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“All right, see you then,” he replied, pushing away from her car as she started the engine.
Within three minutes, she pulled up to the house, noting that Josh’s Ford pickup was parked alongside the others. A huge grin made its way onto her lips as she went inside to greet her daughter.
She met no one on the inside, but she could hear laughter coming from outside. Pushing open the back door and walking onto the porch, she made her way down the three short steps that led to the patio, where she could see her family laughing and chatting away while the smell of burgers and hot dogs being grilled drifted to her nose.
She could see Andrea, her mother, Erin, Jules, Aurora, Tracy, and Josh all seated in a semi-circle in the bamboo chairs. Jamie and Cora stood by the grill talking while Jamie flipped the meat.
“Mom, you’re here.” Tracy rushed to her mother, who pulled her in for a hug, grateful for her presence.
“Hi, honey. How was your ride down?”
“It was okay,” Tracy replied.
“I’m glad you made it.”
“Me too,” Tracy replied. A small, uncertain smile graced her lips.
Jo wondered what that was about but didn’t get time to address it.
“Hi, Aunt Jo,” Erin greeted, giving her a big hug. Josh came and hugged her, and shortly after, everyone settled down once more, and the conversation continued to flow as the family joked and reminisced on old, treasured memories.
Soon, the family moved the gathering to the porch. Becky sat on the swing with Jules and Tracy sitting on either side of her. The others sat in the armchairs and the bamboo chairs.
“Mom, I was thinking that since the girls will all be here for your birthday tomorrow, we should make reservations to have dinner at the inn,” Cora suggested to her mother. “Something small and intimate.”
“That sounds wonderful, sweetie. I love that idea. I’m happy that I’ll be getting to celebrate this day with all of you after all these years,” Becky beamed at her daughters and granddaughters, who all sat around her.
“We’re happy to be here for this, too, Mom,” Jo murmured, reaching for her mother’s hand and squeezing it affectionately. Soon the conversation changed as the family got back to their light bantering and laughter.
Jo brought the wineglass to her lips and sipped as she looked around at her family, either holding a bottle of beer or a glass of wine in their hands, enjoying their time together. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, a smile on her lips.
“What a beautiful sight, right?” Cora asked from her side.
Jo looked over at her sister and nodded her agreement. “I just wish Dad was here to see it all.”
