Chapter 25 #2
And I didn’t need Erica to remind me that today was Topper and Peggy’s anniversary.
The Carmichaels had been talking about it for the last couple weeks.
I knew Nick and Sage had taken them on a boat ride around the island this morning (coffee and pastries included), and their children had a lunch reservation at Edgartown Yacht Club.
Tonight was the big dinner at the Outermost Inn.
I thought about asking Erica to pass along my congratulations, but I realized there was nothing stopping me from reaching out myself. Topper and Peggy Carmichael had been nothing but welcoming to me this month…
And, I thought, stomach churning, I didn’t even say goodbye to them.
I’d seen them through the kitchen window while I hugged Maisie and Bryce, reading together on the back deck, but I hadn’t been able to take five seconds to slip outside to thank them for their hospitality.
I wanted to kick myself.
That wasn’t me. That wasn’t the person my dad and Annie had raised.
May I have your mom’s number? I texted Erica.
Leaving the memory book behind, I left Annie’s room and walked farther down the hall, to a door that opened out to a small courtyard.
It was only open during visitor hours. Greenery outlined the flagstone patio, and bright zinnias burst from terra-cotta pots.
I tapped on the contact Erica had shared, and I sat down in a wicker chair as the phone started to ring.
On the third ring, I started to mentally compose my voicemail.
But Peggy picked up on the fourth.
“Hello?” she answered. “Who is this?”
Right, she didn’t have my number.
“Hi, Peggy,” I said, summoning a smile even though she couldn’t see. “It’s Olivia.”
“Oh, Olivia, hello,” she replied. “How are you?”
“Celebrating!” I joked. “I wanted to wish you and Topper a happy anniversary. I hope you have some champagne on ice for tonight.”
“Thank you, sweetie.” She laughed. “We do have a bottle we’ve been saving for a very long time. Topper and Beth are just dying to pop it.”
“I hope someone takes a video.”
“Charlie has already been informed. I’m told he has the newest iPhone.”
“Perfect,” I said, then swallowed hard. “I also wanted to say thank you, Peggy. Thank you to both you and Topper. It was so kind of you to welcome me into your home this month, and I had a wonderful time.” I started babbling.
“And I’m sorry I didn’t say goodbye before I left; I’m really embarrassed.
I just didn’t expect to leave so suddenly, and I was so worried about my grandmother…
” I trailed off, to right myself. “I loved spending so much time with your family, and I hope you all have a fantastic dinner tonight.”
“That means a lot to me, Olivia.” Peggy sounded like she was smiling. “And I will pass the message along to Topper.” She paused. “Frankly, I have no idea why Erica was so nervous about you making the trip.”
My eyebrows knitted together. “Erica was nervous about me coming?”
“Oh, yes,” her mother said. “She was so worried, so wrapped up in ensuring that you had a great time…”
Something bittersweet twinged in my chest.
“…I understand the last year has been a lot for you.”
“Yes,” I said. “It’s been a lot for my whole family.”
And with that, I thought of my family, who meant so much to me. My dad, Bryce, Maisie, and…
“Peggy, do you have Instagram?” I asked.
“Oh no, I don’t.” She laughed lightly. “Sage keeps offering to download it for me, but it sounds like there is a learning curve.”
“Well, I think you should take Sage up on her offer, so you can follow Erica,” I said. “Her feed is gorgeous. Annie always loved looking at it with me, and I know you’ll love it too.”
Peggy was quiet, contemplative. “How is she doing, if you don’t mind me asking?” she asked after a beat. “Your grandmother?”
I bit the inside of my cheek. “I don’t want to dampen the mood of your big day.”
“Please.” I imagined her waving a hand. “I got seasick on the boat this morning, and Jay spilled his beer on me at lunch. And the kiddies asked to give Posey a bath this afternoon and ended up dyeing her green. The day can only go up from here.”
I couldn’t help it; I tilted my head back and laughed.
* * *
My eyes were puffy from tears as I headed back to Annie’s room, but talking to Peggy about her had been cathartic. She was a good listener.
She also said she’d speak to Sage about creating an Instagram profile.
It was a step in the right direction.
I nearly ran into Tara; she was exiting another resident’s room and brightened when we made eye contact. “There you are!”
“Here I am…”
“I’ve been looking for you,” she said, unable to contain her excitement. “Annette has a visitor!”
“Oh, my dad?”
The nurse shook her head, and my pulse sped up. Had one of Annie’s old friends woken up and finally realized they owed her a visit? That, after being the world’s greatest friend for forever, she deserved a visit?
I couldn’t wait to see who it was and give them a piece of my mind.
But when I marched into Annie’s room, I ended up swallowing my words. Because it wasn’t one of Annie’s golf buddies, or old neighbors, or a longtime rival from her bridge club.
It was Christian Fox.