Chapter 11
“You’re driving back with Jules?” Muriel couldn’t believe kissing in front of a bonfire all night had turned into driving six hours together to their respected homes in Boston.
“I think I’m in love,” Cora said, sitting at the breakfast table with a half-eaten grapefruit. “I mean, I know I just met him, but there is serious chemistry.”
“What if he’s actually horrible and now you’re stuck in his car for hours?” Muriel didn’t think that would be the case. She didn’t know why she wasn’t happy for Cora, but maybe because every time Cora dated someone, it went like this…Cora fell madly in love. Then she fell out of love just as fast. Something would bother her about the guy and their relationship would end. And if their relationship ends, would Oliver take his brother’s side? And if he took his brother’s side, would he still invite her to surf?
Plus, Muriel didn’t want her neighbors in Blueberry Bay to have any negativity toward them.
Whoa, Muriel thought. She was spinning.
“You don’t even know him,” Muriel said, pouring a glass of orange juice.
“He’s amazing,” Cora said wistfully, staring out the window at nothing in particular.
Muriel rolled her eyes. “Just don’t…”
Cora swung around in her seat and faced Muriel. “Just don’t what? Kiss those sweet, sweet lips?”
“Yes, that,” Muriel said.
“And why not?!” Cora laughed out and sipped her coffee afterward. “He’s wicked hot. Why wouldn’t I spend all day kissing him?”
“Because he’s Mom’s neighbor and Sadie’s teacher’s brother,” Muriel said as if that were really the case, but deep down, even she couldn’t convince herself of her reasoning.
Cora’s mouth dropped open. “You have a thing for the brother.” She pointed at Muriel as if she discovered a secret.
“I just broke up with the love of my life,” Muriel dismissed Cora. “Besides, I don’t even want to date anyone.” She just wanted to go back to the days when she didn’t have to worry about anyone besides herself. “I’m all set with men.”
“That’s so sad,” Cora said, making a face. “Look at how happy Mom is!”
Cora threw her hand at the front porch, where their mom and Quinn giggled over a cup of coffee. “He’s like, perfect for her. And a lawyer—which Mom swore off.”
“Mom swore off lawyers?” Muriel had never talked to her mother about dating or who she had sworn off. “Did Mom tell you that?”
“She swore off men is what I’m getting at,” Cora said. “Dad really burned her.”
Her mother rarely talked about their father, much less the divorce. Now, looking back, she wished she had been more aware of her mother’s feelings back then.
“Do you talk to Mom about Dad a lot?” Muriel asked, feeling a bit left out.
Cora shook her head. “I mean, sometimes when she calls. But not like these deep conversations all the time.”
“What does she say about things?” Muriel looked at her mom smiling at Quinn. They were talking about something as he pointed out toward the barn.
“She just tries to look for the positive,” Cora said. “You know Mom.”
But Muriel noticed she didn’t say what they talked about or gave details. “Do you think she’s happier with Quinn?”
Had losing their father been a blessing in disguise for Meredith?
“I think it’s completely different,” Cora said, getting up from the table. “She’s older, wiser, and without young children to worry about.”
“I miss them being together,” Muriel said. “I know they weren’t perfect, but I loved our family together.”
Cora put her plate into the dishwasher and leaned against the counter. “Things change, but change can be good, too. I mean, we’ve gained a sister. And soon her and Quinn will get engaged.”
“You think so?” Muriel hadn’t really thought about them getting engaged.
“It’d be great to have this new big family,” Cora said.
Muriel nodded, not willing to argue, because Cora was like their mother—always saw the glass half-full. But would merging families be as easy as she made it out to be?
“Speaking of good things,” Cora said as a fancy foreign car pulled up to the house. “Looks like my ride is here.”
“You’re leaving already?” Muriel couldn’t believe it. “But you only just got here.”
“Muriel.” Cora walked over and embraced her. “A lot of people would’ve just stayed in that relationship, miserable and unhappy. Just like Mom and Dad. But you broke up with a guy who wasn’t fulfilling something for you, so bravo. Don’t forget what grandma would say.”
“A smooth sea never made a skilled mermaid,” Muriel smiled at the thought of their grandmother, Jackie. “Do you think I made the right decision?”
“Muriel.” Cora stepped back, shaking her head. “You started the path to your own happiness, now you just have to follow it.” She put her hands on Muriel’s shoulders. “On your own.”
Muriel’s forehead wrinkled in concern as Cora let go, opened the door and stuck her head out. “I’ll be out in just a minute!”
She closed the door and walked back to Muriel.
“Why do you have to leave?” Muriel asked. “Why can’t you stay longer, and we can spend some more time together?”
Cora tilted her head. “I will always be here when you need me.”
“I know.” Muriel hugged her sister one last time. “Just don’t get your heart hurt by this one.” Muriel had a feeling this newfound relationship would end like her other relationships—fast, fiery, and dramatic.
“I’ll be fine.” Cora kissed her sister’s cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Muriel said.
“Now, go out and have some fun,” Cora said. “Life doesn’t have to be this serious.”
“I have a broken arm,” Muriel reminded her. “What kind of fun can I have?”
Cora smiled. “More fun than sitting around thinking about what might have been.”
Muriel felt that one. Cora was right. She had to get out of her own head.
“Go for a hike,” Cora said. “Or lie on the beach and read lots of books, paint or pick blueberries, just do something.”
“Easy for you to say,” Muriel said.
“When was the last time you did something that was just for you and only you?” Cora asked. “Like a hobby or something.”
Muriel didn’t know. She didn’t have any hobbies. “I don’t know what I would do by myself.”
“What happened to the girl who was up for adventure?” Cora strained her neck to look back at Jules sitting in the driveway talking to Quinn and Meredith. “Oh, dear. I better go.” She grabbed her bag. “Go and have an adventure now. Be the same girl as back in the day who’d be outside all day long playing and being carefree.”
Muriel hadn’t been that girl in a long, long time. She wondered if she even had that little adventurous girl inside her anymore.
“You should learn something new,” Cora said. “Find something that will excite you.”
Muriel had no idea what excited her. “Then stay and help me.”
Cora smiled. “This is something you have to do on your own, Muriel. You’ve depended on people to find your happiness for too long. Find your own happiness.”
Cora kissed her on the cheek and then jogged out the door to the car, where she hugged Jules like a long-lost friend and talked to Meredith and Quinn, who all seemed to know one another. Then her sister walked with Jules toward the car, waving to their mom as Jules opened the door. Muriel couldn’t believe that, just like that, Cora had landed another guy…and was about to have another crazy adventure.
She picked up her phone, about to search for Jules on social media, when a reel of Zack popped up. He was at a Red Sox game with a couple they’d hung out with and another woman. Someone she didn’t recognize.
Was he out on a date?
She couldn’t believe it. How could he have gone on a date already? How could Sarah and Rodney go out with him and another woman?
Muriel pressed on the woman’s profile. Her name was Andrea and she was gorgeous. Thin and a big, beautiful, perfect smile. She opened to Sarah’s information, about to send a text, when she stopped herself.
What was she about to do?
She closed the screen.
When did she turn into this jealous woman? Of course Zack was on a date. She had broken up with him. She had ended the relationship. She had caused all her own misery.
She could call him. Beg for his forgiveness. Tell him what a mistake she’d made. Would she be happy with him? Had she been happy with him?
Or…she watched as Cora waved out the car window as Jules drove away down the road…she could have an adventure.