Chapter Nine
“Olivia!” Kara squeals as the doorbell rings and takes off down the hall. Maisie and I watch from the table as we finish up the cookout prep. She’s been quiet since lunch. It worries me.
Laughter fills the house as Olivia and Kara make their way into the kitchen. I smile, soaking in the lightness. I hope Maisie can join in on the fun and let her heartache go for a little while.
“I feel like I’ve been here more than my own home this weekend,” Sam says as she enters the room, holding a bag and a bottle of wine. “I brought my not-so-famous baked beans again, a fruit tray, and wine.” Her bright smile warms me, letting me know how much I enjoy her company.
“Hi, again!” I smile back. “This is becoming a habit.” I take the bag from her.
“Hello, my sweet Maisie girl.” Sam goes over and hugs her. I don’t know if she can read Maisie’s mood, but she definitely earns major points in my book for that.
Maisie smiles at Sam. “We’re having hot dogs and s’mores.”
“I’m so excited!” Sam winks. “What can I do to help?”
“Maisie?” Kara says as she and Olivia enter the dining room. “Come see Olivia’s nails. You’re going to love them.”
Maisie hops off the chair, her eyes bright with curiosity, and takes off toward them. I watch as the girls engage in conversation. I made a good decision this time. I’m hoping for more of those good moments than the bad.
“I guess I should go light the fire,” I say to Sam, gesturing toward the back door.
“Want to join me?” The firepit we used last night is my favorite part of the house.
It’s a circle of beautiful stones. I stack the new wood in the pit and light it.
Sam sits down behind me as I poke the logs, helping the fire catch.
“I’m surprised Kara called to invite us over.” It isn’t really a question, but her curiosity is obvious. She knows Kara is grounded.
I pull a footstool closer and sit by the fire. I sigh, then turn to Sam. “I need someone to talk to, and I can’t think of anyone better than you.” I shrug in defeat. “Do you mind?” It isn’t easy for me to do this—ask for advice, open up like this to someone other than Steven or my sister.
“Of course. You can talk to me about anything.” Sam leans forward, her long brown hair falling over her tanned arms.
I pause. She looks stunning like this—relaxed, natural. The firelight catches her green shirt, making her hazel eyes stand out even more beneath those dark lashes.
“I need this to stay between us, please.”
“Cross my heart.” Sam draws an X over her chest.
“In all honesty, I want to drive over to the girls’ Gigi’s house and beat her ass right there in her own home. I know that’s bad.” I hold my hands up in surrender. “But I can’t take her hurting my sister’s babies like this.”
“What happened?” Sam asks, her brows furrowing with concern.
I clear my throat, uneasy about revealing something so personal about my niece.
“Maisie’s been wetting the bed on occasion since Annie and Bill passed.
She’s been seeing a therapist, but it hasn’t stopped.
She had an accident at Judy’s last night, and that woman made her sleep in it all night long.
” I shake my head and turn back to poke at the fire, my tears threatening to spill.
A warm hand touches the back of my neck, squeezing gently. “Allie,” Sam says softly. “I’m so sorry. That’s cruel and unjust. I’d like to go with you to beat her ass.”
I turn toward Sam, a laugh and a tear slipping out at the same time. She smiles, her hand moving from my neck to gently wipe my cheek.
“Hey!” Kara says, storming through the patio door with Olivia and Maisie. Sam jerks her hand back. “We’re hungry.”
“Okay, girls.” Sam stands. “Help me get the food and bring it out.” The kids turn back toward the kitchen. As Sam passes me, she brushes her hand across my back. I know she’s giving me time to regroup.
I take a moment to wipe my eyes, then poke the fire and let out a slow breath. “Annie,” I whisper, staring into the flames. “I miss you.” As I stand to make my way inside, the girls come barreling out again, laughing, with their hands full of food.
“I’ll grab the roasting sticks,” I tell Sam.
My stomach twists under the weight of our eye contact.
I find her incredibly attractive. And I’m getting vibes that there’s something there beyond friendship.
I just…I don’t know. I’m super sensitive lately with my life being turned upside down, thrown sideways, and trying to build a new track to travel on.
It’s hard to feel certain about anything right now.
“Allie,” Sam says, stopping my progress inside. “Could you grab the girls some drinks and maybe you and I some wine?”
“You got it.” I grab three sodas from the fridge. The roasting sticks are somewhere in this cabinet next to the sink. I bend down to search for them when I hear the patio door open.
“Aunt Allie,” Maisie yells out, not knowing where I am.
