“And Erma,” Madge added.
“We’re here for both of you,” Harper said. “You need to remember that.”
She looked at each of the women as she gripped the napkin, now damp from her tears. “I’m sorry,” she said. “All of you are right.” Then she realized the full extent of what she’d done to her grandmother and wanted to crawl into a hole. “I hurt Mimi, and I shouldn’t have.”
They all nodded, and then Myrtle said, “You know what you need to do, then.”
“Yes.” Riley said, starting to get up from the table. “I have to talk to her.”
“You should have a bite to eat first,” Bea said.
“Bea!” all the Bosom Buddies said in unison.
Riley held Bea’s hand. “Thank you, but this can’t wait.”
“I’ll drive you over,” Myrtle said, rising from her chair.
“I’ll drive her,” Harper said.
“We’ll go with you.” Anita grabbed her purse off the one vacant space on Bea’s counter and put the short double strap on her arm. Olivia also stood.
Riley nodded, overwhelmed with emotions she’d never felt before, but that her soul desperately needed.
“I’ll get my stuff.” Before she left the kitchen, she paused, looking at each woman in front of her, old and young. “I love you all,” she said, her voice thick.
They all smiled. “We love you too.”
***
Although she was defying her doctor’s orders by not resting and elevating her leg, Erma continued pacing back and forth in the living room. She hadn’t slept a wink last night, and even though she knew Riley was safe and well taken care of at Bea’s, it didn’t ease her mind. Despite Riley’s upbringing and her habit of separating herself from others to keep from getting hurt, she had never been rebellious. In fact, Erma had never had a bit of trouble from her, other than the typical teenage pouting and moodiness, a welcome respite from the difficulties she and Gus experienced raising Tracey. She’d hoped Riley would find her place in Maple Falls, but she couldn’t blame her that she hadn’t. Some obstacles were too difficult to overcome, and she had to acknowledge that she was a part of them. If she had been honest with Riley to begin with, they might not be in this situation now.
Erma pressed her hand to her heart. Her ticker was fine, but the pain she felt in her chest was almost too much to bear. Riley had the right to be angry, considering what Tracey had put her through, and Erma only knew about a few things. She was sure her granddaughter had witnessed and endured many awful things that she hadn’t said a word about, not even to the counselor Erma had taken her to when she first started living with her. When Riley turned fourteen and said she didn’t want to see the counselor, Erma had acquiesced. Over the years she questioned that decision, along with so many others.
Her leg was on the verge of giving out and she finally sat down. Her thoughts raced. Would she ever see Riley again? Had she committed an unpardonable sin? Perhaps she had. But she couldn’t change that now, just as she couldn’t change Tracey. Riley was an adult. Erma had to respect her decision, and part of that respect was not chasing her down and begging her to come back.
She closed her eyes, nearly breathless from the ache in her heart. How could she go on without Riley?
A knock sounded at the door, but Erma ignored it. She knew it had to be Bea. Or possibly the whole BB group. She didn’t want to see them right now. At some point she would apologize to Bea for being rude last night, but not now. The only person she wanted to see was Riley.
The front door opened, and Erma steeled herself for the onslaught of her friends, who always meant well. Instead, Riley walked through the door, her duffel bag over her shoulder.
Erma jumped up from the chair, hiding the shooting pain in her leg. She wanted to run and take her granddaughter in her arms, but she held her ground.
“Hi,” she said softly.
Riley stayed in the shadows of the alcove. “Can I come in?”
“Of course.” Erma wished she’d grabbed her cane to hold on to, because she could feel herself starting to sway.
Riley walked into the living room but kept her distance from Erma. “I’m sorry, Mimi,” she said. “I shouldn’t have left you like that.”
Relief flooded Erma, nearly knocking her over. “It’s all right, sugar,” she said. “I understand why you did.”
“But I don’t.” She set her duffel bag on the floor, walked over to Erma, and hugged her. “I don’t understand anything anymore.”
“Oh, sugar.” Erma held her tight. “That’s my fault.” It would be easy to lay all the blame at her daughter’s feet, but she couldn’t do that. “I should have done things differently.” She smoothed back Riley’s mussed hair. “I should have told you the truth about everything. I should have let you know Tracey was adopted. I never should have listened to that lawyer. I should have held my ground and taken you out of Tracey’s care years before I did. I was a lot stronger when your Poppy was alive.”
“You’re the strongest woman I know.”
