Dawn leaned back and scrutinized her grandmother’s face. “This isgreatnews! You don’t seem very excited.”
“Oh, I am. I love and miss my daughter. I just worry that it may be another one of those times when she’ll break my heart.”
Dawn took a deep breath and reminded herself that her grandmother had picked up the pieces whenever her mother had let them down. Gran had basically raised her. Her mother had been pretty unreliable, even when she wasn’t in prison. “I know, Gran. I was hoping she could come to the wedding. Luca said he’d be cool with it, but that she’d be on probation and unable to leave the state.”
Dawn’s grandmother sighed. “That’s probably true. However, judges have been known to allow unusual visits, and since she’s been on such good behavior, perhaps her probation officer can ask the judge’s permission for her to attend your wedding.”
“That’s what I was hoping. Is there any way we can help make that happen?”
Annette shook her head slowly. “I wouldn’t interfere if I were you. But I would suggest you write her back as soon as possible and tell her she’s invited. Don’t give her too many details, and tell her you’d love to have her visit and attend the weddingifshe can get her probation officer to agree. We don’t want to do anything to get her into more trouble.”
Dawn’s bubble burst. “You don’t think she would just take off and come here, violating her probation, do you?”
“Lord, I hope not.”
“We do want her to move down here eventually, right? That’s what we’ve been saying all along. And it sounded like she wanted that too.”
“Oh yes. I want your mother to have the fresh start she deserves. She’s worked really hard for that early release, and she’s been clean and sober, attending the AA and NA meetings they have there.”
“Yes, that’s what she told us. Apparently, it’s true, if she’s getting out early.”
Annette nodded. “I would like to see her get a fresh start here as much as you. But things have to be planned, and she’s not been the most patient person when it comes to planning, waiting, and doing things one step at a time.”
“Don’t assume she can’t do it without giving her the chance to try,” Dawn said.
“I’m not saying that at all.”
The teapot whistled.
“I have some instant coffee, if you’d rather have that. There’s not a lot of milk to put in coffee. Can you drink it black?” Annette asked.
“I’d rather have tea. Unless I can put lots of cream and sugar in my coffee, it just tastes bitter.”
“I know what you mean. In a way, I’m glad you’re getting this experience.”
“What experience is that?”
“Not having everything available that you’re used to. I think kids—I mean, young people of your generation—can get a little spoiled. You have at least a dozen choices of brands and flavors of everything on the grocery store shelves. Down here, you’re lucky if there’s two of something.”
Dawn smiled. “Well, I guess. But it hasn’t really bothered me. I understand the island has experienced a lot of losses. We’re lucky to have a few well-stocked stores.”
“I think I can better understand what my daughter’s been through for the last few years,” Annette said. “I’m sure there were plenty of things she wished she could get even one of.”
“That’s true. Maybe she won’t have as difficult a time adjusting to Puerto Rico as we did. But who knows if she’ll be able to come here to stay soon or if she’ll have to spend another two years serving probation in Boston? I worry about her getting into trouble again up there. A lot of gang members were sentenced to twenty years or more for little Mandy’s kidnapping, but there were some that had nothing to do with it. They’re still out there and—unless I’m very wrong—still dealing drugs.”
“Let’s draft a letter together, Dawnie. We can let her know we’re both excited about her progress and would love to see her, either up there or down here, whatever she’s allowed to do. We’ll make a visit happen either way.”
“That’s a great idea.”
“I’ll be right back with a pen and paper,” Annette said.
Dawn sat at the table, letting her tea steep, wondering if she would see her mom before or after the big day. It would be nice to have her in attendance, but Luca was right. She shouldn’t count on anything.
She sat bolt upright. Wait! Maybe there was a way!
* * *
“I’m done dating humans! Can you believe he fainted just because of a little truth spell?”
