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“So I was talking to Harrison last night,” Eddie says to me.
Oh god. Oh god.
“And he had mentioned that perhaps the both of us should get out of the house more. Can’t say I didn’t agree with him.”
“Speak for yourself,” Monica says. “I am quite happy in this glass-walled castle.” She gestures with her glass of sparkling water to the view.
Eddie chuckles and squeezes her hand. “Okay. Then I will speak for myself. Harrison said you mentioned a few places we could go, where we probably won’t be photographed, or at the very least, won’t be harassed by people. I understand a few photos are inevitable; it’s more about being given space and privacy.”
Harrison didn’t mention the lake, did he? Because that’s not exactly a good place for the royals to go. I mean, we could have gotten in trouble yesterday. It’s only luck that we didn’t.
Agatha hands me my wine, and I have a sip first, swallowing before I say, “I know of a few hikes and walks and quiet places to go. Some more adventurous than others.”
“See, darling,” Eddie says to Monica. “Doesn’t even have to be a hike. Just a walk. I think it would be good for you to get out of the house.”
“You know,” I tell them, “even if you wanted to look around town, I don’t think it would be the end of the world. I’m not sure if as much media is still here, and anyway, with James and Harrison, I don’t see how anyone could get close to you. And the locals, as zany as they are, won’t harass you, I know that much.”
“Are you sure about that?” Monica asks glumly. “My mother has been following the news. She says she’s seen a few interviews with the locals complaining about us being here. It’s more than just some article in the local newspaper.”
“But that comes with the territory,” Eddie says.
“And people complain about everything,” I tell her. “No one here likes change. That’s why they move here. To get away from all the change and come to a place where they can just be. But they also don’t realize, everyone needs to change. You can’t stay stagnant forever. You have to evolve and become more than just a static figure in your own life.”
Monica frowns, probably wondering why I’m getting philosophical all of a sudden. “Is that why you moved here?”
“Well, for the job.”
“That’s why I wanted to move here,” my mother speaks up, already having finished half the glass of wine. “Living in Victoria, I felt too pressured to improve myself, to fix myself. Coming here, people leave you alone. It’s an island in every sense of the word, letting you yourself become an island too. But I’ve come to realize, ever since you moved in, that you can’t hide and shrink for the rest of your life. You have to embrace change and welcome it, or you’ll never get better. If there’s no push, there is no growth, and that is the damn truth.”
I stare at my mother, openmouthed. I’ve never heard her say anything remotely like this before. I mean, this is pure Grade A therapy-speak here.
She gives me a quick look. “I’m allowed to have my own epiphanies, Piper,” she says. “The last few years, the both of us have become so tightly wound that we’ve become dependent on each other. It’s not just me being dependent on you. It’s the other way around too. Only now, with you spreading your wings a bit, I’ve been able to find my own footing. You worry about me, sweetie, and I don’t blame you. But you have to let me live and find my own growth too. On my own.”
Silence fills the room. My eyes start to water. It means so much to hear my mother say that, as shocking as it is, and especially with an audience.
“You are so very right, Evelyn,” Monica says gently. “I think we can all relate to that. I know I can. I am changing, in the biggest ways”—she rests her hands on her small bump—“to the smallest ways. And because I’m changing, I knew that would make me an easier target. But being here so far has made me realize I can’t hide forever. As much as I want to, as much as it truly has been needed to find myself, to rekindle our relationship as a couple, to prepare for the baby, as much as stepping back has brought such peace into our souls, I know that peace is fuel for the future. That it will help us handle what will be thrown our way. I can’t be afraid of change any more than you can.”
“So is that a yes to the hike or not?” Eddie asks.
We all laugh.
“Sure,” Monica says. “And Piper is right, maybe a walk through town will do us good. I’ve walked through fire; a little stroll can’t hurt us.” She bites her lip and looks down at her stomach. “Maybe it will be a good opportunity to tell the news.”
