Chapter 11
Celia Kate’s black SUV moved through the tall and sturdy driveway gate, made from detailed wrought iron that shone in the
sunlight. It had elegant scrolls and palm designs, and in the center, the name “Allyson Island” was beautifully engraved in
a flowing script with decorative details around it. The rich black color of the iron stood out against the bright green grass
and other plants.
Centuries-old live oaks draped with Spanish moss lined the winding driveway, leading to a tall, white clapboard home. The
charming low-country house, situated on the banks of the Ogeechee River and its salt marshes, featured transom windows and
grand steps that ascended to a wraparound porch. The property really was a private island, as it was surrounded by water:
the river to the north, a tributary to the west and south, and the confluence of the stream and the main river to the east.
Moira swung open the transomed Jacobean door to see her longtime friends with arms full of luggage and travel bags. CK looked
disheveled, with her tortoiseshell sunglasses crooked on her face and a pillow cradled in the crook of her arm. Gemma shifted
a bag of snacks from one hand to the other. Their familiar lighthearted squabbling crossed the threshold and filled the front
foyer.
“You’re here!” Moira exclaimed, her voice rising above their sarcastic banter.
She stepped aside, holding the heavy door wide open to welcome them farther into the house.As soon as they stepped onto the fern-green Persian rug in the entryway, they burst into laughter and happy squeals, exchanging enthusiastic hugs.
This was always how it had been with the three of them—no matter how much time had passed since their last visit, they seamlessly picked up right where they had left off.
Erin had been slowly making her way down the staircase and didn’t want to interrupt the moment the two women and Moira were
sharing. She paused when one of them noticed her and smiled invitingly. Moira gestured for Erin to join them. When she finally
reached the bottom of the stairs, Moira introduced her not as the housekeeper but as a friend.
Even though they were friendly and welcoming, Erin couldn’t shake her usual feeling of self-consciousness. Moira’s larger
friend, Gemma, who had a pretty face, radiated wealth in her cute dress and sparkling jewelry. The tall, slender friend’s
outfit—tapered athletic pants, a flowy pink T-shirt, and expensive sneakers—was a far cry from the inexpensive workout gear
found at superstore chains. CK’s outfit appeared to be specifically designed for serious runners; it was both comfortable
and stylish.
“What is that fabulous smell?” Gemma sniffed the air and then looked at Erin. “As you can see”—she gestured to her figure
as if she were Vanna White presenting a puzzle on Wheel of Fortune—“I love to eat.”
Erin was uncertain if she should laugh at the self-deprecating joke, and she noticed the annoyed looks that Moira and CK gave Gemma after her remark.
Gemma must have been the type to ease awkward tension by poking fun at herself.
Perhaps Erin should make a joke about her jeans costing less than a dozen eggs.
“Antonio is whipping up something absolutely spectacular,” Moira announced like the hostess of a cooking show and clasped
her manicured hands together. “I have decided to take a complete break. I’m going to relax all weekend and not lift a finger
in the kitchen.”
CK reached into the paisley-print bag slung over her shoulder and pulled out a rectangular box wrapped beautifully in black-and-gold-striped
paper. “This is for you,” she said, holding the gift out to Moira. “I know you said no gifts, but we don’t follow the rules.
You know that.”
Erin watched the exchange and felt embarrassed. She had obeyed Moira’s request and come empty-handed, and now it seemed so
foolish. What was she thinking? And what could she have even afforded to buy for Moira Allyson? A cardstock of plastic studs
didn’t belong in the jewelry box that housed diamonds and emeralds worth her entire year’s salary.
“You really shouldn’t have. I’ll wait to open it on Sunday, then,” Moira said, smiling warmly as she leaned in to give CK
a gentle kiss on the cheek and then turned to Gemma to do the same.
The three old friends began gossiping about people Erin didn’t know, and she wondered if the entire weekend would be like
this. Would she be the only outsider not in on the inside jokes? She nervously gnawed on her short thumbnail painted messily
by her own hand and realized that maybe she had made a mistake coming here.
Erin’s mama, who was often ill and needed tending to by Erin, always said her daughter had a servant’s heart.
Her mother had also taught her that it was sometimes okay to be served, just like in the story of Mary and Martha in the Bible; it was perfectly fine to take a moment to be still and have her own well filled.
