“Looking at colleges?” Nadine added.
“Or trouble at home,” Eleanor said darkly. “Teenagers don’t usually get shipped across the Pacific for fun.”
“We don’t know that she was shipped,” Vivian added.
“She didn’t look happy to be here,” Margo said quietly. “At the Shack today. She looked... defensive. Angry.”
“Well, wouldn’t you be?” Eleanor asked. “Sixteen, in a strange country, meeting family you didn’t know existed?”
“Did she know about you?” Letty asked gently.
“I don’t think so. The way she looked at all of us...” Margo trailed off. “Like we were some museum exhibit she hadn’t signed up to see.”
“Lord,” Nadine whispered. “That poor girl.”
“That poor girl?” Eleanor’s voice sharpened. “What about Margo? What about Sam? She has a granddaughter she’s never met!”
“Sam,” Margo whispered, and the name carried years of complicated history. “She’s going to miss everything. Again.”
The Circle women exchanged glances. Sam’s absence was an old wound, carefully navigated.
“Have you called her?” Vivian asked.
“I don’t even know where she is this month. Prague? Barcelona?” Margo’s laugh was hollow. “Chasing her muse while her son hides entire human beings from us.”
“Maybe that’s why,” Letty said softly. “Maybe Tyler didn’t tell because Sam wasn’t here to tell.”
“Don’t make excuses for him,” Eleanor said firmly.
“I’m not. I’m just saying... this family hasn’t exactly been traditional.” Letty gestured vaguely. “Sam leaving, Rick with his own struggles. Maybe Tyler thought?—”
“Tyler thought wrong,” Eleanor interrupted. “Whatever his reasons.”
“Sixteen years,” Nadine mused. “First steps, first words, first day of school...”
“Don’t,” Margo said sharply. Then, softer: “Please. I can’t think about what we missed. Not yet.”
“What happens now?” Vivian asked practically.
“I don’t know. She’s here for... I don’t even know how long. Meg won’t tell me anything.” Margo felt the frustration building. “My own grandson has a daughter I knew nothing about, and everyone’s protecting his secrets.”
“Well, you had secrets of your own, Margo.”
Margo blinked a few times. She was right. “I guess people have their reasons.”
“Give it time,” Vivian counseled. “He just got here. The girl must be overwhelmed.”
“Stella,” Margo said. “Her name is Stella.”
“Stella,” Vivian repeated. “Your great-granddaughter.”
The words hit like a physical blow. Great-granddaughter. She was a great-grandmother for the second time and had only learned it today.
“What do we do?” Letty asked.
“We wait,” Eleanor said firmly. “We let Margo get information. We don’t push.”
“Since when do you not push?” Nadine asked.
