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Angie sighed. "Ive nested plenty, Lauren. And Ive got lots of baby things. "
"Youre afraid, arent you? You think something will be wrong with the baby, like Sophie?"
"Oh, no," Angie said quickly. "Sophie was born too early; thats all. Im sure your baby is strong and healthy. "
"You mean your baby," Lauren said. "We should turn my room into the nursery. Ive seen all those boxes in the laundry room. How come you havent unpacked them?"
"Theres time. "
"I could start--"
"No. " Angie seemed to realize how sharply shed spoken. It was practically a yell. She smiled weakly. "I cant think about decorating yet. Its too early. "
Lauren saw the fear in Angies eyes and suddenly it all clicked into place. "The other girl. She decorated the nursery with you. "
"Sarah," Angie said, her voice almost lost in the sounds of early summer--the surf, the shore breezes, the bird-song. A pair of wind chimes clanged together, sounding like church bells.
It hurt to see Angie so afraid. Lauren went to her, sat down on the swing beside her. "Im not Sarah. I wouldnt hurt you like that. "
"I know that, Lauren. "
"So dont be afraid. "
Angie laughed. "Okay. Then Ill cure cancer and walk on water. " She sobered. "Its not about you, Lauren. Some fears run deep, thats all. Its nothing for you to worry about. For now thats your bedroom. I like having you there. "
"One occupant at a time, is that it?"
"Something like that. Now. Dont you have something to tell me?"
"What?"
"Like that today is your eighteenth birthday. I had to find out from David. "
"Oh. That. " It hadnt occurred to her to tell them. Her birthdays had always come and gone without much fanfare.
"Were having a party at Mamas. "
A feeling moved through Lauren. It felt as if shed just drunk a huge amount of champagne. "For me?"
Angie laughed. "Of course its for you. Though I warn you now--there will probably be games. "
Lauren couldnt contain her smile. No one had ever thrown her a birthday party before. "I love games. "
Angie produced a small, foil-wrapped package and handed it to her. "Here," she said. "I wanted to give this to you when things were quiet. Just us. "
Laurens fingers were trembling with excitement as she opened the gift. Inside a white box marked Seaside Jewelry was a beautiful silver necklace with a heart-shaped locket. When Lauren opened the locket, she found a tiny photograph of her and Angie. The left side was blank.
For the baby.
Lauren wasnt sure why it made her want to cry. She only knew that when she hugged Angie and whispered, "Oh, thank you," she tasted the salty moisture of her own tears. Finally, she drew back, wiping her eyes. It was embarrassing to cry so easily, and over a necklace. She went to the porch rail and looked out over the ocean. Surprisingly, it was hard to talk past the lump in her throat. "I love it here," she said softly, leaning forward into the breeze. "The baby will love growing up here. I wish . . . "
"What do you wish?"
Slowly, Lauren turned around. "If Id grown up in a place like this, with a mother like you . . . I dont know. Maybe I wouldnt be shopping for clothes that could double as parachutes. "
"Everyone makes mistakes, honey. Growing up loved doesnt shield you from that. "
"You dont know what its like," Lauren said, "not being loved . . . to want so much from someone. "
