Epilogue
Eloisa
“Healing isn’t a destination, it’s a journey.”
—Eloisa Hobby
One year later . . .
What a whirlwind this past year had been! Not just for Eloisa, but for everyone who’d been on Hobby Island during the extraordinary summer following Demetra’s passing.
She still missed her dear friend with every beat of her heart, but Eloisa channeled her grief into helping others. Day by day the acute pain faded a bit more, leaving behind happy memories and deep appreciation for the loved ones who remained.
With help from Paul and Mateo, Eloisa poured her energies into growing the remembrance garden until it flourished, and Demetra’s favorite flowers thrived as surely as her daughters.
The tall yellow sunflowers basking in the sunlit section, so much like statuesque blond Athena, and the small amber angel kiss pansies spilling from hanging baskets, delicate but hardy, the spitting image of Calista.
Along with the numerous String of Tears plants that grew between the two.
And the fig tree at the cottage where Gavin now lived year-round, filling the position Eloisa created for him as Hobby Island’s golf pro, loaded with so much fruit they’d need a community event to deal with the figs once they ripened. Demetra would be so happy the love of her life moved here.
And as for that devil Benjamin, he’d been banished from Demetra’s daughters’ lives as Athena and Calista erected strong boundaries and went no contact with the man who’d made everyone’s life pure misery.
It was a shame, really, that Benjamin had been unable to see how his egomania and insecurity kept him from loving people. Tragic.
But Eloisa didn’t like to dwell on unpleasant things. She’d once gotten lost in the shadows herself and understood the only cure for darkness was to live in the light. Benjamin had never learned that lesson and probably, at this late date, never would.
Sighing, Eloisa shook off Benjamin Dempsey and the misery he caused and put a happy smile on her face, for today was a special day. The return of Demetra’s daughters to Hobby Island for the dedication of their mother’s remembrance garden.
Eloisa danced along the path, her red dress a burst of color against the greenery.
She hummed “One Love” under her breath, Demetra’s favorite song, as she tidied up—snipping a wilted bloom here, coaxing a stubborn vine there.
The dress was the same one she’d worn to Demetra’s memorial last year, but today it felt less like mourning and more like celebration.
Butterflies kept landing on her, making her laugh. “Do I look that much like a flower?” she wondered aloud, shooing them gently away.
Cocking one eye to the sky, Eloisa said, “Did you send them?”
She liked to think Demi was giggling in heaven, releasing a river of butterflies. She could almost feel her friend’s presence, as if Demi’s spirit lived on in every petal and leaf. This wasn’t just a special day, it was a celebration of life itself.
Eloisa took it all in and smiled. Demetra would have loved this.
Paul and Mateo worked setting up chairs in the garden for the small ceremony.
Eloisa smiled, watching them work in comfortable silence.
Three times a week, Mateo took the ferry to Everly for his Narcotics Anonymous meeting, and he was so proud of his one-year chip.
Eloisa was so glad she’d taken a chance on letting him move here with his parents when Cantu and Julia took over running the Lavender Lark.
“Eloisa!”
She glanced up to see Calista and Reid coming toward her, hand in hand. She rushed to greet them, wrapping first Calista and then Reid in a fierce hug. “Oh my goodness! It’s so good to see you. We’ve missed you so much!”
“You just saw us last month, Auntie Eloisa, when we came down for Dad’s birthday party.” Calista laughed, the happy sound filling the garden.
“A month without your smiling faces is too long,” Eloisa said resolutely. “But come, tell me all about your life in Denver before everyone else descends.”
Reid grinned, his expression a mix of pride and humility. “Well, the video series has taken off in a way we didn’t expect. I mean, we hoped it would resonate, but it’s been overwhelming.”
Eloisa raised her eyebrows, intrigued. “The series about golf and . . . ?”
“Abuse,” Calista finished softly, glancing at Reid with a tender smile.
“We called it The Other Side of the Green. It started with me sharing my story and grew from there. Women from all over started reaching out, sharing their experiences. We’ve even had a few pros come forward to talk about toxic coaching and family dynamics. ”
“Oh, that sounds healing.” Eloisa pressed her palms together, sending her bracelets jangling.
“Reid’s been incredible,” Calista added, her voice brimming with admiration. “He used his platform to make sure the stories reached the right audience. He’s even been helping some of the women find resources.”
Reid ducked his head, clearly embarrassed but pleased. “It’s the least I could do. Honestly, it feels like the first time I’m using my skills for something that matters.”
“My dears, that’s remarkable. Demetra would be so proud of you both.”
“And now we’re building something even bigger,” Reid said. “A nonprofit focused on mentorship and advocacy, with Athena’s mentoring program as one of the cornerstones.”
Calista beamed as they talked about her sister. “Athena’s been amazing. Her coaching isn’t just about the game; it’s about helping these girls find their voices.”
“We do have something big to ask of you,” Reid said.
“Ask away! The answer is most likely yes!” Eloisa folded her fingers together.
Calista held out her left hand, flashing an engagement ring and giggling. Reid looked so proud he might burst.
Eloisa pounced, grabbing hold of Calista’s hands. “You’re engaged!”
“He proposed last night.” Calista slid a sidelong glance over at Reid, happy tears in her eyes.
“We’d like to get married on Hobby Island,” Reid said, wrapping his arms around Calista’s waist and drawing her closer to him.
“Maybe right here in the remembrance garden,” Calista said.
