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Did I mention the Davenports have their own pond? A quaint but neglected body of water full of cattails and algae. I narrow my eyes. “You can’t. It’s frozen.”
“We can carve a hole first with my super grandma strength.”
I can’t hold back my laugh. “Super grandma strength?” We walk up the steps to the door. “Now this I have to see.”
The door flies open. Sandy has the biggest grin on her face. “You came home! You actually came home.” She throws her good arm around Rockwell and starts sobbing. The moment is so tender. Rockwell’s home again. I know what it means to me, but I can only imagine what it means to Sandy.
I try to release Rockwell so he can return the hug, but he’s not letting me go. Finally, he relinquishes me, and I step back. It’s only then he grabs my hand instead. Goosebumps run down my arms. He does need me. All these years, I waited for him to need me. It feels pretty amazing to have him finally letting me help—even if it’s just to hold his hand.
Chapter 20
Rockwell
Afterallthistime,I’m finally home. It’s weird and I’m not sure how to feel. For a long time, this place has represented the worst day of my life. Mom pulls Brie and me inside and rushes off to make hot cocoa while we shed our coats. I stomp my feet on the rug and take in the walls of my past. Some things are different—the drapes, the rug under my feet, and the TV is smaller. But the couches are the same, the pictures on the walls of me and Morgan, and there’s an overall smell of clean linen and pine.
I swallow right as Brie tugs on my hand. For a moment, I forgot she’s with me.
“Let’s join your mom in the kitchen. We can start talking about your plans.”
Brie knows exactly what I need. A mission. Something to keep my mind in the present. “Sounds good.”
I let her lead me into the next room even though I know the way better than she does. I know I’ve sworn off dating her, sworn off deep relationships in general, and sworn off being another Davenport wreck, but right now I’m grateful to have her by my side.
We slip into the stools up against the mahogany island. I remember how excited my mom was when my dad finally finished remodeling this kitchen. The countertops are a gleaming tan marble streaked with darker veins. I was sitting right here when my parents had their big fight and revealed all their heart-wrenching secrets.
“How have you been feeling, Sandy?” Brie asks.
“A little slower this morning, until you two got here. Now I find I’ve got an extra skip in my step.”
Brie nudges me, but I’m not sure where to start. I’m seven years younger and feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. I hate how my parents did this to me. I hate how they weren’t honest from the beginning instead of playing pretend for so long. My mom deserved to have her life back sooner. I hate how I was the reason she suffered for so long. They shouldn’t have delayed until my graduation and should’ve ripped off the Band-aid years earlier. Waiting allowed an unhealed wound to fester, affecting my mom and even Morgan.
Brie starts talking again. “What do you think of Rockwell’s plans for you to move to LA with him?”
Mom sets a steaming cup of cocoa in front of Brie and turns to grab the second mug for me. I want to jump up to do it for her but know she’ll get mad.
“I still hate it as much as the first time he asked me.” Mom grabs a washcloth and starts wiping the counter where some chocolate dribbled in a streak. “I was born out here and plan to die here too. My granddaddy bought this land, and my dad took it over from him. I want to keep it going as long as I can. It’s my way of thanking them for their sacrifice and for gifting me their home.”
“It’s a sweet way to honor them.” Brie smiles over her mug before lifting it to her lips.
I find my voice. “It is sweet, but not practical. I can’t take care of you if you stay here.”
“That’s why I have good neighbors,” Mom replies.
“Mom, you’re miles away from your closest neighbor.”
“Someone stops in nearly every day to check on me.”
“I want to be the one to check on you.” I grip my cocoa but don’t have any intention of drinking it.
“And you should be,” Mom says. “It wouldn’t hurt you to visit more than once every seven years.”
The dig hurts. “You know why it’s been so long.”
“I know. And it’s time you made peace and moved on.” She glances at Brie and smiles. “Brie is the right person to help you.”
Brie starts chugging her hot chocolate, clearly hiding behind it.
I want to laugh at her, but I can’t be amused right now. I need to persuade Mom this time. “I brought Brie out to help convince you to move.”
