Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
We found Rita waiting for us on her porch when I pulled into her driveway honking the car’s horn. She stood and waved, looking excited and ready for a new adventure. I caught a glimpse of Alicia on the upstairs balcony and thought she might come down to meet us, but didn’t see her on the stairs.
“I hope Rita likes me,” Angela remarked when I turned off the engine.
That comment seemed out of place to me. “Why wouldn’t she?” I asked, turning toward her as I unbuckled my seatbelt.
“She must be rich to have such a home at the shore.”
I smiled knowingly. “Ask her to tell you the story of how she bought her house here. She’ll keep you entertained for our entire ride back to Pennsylvania.” Angela didn’t look convinced. “Trust me, she’s a character.”
“Okay,” she said. “So, where does Heather live?”
We walked to the sidewalk and I pointed toward the beach. “Right there. Her house blocks Rita’s view of the ocean.”
“Wow! I guess that’s called ‘wealthy.’”
I laughed. “More like divorce settlement, but it’s a gorgeous home. Didn’t I tell you I was lucky to have met Heather?”
She didn’t have a chance to reply before Rita greeted us at her porch saying, “You made good time.”
“We did,” I agreed, reaching to hug her. “Let me introduce Brad’s sister, Angela.” I let them exchange greetings before asking, “Are you ready for our trip?”
“Yes, and I’m so excited! You’d think I was going to a royal wedding.”
“Not quite,” I panned, “but we’ll have fun. Did I tell you I’ve given you the job of entertaining my parents?”
“No, but that would make me so happy because I’ve wanted to meet them.”
“Just don’t tell them any of my faults. I have a reputation to uphold.”
She smiled and patted my shoulder in a comforting touch that felt grandmotherly. “Don’t worry about a thing. Your virtue is safe with me.” We all enjoyed the chuckle.
“Can you be patient for just a bit?” I asked her. “Angela and I would like to take a walk on the beach, though you’re welcome to join us.”
She paused, sighing longingly. “I’d better not risk a fall,” she said, “although I’ve been pretty steady on my feet lately. I’ll just wait for you on my porch.”
“We won’t be long,” I noted. “Would you text Heather to say we’re here?”
Rita grimaced. “She went to Philadelphia this morning to consign one of her paintings with the art gallery. She must think I was born yesterday because I’m sure she’s staying with Wyatt.”
I shrugged, despite my twinge of sadness that she couldn’t save me a trip by taking Rita to Chester County. After all, she was going to Pennsylvania. “That’s okay. I guess love makes us blind.”
“Some of us,” Rita agreed. “Go, take your walk, then we’ll have lunch. I got the kid to pick up our hoagies.”
“Alicia?” I asked.
“Darn right. It’s about time she did something to earn her keep around here. I’ll have to fill you in on that one. By the way, she plans to join us for lunch.”
I could hardly wait.
Apparently, Rita had decided to split two tuna hoagies among the four of us, which didn’t surprise me. She’d prepared iced tea and had everything ready at her kitchen table, although we waited for Alicia to grace us with her arrival.
“I texted her,” Rita remarked apologetically.
“We can start,” I suggested, munching on a potato chip.
Angela did the same, and drew Rita into a discussion about daily activities at the shore in the off-season. It made me wonder if she planned to book a winter retreat, not that her family would have much interest.
Before long, Alicia tapped at the kitchen door, then walked in with a tentative smile. “Am I too late?”
Rita frowned. “We hoped you’d come soon. Iced tea?”
“Thank you,” she said. Giving me a bright smile, she asked, “How are the wedding preparations coming along?”
I smiled in return. “One more week, so we’re doing well. Do you still plan to join us?”
“Of course, but I’m not sure about my mother’s intentions. She’s been somewhat distracted lately.”
“Your treatment?” I asked.
She snorted. “More like her overactive sex drive.”
I felt Angela kick my foot under the table and caught Rita’s eye, so I tried not to overreact. “Whatever,” I said nonchalantly. “I’d really like your mother to come to my wedding.”
“Yeah, I get it. I mean, like, she’s a bridesmaid and all.”
“And my very good friend. She’s also a terrific mother who loves you more than anything in the world.”
“Well, she’s got other things on her mind.” She took a large bite of her sandwich, probably to avoid further comment.
It took everything in me to keep my thoughts to myself. She acted like a spoiled child, yet was old enough to know better. I took a bite of my hoagie, then changed the subject. “Angela and I didn’t see many people when we walked the beach, but we found some nice shells.”
Rita nodded. “There was a storm last night, and they often get washed up afterwards. I’d say it was your lucky day.”
Angela agreed. “Yes, it was.” Her contagious grin delighted me. “I’d get nothing done if I lived here.”
“You’d adjust,” Rita commented wryly.
“I suppose so, although I think I prefer the off-season. The beach feels so private.”
Alicia rolled her eyes. “It’s unbelievably boring!”
“I thought you were making friends with the waiter,” I said.
She snapped to reply, “He’s all right, I guess, but he’s either working at the restaurant or working out at the gym. I don’t need to waste my time on small potatoes.”
“He probably feels the same way,” Rita remarked casually.
“Anyway, we’re going to get on the road soon, so I hope you don’t mind staying alone.”
She shrugged. “I’m used to being by myself, so no worries.”
Angela reached for a handful of potato chips. “There’s room for one more in the car if you want to join us.”
My heart sunk somewhere deep in my belly. Rita caught my eye, and I knew she sensed my reaction. Still, I had to respond. “I think you’d find us more boring than what you’ll experience at the shore.”
“I’m not sure about that,” she replied haughtily.
“Trust me,” I countered, “but we’ll make it work if you’d like to come.” I thought I detected a dim light in her eyes for the first time in a while.
Alicia paused, thinking. “I have an outfit for your wedding, yet I honestly don’t know what my mother’s plans are. I appreciate your invitation and would like a ride, if it wouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience.”
I felt guilty for my initial reaction, yet Angela covered for me. “It’s no inconvenience,” she replied. “Go pack your stuff and we’ll wait for you.”
Alicia grinned. “Really? Okay, I won’t take long.”
“Wait a minute,” Angela said. “I want to see the apartment Jodie called her haven all summer. Do you mind if I join you?”
“Not at all, and I’ll show you the best spot on the balcony to view the ocean.”
After they left, I reached for another handful of potato chips and began munching. “Was that weird, or what?”
Rita chuckled. “Every once in a while, I see a glimpse of the little girl who liked helping me make cookies so long ago. I think Brad’s sister may be very perceptive.”
“I guess so, but what about my sanity?”
Her smile calmed me. “I’ll intervene, if necessary, though I know you’ll be fine. Let’s tidy up here, then we’ll carry my things to your car.”
For a brief moment, I considered texting Heather that her daughter was coming with us, then rejected the idea. Alicia was an adult and could make her own decisions, or so I thought—and Rita agreed with me.