She knew her mother was overwhelmed with the beauty and serenity of the view of the beach and the ocean off in the distance. The porch had also become her favorite spot to begin and end the day. The smell of saltwater, the screeching of gulls fighting one another for scraps of food, and the hypnotic sound of the incoming surf had become an aphrodisiac she never tired of.
Edwina pushed away from the railing. “Now I know why you said you feel alive here. It’s peaceful and beautiful. You did good, baby.”
“Thank you, Mama. Are you ready to eat something?”
“Sure.”
“I’m going to show you to your room. If you want to shower or change before eating, just let me know.”
“I want to get out of these heavy clothes and change into something lighter. But I do want to shower first.”
“Come. The bedrooms are upstairs.” Cherie picked up Edwina’s carry-on and tote.
Edwina stared at the open floor plan. “How many rooms are in this house?”
“It has four bedrooms and three and a half baths.”
“Did you really want a house this big?”
“No. But it was the only one on the market at the time, and I didn’t want to wait for one with two or three bedrooms to come up for sale.”
Edwina followed her up the staircase. “You’ve really decorated it beautifully. I had no idea you were this talented because you never invited me to your condo.”
Cherie glanced at Edwina over her shoulder. “That’s because I was still pissed at you. Whenever we argued, it was about my wanting you to move, and your excuses for why you wanted to stay. After a while, I gave up because I knew I was just wasting my breath.”
“You know I didn’t want to leave my friends.”
“You know those heifers weren’t friends, Mama. They saw you as a mark. They were known to cheat at cards, but you didn’t believe it because y’all had grown up together and you believed that friends don’t cheat friends. And the few times you did win, it was because they let you win. Grammie used to tell you to stay away from them, but for you, it went in one ear and out the other.”
“That’s over, because I’m working too hard to save money and not turn around and give it away.”
“Good for you.” Cherie walked into the bedroom where she’d slept before the delivery of the furniture for the master suite. She set the bags near a walk-in closet. “You’re in here.”
Edwina slowly entered the room. “Did you hire someone to decorate your home?”
Cherie laughed. “No. However, I admit that when I lived in the condo, I did have a decorator give me tips on colors and feng shui.”
“Well, it’s really working here.”
She curtsied. “Thank you, ma’am. Your bathroom is through that door, and the remote for the TV is in the drawer of one of the bedside tables. There are fresh facecloths and towels in the bathroom, along with grooming supplies. Room service is always available, so if there’s anything you’re missing, just text the front desk, and we’ll provide it for you.”
Edwina burst into laughter. “You are so silly.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” Cherie said in a quiet tone.
Edwina sobered, her eyes filling with tears. “So am I.”
Cherie turned on her heel and walked out of the bedroom, closing the door behind her. She hadn’t lied to her mother. She was glad Edwina had come to stay with her—if only for a couple of weeks. They wouldn’t be able to make up for the years they’d been estranged, but she hoped and prayed it would signal a new beginning, a time to start over when they could have a positive and rewarding relationship as mother and daughter.
* * *
“Something smells delicious.”
Cherie glanced over her shoulder as Edwina walked into the kitchen. “I’m broiling bacon.”
Edwina came over to stand next to Cherie. “Can I help with anything?”
“No, Mama. You just sit and let me wait on you.” Her mother had taken her advice and had changed into a pair of blue cotton cropped pants and a loose-fitting, blue-and-white-striped blouse.