“Or Mermaid Cove.” Reid nuzzled her ear.
“Of course, whatever you want! I’m thrilled for you both and I want to hear all about the proposal when we have time to catch our breaths,” Eloisa said. “In the meantime . . .” She waved at Athena coming through the entrance.
Athena hurried over, looking like summer in a snazzy designer ensemble. There was another round of hugging and congratulations for the bride- and groom-to-be.
“So,” Eloisa asked Athena, “how’s the golf coaching and mentoring business going?”
Athena splayed a hand to her heart. “Leaving the LPGA was the best thing I ever did. I get so much more gratification out of watching my protégées win trophies than I ever did winning my own. Thank you, Eloisa, for all you did to wake me up.”
“You woke yourself up, dear. All I did was provide the venue.” Eloisa gave her a pat on the shoulder, just as proud of Athena as Athena was of her students.
The young woman looked so much more at peace since she had taken control of her own life. She’d filed a lawsuit against Benjamin to get the monies owed to her, and he was now under forensic audit for embezzling from both Athena and Calista for years.
“Not to be nosy . . .” Eloisa leaned in closer. “But are you seeing anyone? Never mind. That was nosy, don’t answer it.”
“Now that you mention it.” A shy smile crossed Athena’s face and she lowered her lashes.
“I’m seeing the dad of one of my students, Chloe; she’s adorable.
His name is Dave Kipling. I met him last year right here on the island.
He’s been widowed for four years. He’s a psychologist, go figure, but that comes in so handy.
I’m learning what it means to fight fair.
We like each other a lot, but we’re taking it slow. There’s no rush.”
“He sounds yummy.” Eloisa gave Athena a hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
Gavin arrived next, and then Cantu, Julia, and Mateo. Right after them came Dot, Vivian, Clare, Luna, Paul, Artie, and Orion. The gang was all here.
“Let’s get this party started!” Eloisa said to a chorus of whoops and hollers.
The group gathered in the heart of the garden, surrounded by the gorgeous flowers and the power of their shared love and respect for one another.
Eloisa clapped her hands together, drawing everyone’s attention. “Grab a flute of sparkling cider. We’re having a toast!”
She waited until everyone had gotten the drinks Luna passed out and gathered around her again. “I want to thank you all for coming today. This garden was created as a place where we can all come to remember Demetra and the good she spread in the world.”
She paused, looking around at the faces of those who had become her family. “But it’s more than just a remembrance. It’s a celebration of life, of healing, and of the journey we’ve all been on together.”
The guests looked at one another, smiling and happy, and Eloisa’s silly old heart melted. If Demetra could only see them now!
“Flutes up.” She raised her glass. “To Demetra, because of her, we’re all here together.”
“To Demetra!” everyone echoed and clinked their glasses. Then in unison, they all said, “To Eloisa!”
Oh dear. She was going to cry. Eloisa fanned her face and smiled and cried and it was a beautiful moment. But she couldn’t be sappy and sentimental for long, she was too practical for that.
“And now, it’s time we made it official.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small pair of red-handled scissors, handing them to Calista. “Would you do the honors?”
Calista smiled, took the scissors, and moved to the ribbon that had been tied across the entrance to the labyrinth. With a quick snip, the ribbon fluttered to the ground, and a cheer went up from the small group.
“Welcome to the Demetra Sarris Remembrance Garden. May it always be a place of peace, love, and healing for everyone who visits!” Eloisa said. Okay, maybe just a little more schmaltzy stuff. “Time for the Labyrinth Walk.”
Leading the way in her bright red outfit, Eloisa took the first step into the labyrinth, Athena right behind her, followed by Calista, Reid, Gavin, and the others.
Slowly, they walked, heads down, hands clasped behind their backs, counting the steps, fully experiencing the feel of their feet on the stones, the sound of birds in the trees, the rate of their breathing, and the mind-boggling number of butterflies surrounding Eloisa.
Okay, Demi was releasing butterflies from heaven, case closed.
Waiting for them at the center of the labyrinth lay a feast of all Demi’s favorite foods. They ate, talked, and toasted for hours and it was one of the best days ever. Then one by one, people started drifting away.
In the end, it was just Athena and Eloisa.
“You don’t have to worry about me, dear. You can go on with the others. I just want to sit in the garden for a bit.” Eloisa eased down on a concrete bench.
“I lingered behind for a reason,” Athena said.
“Oh?” She looked up.
Athena settled down beside her. She had a white envelope in her hand. “Calista and I have been so busy, and going through our mother’s correspondence has been overwhelming, that we just now got through all of it.”
For some strange reason, Eloisa’s pulse quickened. “Dear, that’s absolutely fine. No one expected you to read it all at once.”
“The reason I’m apologizing is because Calista and I just recently found this.” Athena turned over the envelope. It was addressed to Eloisa, in red ink, in Demi’s handwriting.
“A letter for me?” Eloisa pressed two fingers against her mouth.
Athena passed the envelope to Eloisa. “I’ll give you some privacy.” She gave Eloisa a hug, got to her feet, and walked away.
Blast! Why were her silly old fingers trembling? Eloisa moistened her lips and, holding her breath, opened the letter. She started reading, then gave a sudden little gasp and clutched her heart as the letter fluttered to the ground.
She tilted her head back and stared up at the clouds through the tree branches. “Dear god, Demi, this changes everything!”