Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
K risten pulled her sweater tighter around her as she paused on the front steps of The Starlight Manor. She gazed into the horizon, noting that almost all of the grass had been covered by snow. She’d meant to bring her camera outside with her that morning, but in the madness of getting all of her presents and things packed up and out of the house, she’d forgotten it.
Maybe Rueben would snap a few for her. She watched the sun rise over the top of the distant trees. He’d have Heidi with him, and Kristen could entertain her while he took the pictures. She had plenty of wall space that would benefit from a framed picture of the sun rising over Five Island Cove, the snow glistening in the light, the trees black against the orange and pink sky.
The snap of a suitcase handle made her turn, and AJ paused as well, a grin on her face. “Taking pictures again?”
“Just with my eyes,” she said. “I forgot my camera.”
“Well, get moving,” AJ said. “You’re going to miss it.”
“Maybe,” Kristen said, and she stayed right where she stood. She’d seen so many sunrises in her life, but each one brought a new measure of joy. She liked to stand back and watch the water too, and she couldn’t imagine living anywhere but Five Island Cove.
Kristen hugged AJ tight and said, “Text me when you guys get home.” She stepped back and smiled at the woman she’d been helping and guiding for so long.
“I will,” AJ said with a smile. She sighed and looked up into the sky as Matt came outside with his arms full of their bags, the car seat, and their little boy. “I’m just glad the ferries are running.” She bent down and picked up her suitcase. “Ready, guys?”
“So ready,” Matt said, and he paused to kiss Kristen’s cheek. “I’ll come look at your dishwasher this week.”
Kristen had forgotten she’d asked him to do that. “Okay,” she said, a glimmer of hope in her life now. And how pathetic was that? But she’d be returning to an empty condo, and she’d so enjoyed the bustling atmosphere of The Starlight Manor, electrical mishaps and all.
AJ and Matt’s RideShare left, and not ten seconds later, another car pulled up. The front door opened, and this time, Kelli herded her teenager outside. “Keep going, sweetie,” she said. “The car should be here.”
Chatter and noise came from inside the house, and Kelli added, “I didn’t see Kristen inside, and I want to tell her goodbye.”
“I’m out here, dear.” She took a few steps so Kelli would be able to see her, and she smiled as relief cascaded over Kelli’s features. She carried Daphne in her arms and a bag swung over her forearm. She still moved swiftly into Kristen’s arms and hugged her tightly.
“I’m going to miss you,” she said.
“I’ll come to Pearl this week,” Kristen said, because she could, and because Kelli needed her to. She sniffled into Kristen’s chest, then pulled away. She wiped her face with her free hand while Kristen kissed Daphne, and then took a few steps to hug Parker too.
“You be good for your mom,” Kristen said. “And Shad too.”
“I will,” Parker said.
“AJ’s talking about a New Year’s Eve party at her house,” Kelli said. “Watch for a text.”
“I will,” Kristen said, giving Kelli the best smile she could. Shad came outside, and they all started toward the waiting car.
El and Robin would likely be the last to leave, and Kristen should probably call a car too. They had families, and she couldn’t just assume she could add herself to one of their parties. She cast the morning sun one more look before she went back inside.
Alice had just arrived downstairs with her suitcase, and Arthur reached for the handle. “I’ll take these out front.”
“I’ll get coffee.” Alice had just started to turn when she saw Kristen. She detoured over to her and embraced her. “When are you going?”
“I don’t have a car yet,” Kristen said.
“You could share with us.” Alice stepped back and beamed at Kristen. “We’re going to Diamond, same as you. We can share the whole way home.”
“Our car will be here in fifteen minutes,” Arthur said as he returned to the foyer.
“I’m already packed,” Kristen said. “I’ll go get my bag.”
“I’ll get it,” Arthur said good-naturedly. “You go say goodbye to everyone.”
Kirsten wasn’t sure why it felt like her girls were leaving the cove for good, but it did.
She loved these women so much, and their children, and their husbands, and their extended families. She loved Alice’s father and stepmother, and Robin’s mother, and Eloise’s girls. They all seemed like they belonged to her, and she pulled in a long breath to try to deal with all of the emotions running through her.