As Erin continued to chew on her thumbnail, Moira invited her into the conversation.
Erin recognized Moira’s intentions of inclusion and appreciated the gesture, but it also made her feel pitied.
Then she was angry with herself because she constantly worried what others thought of her, like a middle schooler.
All she wanted was to turn off her mind and relax.
“Who wants a glass of wine?” Moira asked.
“I do!” Erin nearly shouted, craving something to calm her nerves and self-doubt.
They followed Moira to the wet bar in the butler’s pantry, where she poured each of them a glass of chardonnay in sparkling
crystal wineglasses. Erin watched the bubbles float to the top and realized it was a far cry from the box of pink stuff she
had on her birthday. The four ladies clinked their glasses, and CK asked, “So who else are we waiting on?”
“My friend Nell from Oglethorpe is on her way,” Moira replied while slowly walking toward the living room; her friends followed.
“You and Gemma remember her, don’t you?”
“Oh yes, the pretty redhead from your church. I really enjoyed getting to know her when we stayed with you after the funeral.
She had such a sweet spirit,” CK remembered while Moira nodded and sipped from the glass.
Moira then went on to explain the reasons the other guests couldn’t come.
“Well, Moira, I’m sure sorry Jenna couldn’t hold off putting out mums until next weekend,” Gemma said with sarcasm.
“It’s really okay,” Moira said. “We get together plenty, and I’m always on the go, volunteering or having dinner at the country club. A small, intimate gathering with you all is exactly what I need this weekend. Let me show you to your rooms, okay?”
Throughout her explanation, Moira avoided looking at Erin, knowing that Erin knew she was lying about keeping busy. The truth
was, since Jeffrey’s passing, the thought of attending social gatherings without her college sweetheart by her side had become
unbearable for Moira. As a result, she had distanced herself from her once-bustling calendar and active social life. Rather
than dancing in ballrooms and waving an auction paddle, she opted to mail in charitable donations and spend her time beneath
her favorite tree with Dove and Pearl. There, she would sip wine and watch boats float by.
“Well, I’m not going to lie. I’m relieved MerryLee won’t be here,” Gemma confessed as they approached the stairwell. “I forgot
to pack my migraine medicine. I couldn’t imagine having to listen to her drone on for three days without it. I’d end up down
in the basement in a corner, rocking in the fetal position.”
Moira laughed and turned to Erin as they climbed the stairs. “MerryLee is my least favorite sister-in-law because she’s downright
rude and doesn’t know when to stop talking. I only invited her out of love for her husband, my brother.” She took another
swig from her glass. “Since the crowd will be small this weekend, you two don’t have to share the guest room that sleeps four.
You’re welcome to take your own private rooms.”
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t dare miss an opportunity to keep CK awake all night with my snoring!” Gemma poked her tall friend’s
shoulder when they reached the landing. “We’re bunking together. Right, roomie?”
CK sighed in annoyance. “Lucky for me, I did pack my migraine medicine.”
With Erin following close behind the trio, Moira showed CK and Gemma to the seafoam-green room they would share, with two sets of white wooden bunk beds blanketed in pink and white plaid.
The pretty, feminine room overlooked the back garden, a turquoise infinity pool, and the calm, dark water of the Ogeechee River.
Two large windows were raised, allowing salty breezes to flow inside while the white linen curtain panels danced in the wind.
CK leaned against the window frame, enjoying the beautiful view as she slowly sipped her wine. She tried to push away the
worrisome thoughts and worst-case scenarios about what might happen back home while she was away.
Mo interrupted the anxieties that were running through CK’s mind and suggested that they sit on the porch while they waited
for Nell to arrive. With their glasses in hand, the four ladies followed Moira back down the staircase and through her extravagant,
well-decorated home, eventually stepping onto an outdoor cobblestone sitting area off the main living room. They settled onto
a comfortable L-shaped settee made of white wicker, topped with black-and-white-striped cushions, and gazed through a row
of pampas grass at the confluence, where the tributary that surrounded the house joined the Ogeechee River.
“There’s just something special about being on the coast,” Gemma said as she slowly inhaled the warm ocean air. The others
nodded in agreement and sat quietly for a few seconds to soak in the peacefulness of their surroundings.
Moira interrupted the silence.
“Girls, I’m a little nervous about Nell coming this weekend,” she confessed while crossing the legs of her tan pants.