Now is not the moment for cheering. But I want to cheer.
Nina blinks and wipes her nose, never taking her eyes off Tyler.
“Light’s green,” Lark whispers.
I snap my eyes to the road and hit the gas.
At home,all of us gravitate to the big living room behind Nanna’s sitting room. Every one of us is raw to some degree, and nobody wants to be alone.
I know I don’t.
Pen makes the inspired decision to pop a giant bowl of popcorn, slice up apples and pears, and open a fresh bottle of Blanc du Bois. Livy does her part by sharing a round of gouda and a box of Triscuits.
When we first got home, I didn’t think I’d have the stomach for anything, but the buttery smell of popcorn is familiar and comforting, and as soon as Pen and Livy put their little spread on Nanna’s glass and brass coffee table, I help myself.
So does everyone else. Except Nina.
She’s sitting in the corner of Nanna’s old camel back sofa, her feet tucked up and her chin on her knees. Tyler refuses to leave her side or let anyone else get near her.
And that seems to be okay with Nina.
Livy initially suggested that she call the police and turn Lark’s pictures over to them, but Nina started crying again so hard I recommended we table that at least until morning.
But Livy’s right. The authorities need to know that Kaleb already violated the temporary protective order. If nothing else, it’ll mean that when they have their court date in a few weeks for Nina’s petition for a permanent restraining order, it’ll likely be granted.
Still, I want that asshole thrown in jail.
Pen uncorks the wine and pours a full glass for Nina. She offers it, and when Nina just stares—still too rattled to respond—Pen says, “You’re safe, child. You just need to take the edge off now.”
With shaking hands, Nina clasps the wine stem and brings the glass to her lips. At first she takes a tiny sip, then pulls it away, blinking twice at the wine’s sweetness, and then she takes a healthy swallow.
“Wassail,”Pen says, smiling.
“Drinc hael,”I reply because Pen has taught me well. From his lone chair on one side of the sofa, Lark flashes a confused smile.
Blushing, I take the bottle from Pen and fill the other glasses. When I try to offer Livy one, she holds up her hand. “I’m underage.”
That never stopped me, but Livy is on a much different path than I was at nineteen. I nod my admiration and offer the glass to Lark. When he takes it, still smiling wide, our fingers brush, and I feel electricity dance all the way to my toes.
Tingling, I pour glasses for me and Pen. I don’t offer Tyler any. He hasn’t had a drop since the accident when his doctors warned against the effects of alcohol on his recovery. I don’t think he misses it, and I’m grateful for that.
Pen grabs one of her boho cushions from her pile in the corner and sets it on the floor in front of Livy’s chair, next to the young woman’s feet, even though there’s room on the gold, button-riveted loveseat with me and Maisy.
As soon as I sit back down, Maisy scrambles into my lap, spilling popcorn as she does. “Since we’re all here, already eating popcorn, can we watchInside Out?”
I bite my lip. “Oh, I don’t know, honey, it’s been—”
“I’ve never seen it,” Livy says loudly.
I glance at her. She’s looking at Nina, who’s watching me with a hopeful expression. I check everyone else. Lark nods.
Pen chimes in. “I thinkInside Outwould be perfect.”
Wine, popcorn, and a Disney movie. Maybe that’s the home remedy for post-traumatic stress.
Pen hops up, starts the movie, and turns off a few—but not all—of the lights, so the room softens to a golden glow and the TV takes center stage.
I settle back against the cushions as the opening scene of Baby Riley and her Joy first plays out. I look around the room, and I can almost see everyone relax. It’s strange, but the comfort I’ve always felt in Nanna’s house is here, holding all of us.