“I’m here, honey.” I wave my hand above the counter for her to see. Footsteps get closer before stopping next to the open cabinet.
“Sam asked me to help bring stuff out.”
I lean back on my hands. “Well, thank you. That’s super thoughtful.
Want to carry the sodas?” Maisie nods. “I got you all Sprite. Is that okay?” She nods again, more vigorously this time, then gathers the cans in her small arms and takes off.
I finally find the roasting sticks hidden way in the back.
Tucking them under one arm and the wine under the other, I grab two wineglasses and a bottle opener.
“About time!” Kara rushes over to help. She’s full of energy tonight. She pulls the sticks from under my arms.
“Careful,” I say, shifting things so I don’t drop them. Sam takes the wineglasses from my hand. Her smile is charming. I set the wine on the table and move to help the girls with the hot dogs while Sam busies herself opening it.
“Hold it back like this.” I show Maisie before handing it over. She’s done this before, but it still makes me feel better to reiterate. Kara and Olivia are old enough to do their own. I grab two more and fix one for Sam.
“Trade you,” Sam says, holding out a glass of wine.
“That seems like a fair deal.” I hand her the stick as she passes me my wine.
We stand around the fire pit turning our hot dogs.
I catch Maisie sneaking glances at me before quickly looking away, and then it clicks.
I teased her about cooking mine. “Maisie girl,” I say, narrowing my eyes at her.
“I thought you were in charge of mine too.”
She giggles. “I am.” She reaches out her free hand for my stick. I gladly hand it over, knowing she didn’t forget our conversation. I move in behind her, guiding her when to turn them and praising the fantastic job she’s doing.
Across the fire, I catch Sam watching us while still keeping an eye on Kara and Olivia. She’s a good mom. I see why Annie trusted her so much with Kara.
“Is this done?” Maisie lifts the hot dogs from the fire to show me.
“Good eye, kiddo. They look perfect.” I grab a tray of open buns and slide Maisie’s off first.
“Condiments are on the table over there.” Sam points. “Let me help you, sweetheart.” She hands over her stick before walking off. Kara and Olivia are next. The girls fix their plates first with chips and dip, fruit, and baked beans before heading back to the chairs around the fire.
“Not as good as last night,” Sam says, flashing me a smile, “but the company’s just as great.” She takes a bite of her hot dog, then walks over to the girls.
A weight lifts off my shoulders just by Sam being here. I think I needed this night as much as Kara and Maisie did.
“This is fun!” Maisie grins, ketchup at the corners of her mouth.
“Thanks for having me over,” Olivia says. “It’s been hard without my bestie.”
“Sam! Could you pretty please french braid my hair later?” Her big brown eyes are framed by her long blond hair falling over her shoulders. Every time I look at her, I see my sister. It’s a blessing, and a little bit of heartache. I’m grateful for the reminder.
“I’d love to.” Sam’s warm smile makes Maisie wiggle in her seat.
There’s my girl. My heart swells. Having kids was never what I wanted, but I’m starting to understand what Annie loved so much about it.
It’s moments like this, when they’re happy, that you feel like you’re doing something right.
A little piece of you will grow up in the world and hopefully make it a little better along the way.
The fact that you had a hand in creating a good human feels pretty good.
I just wish Annie’s dreams could have been lived out.
“Aunt Allie?” Maisie says, snapping me from my thoughts.
“Yes?” I draw out the word, earning a giggle from her.
“Can we do the s’mores now? I finished my hot dog.” She lifts her plate to prove it. She ate all of her fruit too.
“Whoa! That hot dog treated you right, huh?” I wink. Maisie nods. “Let’s wait until Kara and Olivia are done, okay?”
“Done,” Kara announces. The fact that she’s actually eating in my presence is astounding.
“Same.” Olivia brushes the crumbs from her hands.
“Well then, have at it. You know where everything is. Go grab it.”
Olivia glances at Sam. “Mom, may I?”
“Of course.” Sam gestures for them to go ahead.
The girls trot off to the kitchen, excitement buzzing in the air. S’mores have always been a favorite in this house. I sigh a breath of relief to be able to enjoy a moment with them. They’ve been few and far between lately.
“Olivia’s manners are on point. Can I send the girls home with you for a week?” I smile at Sam lightheartedly.
Sam chuckles, her cheeks tinting. “I’d take them in a heartbeat.
You know you’re doing an amazing job, right?
I wouldn’t lie to you. Annie had her share of tough times with Kara as well.
She used to tell me that Kara reminded her of you—strong-willed, stubborn, but incredibly affectionate and thoughtful. ”