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Mama, don’t be like this.It’s just a house to you, but it means something to me.
Fine.Be like that.I won’t answer when you call anyway.See how you like it.
That was her last message, and Cass looked up from her device.Indecision raged inside her as she took in Lauren’s pristine lawn.She too paid for a groundskeeping service, and it showed.
“Cass?”she said.Cass turned toward her and gave the best smile she could.Lauren didn’t return it.“What’s going on?”
“My daughter.”She handed Lauren the phone.“Same as always.”
Lauren took the phone and frowned at the texts from Sariah.She gave the phone back to Cass, and together, they leaned against the railing and looked over Lauren’s lawn.
“She’s a good woman,” Cass said.“But I don’t think she understands what it’ll take to keep that house in the shape it’s in.She’s teaching eighth grade.Does she think she’s going to be able to come down and do the yard work?”
“Or pay someone to do it?”Lauren gestured to her lawn.“This isn’t cheap, and it’s year-round.”
Cass nodded, thinking of other duplicate bills.“I don’t feel comfortable selling it to her.”
“Then don’t.”
That sure was easy for someone else to say.Cass worried that Sariah would never forgive her if she sold the house when her daughter didn’t want her to.Then what?
She wanted to move on from the grief, the lonely nights at home alone, the constant physical reminders of West.Of course she had all of her memories, which were fond and furious in her mind all the time.She wasn’t trying to forget about him or replace him.
She was simply ready to move on from the past chapters of her life.
“Cass,” Joy said, and Cass turned away from the current situation.Joy wore a wide smile on her face, and Cass stepped into her embrace, really sinking into it.They’d gone to lunch last week, and Cass had told her all about her troubles with her kids then.
“You okay?”Joy asked, her grip on Cass tight.
“Yes.”She stepped back and brushed her hair out of her face.“Yes, I’m fine.”
She exchanged a glance with Lauren, who thankfully said nothing.Cass caught the look, and she handed her phone to Joy.“Will you answer Sariah for me?”
“Answer her?”Joy took the phone, her brows furrowed.She read the texts too, then jerked her gaze back to Cass.“Yeah, I’ve got this.”
She turned and went into the house, leaving Cass’s pulse vibrating as she watched her friend leave.
“Well, I’ve got to see what she says,” Lauren said.She brushed by Cass, adding, “I’m not cooling the state of Texas, Cass.Come inside.”
She did and closed the door behind her, sealing in the cool air and shutting out the heat.Bessie and Bea stood in Lauren’s gourmet kitchen at the back of the house, laughing about something.Cherry sat at the bar, also giggling with them.None of them looked to the huddle in the living room which Cass joined.
“There.”Joy handed the phone back to Cass, and she held it so she and Lauren could see the screen.Sage stood from the couch and leaned into the group too.
I don’t think that’s a good idea, dear.You and Robbie are so busy with so many things, and I don’t feel comfortable adding the house and yard and everything else to your load.
“Perfect,” Cass said.The message also testified of how well Joy understood and knew Cass.
I know this will upset you, the second message said.Think of how much work your apartment is, then multiply that by a five-bedroom house on almost an acre of land.
I’m at Supper Club now, so I’ll call you tomorrow.I love you and Robbie.
That was it, and Cass looked up.Tears formed in her eyes, and she gave her phone to Sage so she could hug Joy.“Thank you, Joy.It’s exactly what I wanted to type but couldn’t get my fingers to do.”
“All right,” Lauren said.She stepped away from the women in the living room and clapped her hands.“Dinner is ready, and I ordered fromChez Françoise.The first course is French onion soup, and everyone knows it’s not good if the cheese is too cold.”
Cass stepped away from Joy, turned to Sage and hugged her hello too.She took her phone and shoved it into her purse, which she then left on the couch before joining her friends in the kitchen.
She hugged Cherry and Bessie, and then she was in very real danger of angering Lauren if they didn’t all sit down to eat, so she did that.After all, the last thing she wanted was to lose her friendships from this Supper Club.They definitely needed to continue into her new chapter of life, and Cass resolved right then to make sure she stayed an active member of this Supper Club—because that would ensure she stayed in touch with these ladies she loved so much.
