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CHAPTER FOUR
CHARLOTTE
Even as she made the frozen margaritas to take to the beach, Charlotte’s thoughts remained on Austin. He was her first serious boyfriend and summertime love.
While they hadn’t gone “all the way,” as her mother would put it, they’d come close several times. Austin had been frustrated but understanding when she’d explained she couldn’t do it, that her mother had warned her time and time again that there would be no going back if she ever went ahead with it. Because her mother spoke from experience, Charlotte listened.
Seeing him now, she wondered at their innocence. He was still a handsome man though not one she was particularly interested in, especially after her breakup with Jeremy.
“It was great seeing Austin again,” said Brooke. “I remember how in love with him you were.”
“We were babies back then. How about you, Brooke? Any special guy in your life?”
Brooke shook her head. “It never seems to work out. Especially after they discover my responsibility to my mother.”
Charlotte frowned and faced her. “Responsibility to your mother? Brooke, don’t you think that’s going too far? I know how close you are, but your relationship to her shouldn’t destroy any chances for your happiness.”
“You’re right,” sighed Brooke. “But I don’t know how I can break Mom of the need to have me available. She’s called me every day since I left. Sometimes twice.”
A new understanding filled Charlotte. “That’s why you’re here. Right?”
Brooke gave her a sheepish look. “Yeah, Mom doesn’t know it yet, but I told my boss I wasn’t sure how long I’d be gone, that I might not come back.”
Charlotte hugged her. “Good for you, Brooke. Your mom is a sweet person, but it isn’t fair for her to hold you back from your own life.”
“I know. Gran tells me the same thing. But my mother doesn’t act this way to be mean to me. She just feels better when I’m around. Part of it is psychological because there are times when she feels so down and so sick. This visit is a test of sorts. I’m feeling a little bit guilty, but free too. You know?”
“I do,” said Charlotte. “I broke it off with Jeremy, but there was no way I could marry him or out him either. Now, according to my mother, I’m the bad one who broke up a chance for a perfect marriage. Pretty sick, huh?”
“What’s sick?” asked Livy coming into the kitchen.
Charlotte and Brooke filled her in on their dilemmas.
“I’m sorry. I’m not doing much better. My mother can’t understand why I don’t want the same kind of life she’d built for herself. But then, I’ve never been like SueEllen Sutton.”
“Is she the girl who lives next door?” asked Charlotte.
“The one who’s very competitive with you?” said Brooke.
“The one and the same,” said Livy. “She’s married and pregnant with her third child. Three strikes against me.”
Charlotte lifted the blender filled with margaritas. “Brooke, grab the glasses. Livy, pick up the basket holding the napkins and crackers. Let’s go. The beach is calling. I’ve already set up an umbrella and placed towels beneath it.”
“Charlie’s in charge. Just like always,” said Brooke. But she was smiling.
Charlotte laughed. “I can’t help it. I’ve lived under my mother’s wings for too long. Not that I plan to continue. I’ve decided to leave New York. Being part of the social scene isn’t who I want to be.”
“Wow!” said Brooke. “The three of us rebelling. Who’d have thought it?”
They looked at one another.
“Gran!” they shouted, laughing.
###
At this time of day, the late afternoon sun was slowly beginning its journey to the horizon. Sunset wouldn’t happen for several hours, but the mere hint of it took some of the heat from the day and the pace from everyone’s steps. It was a perfect time to relax and catch up with her cousins. Charlotte was a bit surprised at her joy in seeing them again. Through the years they hadn’t seen that much of one another. As grown women with jobs and other commitments, it had been challenging to coordinate convenient times to meet at Gran’s.
They spread out towels and then covered themselves with suntan lotion. Brooke didn’t have to be as careful as Charlotte and Livy, but still knew enough to follow suit.
