “Day or night.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Liberty said, leaning her head against Jess’s.
Ahead of them, Glory kicked the water, sending droplets scattering, and laughed. The sun seemed to be sinking rapidly now, dragging fiery colors through the sky, down to the water. Glory began singing “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” as she continued along in the froth at the edge of the water.
“This isn’t where I thought I’d be this summer,” Jess said. “I know it’s not what you pictured either. But I think maybe it’s where we’re supposed to be.”
“Hey, let’s turn back,” Glory yelled. “I want to light a fire in that pit.”
“Sounds good,” Jess told her.
The breeze was cool coming off the water as they headed back in the direction of the house. Jess sucked in deep, delicious breaths of the salty air. Liberty left her side after a bit and joined Glory by the water. Soon, the two were both singing Cyndi Lauper and laughing.
If only Anthem were here, Jess thought to herself, missing the harmony of that third beloved voice.
When they reached the house again, the two ran ahead to grab matches and some kindling from the stack on the back porch. Jess looked up at the big house. They’d left on a light or two, which made the windows glow cozily. She had never really thought of her grandparents’ place as home, but now, after only a few days, it was starting to feel that way already.
It’s just for the summer,she reminded herself. Then I’m selling it.
“I wish we had marshmallows,” Glory yelled as she and Liberty passed Jess on their way back to the fire pit.
Jess smiled and headed inside, grabbing the bag of marshmallows she’d bought on impulse at the grocery store.
This little escape was just what the three of them needed.
As she was heading out the back door, she heard her phone buzz on the kitchen windowsill. Glory had given it back to her, and Jess had left it plugged in somewhere where she wouldn’t be tempted to check it. But she decided to have a quick look, just to make sure it wasn’t anything to do with her first day of work tomorrow, or Glory’s.
Anthem:
hey mom change of plans i need to come home for the summer are u rly in fl ???
“Oh my,” Jess said, blinking down at her phone screen in surprise.
Anthem was fiercely independent. She had worked teaching at a music camp during every single summer break from college.
When Jess said she was flying up for graduation, Anthem told her not to bother, she wasn’t sticking around for the ceremony herself because she was needed at the camp. And now she was coming home?
Jess re-read the message, noticing this time that Anthem was saying she needed to come home for the summer.
Yes, I’m in Florida with both of your sisters, and we’ll all be so happy to see you, honey! Want to give me a call with your schedule so I can grab you plane tickets?
Three little dots appeared and disappeared several times before another message appeared.
no need tomorrow anytime is fine whatever’s cheapest
Jess frowned, wondering why Anthem couldn’t spare a few minutes for a phone call.
But she was coming home, that was all that mattered.
Jess pulled up her flights app and scanned options. By some miracle, Silas’s princely balance of frequent flyer miles was still there.
She paused, confused.
Why hasn’t he used any of this?
Jess had always been a bit of a homebody, but Silas always liked the notion of traveling. She had assumed that when he left her, he would have done a little jet setting.
But the app made it look like he hadn’t taken a single flight.
It’s none of my business anymore, she reminded herself, not wanting to spare another moment wondering about Silas. Figuring out why he wasn’t traveling was nothing compared to figuring out why he had left.
And she was never going to have the answer to either question.
She focused on choosing a flight for Anthem, but paused for a moment before buying the ticket, trying to decide if it was right to use Silas’s miles.
She’s his daughter too,she told herself fiercely. If he showed any interest in us, he’d know he has to help her when she needs it.
She quickly booked Anthem a flight and forwarded her the info before heading outside. The warm breeze lifted her hair slightly as she headed back toward her girls. They had a nice little fire going already, the flames flickering and dancing against the dark blue of the night.
It was so nice to see them together. And soon Anthem would be here too. In spite of all that was upside down in her life, Jess felt good in this moment. It was almost like all her wishes were being granted in real time.
“Mom, you bought marshmallows?” Glory yelled happily.
“I sure did,” Jess laughed. “Guess who’s coming tomorrow?”
“Anthem,” Liberty teased. “She’s the only one missing.”
“Yes, actually,” Jess said, noticing the fact that Liberty didn’t consider her father missing from the family anymore.
“Not really,” Liberty said, the corners of her mouth lifting up in a stunned smile.
“Yes, really,” Jess told them. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but she just asked me to get her a plane ticket.”
“Steele sisters assemble,” Glory yelled, throwing her arms in the air.
“I can’t believe it,” Jess said, moving to sit by the girls. “You really will all be here with me.”
“She loves teaching at that camp,” Liberty worried out loud. “It’s not like her not to go.”
“You’re definitely my daughter,” Jess said. “So there’s probably no point in me saying this. But can you try not to worry? It won’t change anything.”
“Mom, wow, you already have the laid-back, beach-life philosophy,” Glory said, her brows arched.
“Well, it’s too hot to waste energy worrying, right?” Jess joked.
“Not now it isn’t,” Liberty said. “It feels great out here. Hey, give me one of those.”
Glory was already shoving a marshmallow onto a stick. She tossed her sister the bag.
“Oh, what the heck,” Jess said. “Me too.”
Glory handed her mom her stick with a marshmallow already on it and went looking for another for herself. Jess held her marshmallow just outside a circle of flame. Liberty was doing the same. They both liked to cook their confections slowly.
Sparks danced and flickered, and Jess inhaled the smoky scent of the fire and enjoyed the sound of the waves lapping the shore.
Glory appeared at her side a moment later and thrust her marshmallow directly into the flames.
“Glory,” Liberty said, rolling her eyes.
“I like them on fire,” Glory said, smiling before pulling her flaming marshmallow out.
Jess laughed and watched Glory blow out the fire before peeling off a sticky charred layer and shoving it in her mouth.
“Mmmmm,” Glory moaned. “So good.”
“No patience,” Liberty said, shaking her head. But she was smiling, too.
“This reminds me so much of when you two were little,” Jess said.
“Remember camp?” Glory asked, sticking what was left of her marshmallow back in the fire. “We used to tell all those creepy stories.”
“How can I forget?” Liberty asked, shuddering.
“The other kids thought it was pretty funny that my big sister was a counselor and more scared of the ghost stories than the PeeWees,” Glory laughed. “Hey, remember that story about the kids on a date and the guy on the radio says there’s a murderer on the loose?”
“Don’t,” Liberty said.
“They parked up on the bluff,” Glory said in a spooky voice. “And he kissed her. But she heard a sound. Scratch, scratch, scratch--”
“No,” Liberty squealed and shoved her perfect golden marshmallow into her sister’s mouth to quiet her.
“Mmmm,” Glory hummed, smiling like that had been her plan all along. “You’re right, it is really good when you cook it so carefully.”
“Spoiled brat,” Liberty said fondly. “Hey, pass me another one.”
Glory handed over the bag and Liberty impaled a fresh marshmallow on her stick.
Jess closed her eyes for a moment and said a silent prayer of thanksgiving for this time with her daughters, far from all the worries of their everyday life.
Wouldn’t it be nice if life could always be just like this?