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“James has gotten into fitness lately,” Alice said, in a tone that told me she was trying to be supportive, but she also found this new hobby annoying.
“He should go running with Alivia,” I said. I turned to her and I could tell she didn’t like that conversation had centered on her.
“There’s a trail right out back,” Alivia said. “If you’re up for it.”
“Sounds great,” James said, and then the kids started crying that they wanted to go running with Daddy.
“That’s enough sugar for you,” Alice said. She looked exhausted.
“I’ve got them,” James said, picking up the two youngest girls and telling the other two to come with him.
“Baths and hair washed, please,” Alice said.
James leaned down to give her a kiss and winked as he stood up. “I know.”
Alice smiled and gave him another kiss. “I’ll be up in a little bit.”
Once the kids were gone, Alice sighed.
“I think I need a drink,” she said.
“We have port,” Alivia said.
“I’m thinking more like straight tequila,” Alice said with a laugh.
“Alice,” Anna said, admonishing her.
“I’m just kidding. A glass of wine would be lovely. I can sit here and savor it and pretend I’m in France,” she said.
“My cousin is in Paris on her honeymoon and I’m so jealous,” I said.
“Me too,” Alice said.
The wine came and I got myself a glass as well.
“I think we’re going to call it a night,” Anna said, and Brian helped her stand. Her arms were frail, and she leaned heavily on her husband.
“It was so nice to meet you, Charli,” she said.
“It was a pleasure to meet you as well,” I said.
“I hope we see more of you,” Anna said, and she gave me a cheeky smile that made me think of Martha. Maybe I wasn’t the only one with a matchmaking family.
Anna and Brian left and it was just me, Alivia, and Alice.
“It’s so quiet. I can actually hear my own thoughts,” Alice said, closing her eyes.
“Do you want to sit out on the porch? The air is still pretty warm,” Alivia said.
“Sounds perfect,” Alice said.
We took our glasses out to the porch and sat on the chairs side by side.
“It really is beautiful here. I get why Mom and Dad bought this,” Alice said, looking out as the moon sparkled on the waves of the ocean.
“You should have seen it when we first got here. It was infested with raccoons,” Alivia said.
“I remember you telling me about that,” Alice said, and I felt like I was intruding on a sibling conversation.