She went with Alice into the kitchen, where others had also gathered with their luggage to say goodbye. She joined the fray and hugged Laurel, Julia, and El.
“You are a queen for organizing all of this,” she said to El. “Thank you so much for all you’ve done this Christmas.”
El nodded and wiped her eyes. “Of course,” she said, her voice mildly strained.
“It’s going to be really quiet in my condo,” Kristen said. “Maybe you could come over for dinner and bring everyone.”
El laughed and swiped at her face again. “I’m sure Aaron would love that, and I know the girls would.”
“Kristen,” Aaron said, and she looked over to find the tall, athletic man she’d once known as a little boy. “Do you need a ride to the ferry?”
“I’m going with Alice,” she said. “But thank you.”
“You’re going with Alice?” Robin stepped into her arms and held her tightly.
“I’m sure we’ll all be on the same ferry,” Kristen said. “If you’re leaving in the next several minutes.”
“I don’t know when we’re going.” Robin stepped back and drew in a deep breath. The news of her Mandie and Charlie’s engagement had swept through the manor like wildfire, and Robin had taken it really well in Kristen’s opinion.
She’d laughed and cried and hugged Mandie, and then they’d sat down together to get a date on the calendar.
“Grams, we’re going.”
Kristen stepped back to hug her granddaughter, and she grinned as Lena clutched her back. “Text me when you get home, okay, dear?”
“Okay,” Lena said, and she turned toward the front door. Clara paused in front of Kristen, and she reached out and took both of her hands.
“We’ll see you soon,” Clara promised. “We’re coming to Diamond on Thursday. We have that appointment with the doctor about Lena.”
“Great,” Kristen said. “I’ll make that pumpkin curry soup for lunch.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Clara hugged her quickly and quietly followed her daughter out of the living room.
Jean and Reuben had left first, before the crowd, so they could get Heidi home and hopefully back to sleep. Maddy and Ben had also left, saying they had a lot of things to do today, because Ben had to report to the Coast Guard and Maddy had to get to the restaurant on Diamond.
“Our car is here, my love.” Liam put his arm around Julia and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You ready?”
“I suppose.” Julia sighed like she didn’t want to leave the holiday house, and Kristen understood the feeling.
“Are you ready?” Alice asked, glancing back toward the foyer.
“Yes,” Kristen said, clearing her throat. “I’m ready.”
“Bye, Kristen,” Robin called, and that got several more people to echo the same thing. Warmth filled her, and she grinned and grinned as she waved and then turned to go into the foyer.
She put one foot in front of the other, and before she knew it, she’d slid into the backseat of the RideShare and was on her way back to Diamond Island.
Kristen mixed the ingredients for her cornbread cookies, the New Year’s morning silence nearly drowning her in her condo. She’d been home for almost a week, and while she’d gone out to Pearl to see Kelli and Daphne, as promised, and she’d gone walking with AJ and Jean once, she had to find new ways to stave off the loneliness.
And today, she would finish these cookies and take them around to everyone on Diamond, then get up to Sanctuary Island tomorrow, where she could see El and Tessa.
So she measured and stirred, her thoughts roaming to all of her girls and their families. She’d gone to AJ’s New Year’s Eve party for a couple of hours last night, but she couldn’t stay up until midnight anymore. She hadn’t for years, in fact.
She’d just scooped the first balls of cornbread cookies and slid them in the oven when her phone chimed. She closed the oven door and straightened, a moan coming from her mouth she didn’t have to stifle. There wasn’t anyone here to ask her if she was okay, or what hurt, and as Kristen had passed eighty, everything hurt.
She picked up her phone and saw Eloise had texted. Happy New Year, everyone! I want to do a Texting Tell-All, and I’ll go first.
Kristen picked up the phone to open it even as it chimed again. Eloise had not given her Tell-All in the first text, but in the one that had just arrived.
I’m back at the inn, and it’s just as crazy and busy and stressful as before. I was hoping a break would help me keep going, but I’ve decided what I need is a permanent break. I’m going to meet with a commercial real estate agent next week, and I’m going to list the Cliffside Inn for sale.
The air whooshed out of Kristen’s lungs. “She’s going to sell the inn.” She’d known El was tired, overworked, and worried about the girls. She was still surprised at this news.
