Page 128 of Beautiful Place By the Sea

“They didn’t hide from the truth. Or react poorly to it, or try to bear it on their own. Doing that destroys relationships. Instead, they took the truth and found a way to work within its confines.” My mind flashes to Oliver, back at Shoreline, missing me, and me, here in Brookline, aching to be by his side. I hid the truth from him for too long.

And rather than try to find a solution to our current situation together, I resigned myself to the fact that there was no solution and didn’t even discuss it with him. I know, deep down, that kind of unilateral decision-making is going to destroy us eventually.

And then there’s my parents: my dad couldn’t handle the truth about his family; my mom reacted poorly to his distress. Rather than work through it together, they both turned inward and ultimately decided they’d failed the other.

“Your grandfather was always very solutions-oriented,” Dad jokes, a twinkle fighting its way back to life in his moist eyes.

My heart skips, thinking of Oliver, always joking about being solutions-oriented, too. “I think,” I tell my father, “I’d like to be more like Charlie in that way.”

Dad’s face fills with love. “You have no idea,” he says quietly, “how proud he’d be of you.”

thirty-seven

Ileave Brookline first thing the next morning, a pile of cardboard boxes standing next to the front door of the condo. There’s more that needs to be done, but I need to get back to Maine for work this afternoon. And before I go there, I have a stop to make.

Laurel grew up just a few minutes down the road from me, and we were together constantly. When I pull up to her parents’ house now, I’m hit with a flood of memories. Playing tag in their front yard; countless summer picnics out back. Christmas parties and Thanksgivings, play dates and sleepovers. Uncle Greg and Aunt Bea’s place was basically my second home.

Today, it feels more than a little intimidating.

Because inside is my cousin, who prior to this summer I’d have said was one of my best friends in the world. As she’d suggested, we were essentially sisters. But in disrespecting her wishes where long-buried family secrets were concerned, I’d messed up. And as much as I don’t regret chasing down the information, I should have listened to Laurel when she told me she truly didn’t want to know.

I’m hoping it’s not too late for me to apologize.

My heart’s racing while I wait on the front stoop, but, fortunately, Aunt Bea comes to the door with a gentle smile. “Hey, Ivy,” she offers kindly. “I didn’t know you were in town.”

“I had to pack up some things. I’m going to be moving to Springfield.”

Bea’s brow wrinkles, but she nods. “I hadn’t realized you’d decided.”

I guess my dad must have told her about the library position. Doing my best to look like I know what I’m doing, I paste on a smile. “I think it will be a great opportunity.”

My aunt pulls the door open further. “I assume you’re here for Laurel?”

“I am,” I hedge. “I was hoping she might be open to a conversation.” I don’t see the point in burying the lede; I assume Laurel’s already thoroughly vented to her parents about my transgressions.

“Come on in.” Bea steps back. “She’s working on her dissertation, but I think it would be good for her to take a break.”

“Ah, if that isn’t the theme of the summer,” I quip.

Walking to Laurel’s bedroom on the second floor is so familiar, I could probably do it in my sleep. I knock quietly when I get to her door.

“Yes?” she calls from within.

I take a deep breath. “It’s Ivy.”

There’s a long beat, then she replies, “Come in.”

Relief washes over me. I wasn’t even sure I’d get this far. Easing the door open, I see Laurel hunched over her laptop, a notebook and pen to her right.

“Just working through some edits.” She indicates the notebook and spins in her chair to face me, crossing her arms as she does. “What’s up?”

“I was in town for a couple of days, and I thought I’d be remiss if I didn’t come by to talk to you.”

She stares at me blankly, waiting.

I try again. “I wanted to apologize.”

Her gated posture seems to relax just a bit. “Thanks.”