“Oh hey, honey, I’m going out with Nicky for a bit. We did a lot of cleaning while you were weightlifting. There’s food in the refrigerator, so just help yourself.”
“It’s okay. I just came back here to take a shower. Donnie is going to pick me up again later, I’m going out to eat with him at Shaun’s place. I know I have school tomorrow. When are we going to get school supplies?”
“We can get them while we're out, Luna. That is, if you don’t mind, Jonah? I promise nothing pink or glittery.”
“Fine.”
“Aw, I promise Nicky will be nice. I hope you have fun.” Luna felt the slightest twinge of regret at having been roped into getting pampered and having dinner with her friend. As she walked away, she couldn’t resist stealing one more hug. “Love you.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
Nicky’s car felt wonderful when she sat down on the soft leather seats. “Wow, this feels like all the spa treatments I need right now. It must be so expensive.”
“I like luxury, you know that. Anyway, Emma can’t make it, so we're just going to get some pedicures and manicures for today. Then I need a shower. I have to go out of town on business tomorrow.”
“Are you sure you're doing this so you don’t have to continue helping at my place?”
“Maybe.” Nicky smiled. “Far be it for me to stand in the way of one strapping, older gent who is set on turning your house and boat house to rights. He and Donnie can get it done faster than if I blinked my eyes. If Jonah helps, it will be faster. If I were you, I’d sleep in late every day and let them do it all.”
Luna grinned. “Yeah, you would do that.”
Mindy’s Nail House was buzzing with activity. No one she recognized was in the seat when she got comfortable.
“Hi, I’m Claire. I’ll be doing your nails today.”
“Hi, Claire, it’s nice to meet you. Does Mindy still work here?”
The young girl gave Luna aHow can you be that stupidlook and smiled, popping her gum. “Yes, she’s my mother. She’s in the back stocking the supply shelves. She does that when she needs a break and doesn't want to work up front.”
Surprised, Luna leaned over to Nicky, who waved her away before she spoke and yelled. “Mindy! Get your butt out here. Luna is home.”
Fluttering from the back door, Mindy came out with her blonde hair curling around her face. Her blue eyes shimmered with the same enthusiasm Luna felt seeing her again. “Oh my, Luna, you’ve finally come home!” Mindy wrapped her in a warm hug. “Claire learned from the best, her mother. We are going to give you the royal treatment. We have to do lunch as I have a lot to tell you. Before she leaves, Claire, I want you to show me her nails. I want something glittery in them, pretty gems, something. It’s not every day she comes back to town and ends up backin my shop. We're gonna talk later. Are you staying at your old house again?”
Mindy was talking a mile a minute. Luna had a hard time absorbing it all, just as she did as a kid. “Yes, I’m cleaning it up. We just came from there, and Nicky was a big help.”
“Nicky! Oh my, the world really is ending! Give her a foot massage, too, Claire. Nicky, you don’t get one for not telling me she was back in town until now.” She stuck out her tongue at her friend.
Luna smiled, enjoying every moment she was spending with her friends. “I still can’t believe I’m home. It’s almost like a dream.”
“Or a nightmare. What brought you back to town?”
“My son. We were living in the Caribbean, but I want to be close to him when he goes away to college. He’s thinking of Harvard, but we're not sure yet. He wants to be a microbiologist, or at least for now. He has a little more time to decide for sure, but I’m nagging him to get his ducks in line.”
“Wow! Smart kid! That’s awesome. Well, we're glad you're back, and he’s with you. So, where’s Dad?”
“There is no dad. He and I, well, we parted ways, and I didn't insist on child support, so Jonah doesn't know his dad.”
“Goodness, taking on all that responsibility yourself.”
“I had no choice. He walked out of my life before I got to tell him he was going to be a father.” Luna bit her lips, remembering how that felt. The memory was still fresh in her mind and heart the moment Ronan had left her in the Caribbean.
Alone, without friends or family, she’d built a life for herself, without his help or anyone’s. Luna knew she had a lot to be thankful for, including a brilliant son.
“Well, I commend you for that strength. I couldn’t have done it alone.”
“She’s like a warrior woman, right, Mindy? And we're so glad Luna Grace is home.” Nicky patted her hand. Luna allowed herself to be pampered after that. It felt good to be back with her friends and relax for a while.
“Your nails look gorgeous.” Nicky flashed her fingers next to Luna’s. “I like your red. My pink and purple are too boring. Next time, I’m going to get that color because men love red.”
