Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Essie set the fruit platter on the counter and adjusted it so the strawberries were front and center. Not that it mattered, the kids would devour it all, but it gave her something to do with her hands.
The house was clean and ready. It was always clean, but Essie liked to stay a step ahead of whatever came next. Right now, that meant company. Complicated company.
Sophie sat at the small dining table, her phone in her hand, shoulders curved inward as if she were wishing she could collapse in on herself.
She’d been there since she’d gotten up, which was only about an hour ago.
She was quiet to the point of invisibility, whatever coffee was left in her cup long gone cold.
Essie couldn’t remember the last time she’d shared a house with someone who felt so determined not to be part of it.
Essie took a breath and crossed the room. “I made more coffee,” she said gently. “A fresh pot. Do you want a cup?”
Sophie looked up, startled, like she’d forgotten Essie was there. Her expression flickered from guarded to wary then to tired. “I’m okay,” she said. And, as an afterthought, “Thanks.”
Essie nodded and let her be. She poured herself a mug and leaned against the counter, mindful not to make Sophie think she was hovering. “Liliana and the kids should be here in a couple of hours.”
She’d told Sophie they were coming, but Essie couldn’t tell how much Sophie had actually heard.
Sometimes there was a slight nod, sometimes there was no response.
It was frustrating, but she was doing her best not to react.
“Mateo Jr.—we call him Mattie—has been asking about the beach nonstop. I think he believes it’s some kind of magical place. ”
Sophie’s mouth twitched into a smirk. “It kind of is.”
Essie seized the opening, small as it was. “It definitely can be. Especially when you’re little.” She smiled. “I was thinking of taking them out for ice cream later. You’re welcome to come, if you’d like.”
Sophie hesitated, then shook her head. “I think I’m going to head out for a bit.”
“Whatever you want to do,” Essie said quickly. “No pressure. I just wanted you to know you’re welcome.”
Sophie nodded again, eyes already dropping back to her phone. The moment passed as quickly as it had come.
Essie watched her for a few seconds, then turned back to the counter. She reminded herself, again, that Sophie was thirty-two years old. An adult, but also a woman who had never gotten over her mother’s death.
Still, it was hard for Essie not to feel like she was failing some unspoken test. Like if she just said the right thing, or offered the right kindness, Sophie might finally see that Essie wasn’t the enemy.
A few minutes later, Sophie stood and went down the short hall without another word.
Essie heard the guest room door open, then close.
A few soft sounds filtered out, but nothing Essie could interpret.
Sophie emerged a short time later in a tiny bikini, sheer coverup, and flipflops, tropical tote in hand.
“Later,” Sophie said, halfway to the door.
“All right,” Essie said. “Enjoy your day.” She wasn’t sure if Sophie was headed to the pool or the beach, but she assumed it was one of those.
Sophie paused, hand on the knob. For a moment, Essie thought she might turn back, might say something more. Instead, Sophie nodded once and left, pushing the door shut behind her.
The tension Essie had been feeling disappeared with Sophie.
Essie stood there, coffee cooling in her hands, and told herself this wasn’t a failure. It was just how things were. Sophie had come back wounded and angry and unsure of where she belonged or what to do with herself. Essie couldn’t fix that in an afternoon. She didn’t think anyone could.
But she especially wasn’t going to manage it with Frank in Italy. Although if he was here, would it really be better? Maybe. But there was every chance he and Sophie would end up fighting again. And maybe making things worse.
She glanced at the clock. Liliana would be here soon. The kids would tumble in with their little shoes and loud voices and questions that demanded answers. The house would fill up the way it always did when family was around. It would be messy and warm and alive.
Essie straightened, picked up her mug, and went to check that the guest bathroom was in decent shape.
Like it or not, if Sophie stayed, she’d be sharing that bathroom with two small children.
Liliana could share the master bedroom and bath with Essie.
The kids would sleep upstairs in the loft where the twin beds were ready for them, one with bumpers for Mira, the baby gate firmly in place at the top of the steps.
But was she ready? She hoped so.
Whatever happened next, she’d deal with it with love and prayer and as much understanding as she could muster. That was all she could do.
The sound of tires crunching on the gravel outside came sooner than Essie expected.
She glanced out the front window, her joy off the charts at the sight of Liliana’s SUV pulling into the drive.
Sunlight flashed off the windshield, but she could still see her daughter’s beautiful face.
Before the engine was even off, one of the back doors flew open.
“Grandma!” Mattie’s voice carried ahead of him as he ran toward her, launching himself across the porch, sandals slapping, arms wide.
Essie barely had time to set her phone down before he collided with her legs. She laughed and bent to hug him, breathing in the unmistakable scent of little boy.
“There’s my favorite guy,” she said, kissing the top of his head. “You beat everyone inside.”
“That’s because I’m fast,” he announced solemnly.
His little sister toddled up next, more cautious but no less determined, Mira’s tiny hand wrapped around Liliana’s finger.
Essie crouched again, smiling wide. “And there’s my girl,” she said, holding her arms out. Mira stepped into them without hesitation, and Essie felt that familiar rush of love that didn’t have to be earned.
This was exactly what she’d needed. Her spirit felt renewed. Her heart restored.
Liliana came up the steps last, sunglasses pushed up into her hair, a tired smile on her face that softened the second their eyes met. “Hey, Mom.”
“Sweetheart,” Essie said, pulling her daughter into a hug that lasted a beat longer than usual. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Liliana leaned back, studying her face. “You okay?”
Essie nodded. “I am now.”
She ushered everyone inside, the house filling instantly with noise and movement.
Liliana went back out for the suitcases.
Shoes were kicked off in a messy pile. Mira pulled a beach toy from the basket by the door.
Mattie ran a fast, enthusiastic lap through the living room, narrating his intentions to go swimming, eat snacks, and possibly see dolphins, in no particular order.
Essie watched it all with a full heart. This was the antidote to the quiet tension Sophie had left behind. The house felt right again, occupied and used the way it was meant to be.
Liliana set the baby bag down and glanced toward the hallway. “Is Sophie still here?”
“Yes, but she’s out. Gone to the beach or the pool,” Essie said carefully. “She didn’t want to intrude. I guess.”
Liliana’s mouth tightened, just a little. “More like she just didn’t want to deal with us. That seems more likely.”
Essie didn’t comment. She’d learned that sometimes the best thing a mother could do was listen and let her grown daughter draw her own conclusions.
“Well,” Liliana said, brightening as she took in the kitchen and living room. “This place already smells better than my house.”
Essie smiled and pointed to the fruit platter she’d put out. “I planned ahead, in case you and the kids were hungry.”
Mattie popped up beside them and grabbed a strawberry. “I’m starving.”
“Of course you are,” Liliana said. “But wash your hands first. Both of you. First door down the hall, right, Mom?”
“Right,” Essie answered, thankful she’d put the little stepstool in there.
As Mattie took his sister off to clean up, Essie caught Liliana’s eye again. There was a lot she wanted to say about Sophie, about Frank being away, about the strange feeling of trying to hold a family together when one of the family members didn’t want to be held.
But not yet. For now, she would keep her comments to herself and let Liliana make her own judgments.
Besides, there were sandwiches to make, towels to find, and a beach day waiting just outside the door. Essie turned back to the counter, grateful for the noise, the motion, and the simple truth that some love arrived loud and unapologetic.
No conditions required.