We finished eating, the conversation flowing more easily now. Mia did most of the talking, telling stories about Willet Cove, about her friends, about the beach and the tide pools and the best place to get ice cream. Margot listened, occasionally responding with a word or two, but mostly just taking it all in.
When we finished, Lila started clearing plates. “Margot, would you like to help me with dishes? Just you and me?” Lila asked.
Margot glanced at me, uncertain.
“It’s okay,” I said. “I’ll help Mia pack up the leftovers.”
Margot followed Lila to the sink. I watched them from the corner of my eye while Mia and I put food into containers.
“I think that went okay,” Mia whispered. “Right?”
“Because of you. Thank you. For being so good with her.” My voice broke. I squeezed the bridge of my nose with my thumb and index finger, willing myself not to cry. “You’re killing me, kid.”
“Is that a good thing?” Mia asked, concern in her eyes.
“I’m just amazed by you, that’s all.” This time I choked up. “I’m sorry. This is so hard. Without you here, I don’t know what I would have done.”
Mia stared at me for a moment, her eyes glistening. “Thanks for saying that.”
“He’s a fool, you know. Your dad. Missing out on one of the greatest humans in the world.”
“Vance, you’re going to make me ugly cry.” Mia swiped at a tear that had started down her cheek before hugging me.
I felt a little like Margot must have, hugging her back like a lifeline. “Thanks for being you.” I kissed the top of her head.
“Margot’s just scared and doesn’t trust people, which is not a surprise, you know. I get it. I’d be scared too.” She paused. “But I think she’s going to be okay. Eventually.”
“I hope so.”
“You’re one of the world’s best humans too,” Mia said. “Don’t let anyone tell you different.”
“Thanks, kid.”
9
LILA
After we’d cleaned up the dinner dishes, I asked if anyone wanted ice cream.
“Mom, everyone wants ice cream,” Mia said. “Right, Margot?”
“Not my mom,” Margot said. “She doesn’t eat sugar. Or dairy.”
“Well, I love ice cream,” Mia said. “So that’s sad for her. We got two different kinds because we didn’t know what you’d like. Mint chocolate chip and Strawberry. Tillamook from Oregon. It’s the good stuff.”
We gathered back at the table. I squeezed Vance’s hand before I sat back in my chair. He looked like he’d aged a decade since last night.
“What do you like to paint?” I asked Margot.
“Flowers mostly.”
I nodded, smiling. “I love flowers. I have a whole garden at my house—lavender, roses, hydrangeas. You’re welcome to come over any time and paint them.”
Margot didn’t respond, but something flickered in her eyes. Interest, maybe.
Mia leaned forward. “Do you have any of your paintings here? I’d love to see them.”
“Mom wouldn’t let me bring them,” Margot said quietly. “She said there wasn’t room.”