She expected questions, but the Tell-All dictated no follow-up questions, and Alice’s name popped up on the screen, in the Tell-All thread.
I’m terrified that both of my children are getting married this year. BTW, Ginny and Bob got engaged last night, and they’ve already set a date for October.
Shock waves moved through Kristen, mostly because she wished she could be with Alice face-to-face in this moment. She knew Alice was worried about Ginny’s fast relationship with Bob.
Ben and I found a house on Diamond and our realtor is putting in an offer tomorrow! Maddy included a smiley face emoji with it, and Kristen found the same gesture forming on her face.
Parker told me he doesn’t want to go to Jersey to see his dad this summer , Kelli said. I honestly don’t know what to think about it.
Wow, Robin said. That’s a big one, El, selling the inn. And Kelli? I wish I could help.
I’m sure you can, Kelli said. I’d love some advice.
Wednesday lunch next week , Alice said. We can do a follow-up on this Texting Tell-All.
I’ll chime in and say I have nothing big , AJ said. I finally feel settled into my new life as a wife and mother living in Five Island Cove.
Tears pressed into Kristen’s eyes, because AJ had been fighting that battle for years now. She’d given up a lot when she’d left behind the bylines and her journalistic life.
Mine is super easy too , Jean said. We feel settled enough with Heidi that we’re getting a kitten! She sent a picture of the cutest gray and white cat, and Kristen had to lower her phone and look out the window as she tried to contain her tears.
Congrats to all who’ve found themselves this past year , Clara said. We just got done doing a planning session with Lena, and you’ll all die at what she said.
Kristen’s heartbeat pounded in the back of her throat, and she wondered what she’d put on this text string. She’d have to type up something, but for now, she waited anxiously for Clara’s next text.
She wants to take some budgeting classes and some cooking classes so she can move into that assisted living facility on the south side of Diamond and…live by herself.
“Oh, my goodness.” Tears spilled down Kristen’s face, because she’d never thought Lena would be able to live on her own. And Scott and Clara had sacrificed so much for their only daughter. She couldn’t even imagine what they’d do without her just down the hall from them.
That’s amazing , Laurel said, as another text came in from Clara.
This one had come only to Kristen, and it said, Mom, Lena would like to do the cooking classes with you. Is that a possibility?
Of course, dear , she quickly sent back.
I don’t have much either , Laurel said. Paul and I have an appointment in a couple of weeks to learn the gender of our baby. I guess that’s it.
I’m worried I won’t be able to pull off three amazing weddings this year , Robin said.
“Three?” Kristen asked herself and the silent solitude of her condo.
You will , Julia said. Because I’m counting on my June wedding with Liam to be the event of the summer. A picture started to generate after that, and soon enough, a crisp photograph of Julia’s hand—her left hand—with a diamond ring on her fourth finger shone from Kristen’s screen.
The texting slowed a little, and then Tessa said, By my count, I’m not quite last. Thank goodness. You guys are such fast texters. But Dave found a place, so he’s not going to be moving in with me. I’m…happier about it than I probably should be, but there you go.
She didn’t say more, and Kristen went back through the messages to see who else hadn’t gone yet. When El finally texted, Kristen? she realized they were all waiting for her Tell-All. She still wasn’t sure what she should say, and to her great relief, Robin sent another message.
Really quick, Charlie just texted to say he got an A in his molecular chemistry class that he was sure he’d fail!
Congratulations and celebratory texts poured in then, including one from Kristen.
So now everyone knew she had her phone and that it worked.
And that she’d seen this text string.
She typed quickly, her old fingers moving over her screen as she tapped out, My life is full, and I love all of you so much. I love hearing your news, both good and bad, and celebrating with you and commiserating alongside you too.
Kristen could say more, and because it was a Tell-All, and no one would judge her, she added, If I’m being super honest, my biggest trial right now is loneliness. It’s ever-present, and I fight it the best way I know how. So you’ve been warned: Everyone will have cornbread cookies either today or tomorrow.
That made her smile—and the timer sounded on the very cookies she’d deliver to her loved ones, so she got up to go take them out before they got too crisp.