AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re in la-la land today,” Savannah said.
“I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
Lockwood Industries was fully funded, thanks to Knox Crawford. But I couldn’t stop thinking about Elle. She’d gone from offering to stay to telling me she needed space.
Ever since that conversation months ago, she’d really only talked to the kids. She’d rarely posted on social media. And when she had, the content was…different.
Some landscapes and updates on her time in Japan. But hardly any pictures of her. I alternated between thinking something was wrong and worrying she’d met someone new.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Savannah asked in a caring tone. The type of tone Elle used when she’d ask the kids the same question. Even in the short time she’d been here, Elle had made a lasting impact on the kids, on me.
And yet it felt as if she were slipping further away every day.
“I’m okay, but thanks. I could probably use something to eat.”
“Me too,” Maddox said. “I can’t wait for pie.”
It was Friendsgiving, the annual tradition Harper and Enzo had started a few years ago as a way to celebrate family, friends, and community. Everyone was welcome to attend and invited to bring a dish. Tessa had always loved the event, and it was hard to believe this was our second year attending without her.
So much had changed. And for a while—with Elle—things had been better. But then she’d left. And for a long time after, I’d been excited about nothing. Interested in nothing. I’d gone through my days on repeat.
The kids and I were in a much better place than we’d been when she first left, but I knew they missed her too. We all did, even Rex. He moped around the house like the rest of us, still wondering where she’d gone. Still hoping she’d come back.
“You have to eat—”
“We know. We know,” Savannah interrupted as I pulled off the main road and headed for Fall River Estates. “Some vegetables and protein first.”
I nodded, still trying to find that balance myself. “I’m definitely excited about pie, but I’m also looking forward to seeing all our friends and family.”
“Even Mimi?” Maddox asked, referring to Gloria.
I furrowed my brow. “Of course.” I unbuckled and stepped out of the car before opening the door to the back seat. “What makes you think I’m not happy to see Mimi?”
“We haven’t had family dinner in a long time,” Savannah said. “And we hardly ever see Mimi and Pops anymore.”
“Do you guys miss them?” I asked, guilt gnawing at my gut. I wasn’t trying to punish the kids, but Gloria’s threats and her toxic behavior had forced me to limit our interactions.
My lawyer, Audrey, had assured me that it would be difficult for Gloria to challenge my custody of the kids. But the fact that Gloria had the gall to even mention it put me on my guard. I questioned whether she really had their best interests at heart.
Audrey and I had also used the meeting to finalize the rest of Tessa’s estate. There had only been one matter outstanding, and it was a life insurance policy.
“Sometimes,” Savannah said. “It’s just…” She sighed, peering up at the sky as a flock of ducks flew overhead. “I think Mimi could use our help.”
“How so?” I asked, grabbing the vegetable platter from the front seat.
“Mommy always said that if someone was mean, it was often because they were hurting.”
I nodded, remembering it well. Tessa’s kind heart was one of the things I’d loved most about her. About Elle too.
“Why do you think Mimi’s hurting?”
“For the same reason you are and I am and Maddox is and Pops is. Because Mommy’s gone, and Ellie left.”
Her words cut me to the quick. Because it didn’t matter how much I’d loved Tessa or Elle, they were both gone.
“I’m sure that’s definitely part of it,” I said as we headed for the entrance to the winery.
“I just think we should try to be extra nice to her,” Savannah said. “And maybe that will cheer her up.”
