She glanced over to the right and saw the huge expanse of a bridge being built to connect the island with the mainland. That would be a big change after all the years of needing a boat or the ferry to get over to the island. But change was inevitable. She knew that better than most.
She stood there drinking in the view, feeling the salty breeze toss her curls this way and that, and not caring one bit what she looked like. The air was cleansing, her tension melted away as she got closer to the island.
When the ferry chugged up to the landing, she went below and slipped into her car. She waited her turn while the other cars filed off the ferry. And then, there she was, back on the island.
She turned down Landing Street, appropriately named years ago for its ferry landing, and then turned down Main Street, heading toward Coastal Coffee. She parked across the street from it as the anxiety that she thought had been swept away in the sea breeze crept back through her. She had so much to tell Beverly. So much shehadto tell her. It wasn’t possible to keep it a secret any longer.
But maybe she shouldn’t have returned. Maybe this was a big mistake. Maybe she should have tried yet again in Philadelphia to make a go of it. But how many failures could she handle?
Then when she finally lost the house and needed to move, Magnolia Key called to her. Beckoned her home. Although she never thought she’d be coming back here under these circumstances.
But was it really home anymore? Her parents had died when her kids were young. She had no siblings. No family back here. And her grown kids? Not likely that they’d be coming here anytime soon. She hadn’t even been back in more than ten years. Hadn’t lived here in more than thirty.
And yet… she so wanted it to feel like home to her again. Wanted to feel like she belonged here. Belonged anywhere.
She glanced in the rearview mirror and for a brief moment half-expected the younger version of herself to be looking back at her. The one without any gray hair and without wrinkles stubbornly clinging to the corners of her eyes. She dragged her fingers through her hair, trying to tame the curls into some semblance of a hairstyle. Lines of stress were etched clearly in her features.
What would Beverly think of her now?
She climbed out of the car and stood for a moment, looking at the weathered wooden sign across the street. Coastal Coffee.
A hint of jealousy crept through her at everything Beverly had done with her life. The successful business she ran. Maxine shook her head, chasing away thoughts of her own failures. She resolutely crossed the street and took a deep breath before opening the door.
The familiar sights and sounds and aroma of the shop wrapped around her. The worn wooden floorboards—slightly uneven—and the cheerful light spilling in through the large windows. The big chalkboard that hung over the coffee bar proclaiming the day’s specials in Beverly’s flowing handwriting.
Her nervousness mounted until her eyes met Beverly’s from across the room. Beverly’s smile was genuine and welcoming as she held out her arms. She rushed across the distance and threw herself into her friend’s embrace. The years melted away as they stood there wrapped in each other’s arms.
“It’s good to have you back,” Beverly said as she finally pulled back.
Maxine did her best to keep her tears from spilling over. She swallowed. “It’s good to be back.” She stepped back awkwardly.
“I was just getting ready to put up the closed sign. But come, I’ll get us some coffee. Do you want to sit?”
“I don’t know. I’ve been in the car for hours.”
“Okay, I’ll get us some to-go cups. We can walk along the boardwalk.”
“Sounds great.”
Within minutes, they were heading out into the sunshine and onto the boardwalk that stretched for a mile or so along the shoreline. Memories of walking along it when they were younger flooded her mind. Getting snow cones from the vendor who sold them during the summer season. Grabbing ice cream cones and wandering down the walkway, chatting about schoolwork, boys, their teachers. A wave of nostalgia swept over her.
“So, how long can you stay this time?” Beverly interrupted her thoughts.
“I…” She wasn’t ready to discuss it all. Not yet. “I’m not sure. Awhile.”
Beverly looked at her closely. “You don’t have to get back to Victor and the kids?”
Now was probably the time to tell her the truth, but she chickened out. “I… no, I don’t have to get back anytime soon. I just need a little… vacation.”
“Great. Magnolia is the perfect place for that.”
“I booked a room at Darlene’s B&B.” Though she couldn’t stay there long. She didn’t want to blow through the little money she did have.
“You could have stayed with me.”
“In your one bedroom over the shop?”
“Oh, didn’t I tell you? I finally moved out of there. Bought a cute little place on the beach. It was a fixer-upper, so I got it for a great price. Did the work bit by bit the last few years. Finally moved in a couple of months ago. Now the space above the shop is storage.”
