“You think I’m strong?” I ask, resting my chin on my knees.
She narrows an eye. “I thought you didn’t want any coddling.”
“Okay, fine. I want a little dollop of coddling to go with the tough love.”
She smiles. “Let me put it this way, Maddie. A weak person wouldn’t have stared down those Huxley boys and kicked them off the property with one pointed finger.”
“They left?” I don’t know why this makes my heart drop—it’s exactly what I told them to do, and what needed to happen. But the thought of James not being there the rest of the night kills me. Will we be okay after? Is he reconsidering if I can actually do this now that he’s seen me mess up so much?
She nods. “They left immediately. But James looked like he’d rather swallow his own boot than walk away from you upset.”
I don’t have time to worry about that yet though.
“I just wanted today to go smoothly. I didn’t want to give anyone a reason to say,We knew this would happen.I wanted this to be the event that finally made this town, and my family, take me seriously.”
Mabel bumps her shoulder against mine. “If you want everyone to take you seriously, then look them straight in the eye when you demand it. Night’s not over.”
She’s right.
And maybe a younger version of me would have used this moment to quit. To wait for someone else to rescue me and make everything easier. But Mabel’s right—no one’s coming to do that. Not only that, but I wasn’t waiting for it this time. Even in this bleak moment, I was always preparing to go back out there. Dreading the fix, but knowing I was the one to do it.
And just to make myself feel better, I briefly picture a young Zora Brookes standing in a busy kitchen when the lights went out because she forgot to pay the electricity bill.
I smile.
Pity party’s over. Time to go finish this night.
I lay my head on her shoulder. “Thank you, Mabel. I love you.”
“I love you too, sugar.” She pats my leg.
I stand, tug the hem of my chef’s coat back into place, and walk to the mirror. My mascara’s a mess, hair askew. I lick my fingers and wipe under my eyes the best I can, then gather my hair and freshen up my ponytail.
My chest still feels tight, but I can breathe again. And that’s progress.
Before I leave the cottage, I glance back at Mabel, sitting alone on my bed. She looks so small suddenly. This strong woman, always giving strength to the world around her, seems tired. Who’s checking up on her?
I pause in the doorway.
“Mabel . . . you’re always the one swooping in and giving us the pep talks and tough love speeches. But it’s your turn.”
She twists on the mattress to see me. “Oh, I don’t need—”
“Zip it and listen up,” I say, hands on my hips. Mabel’s mouth snaps closed. “My grandma—your best friend—died last year. And as we both know, she was gone a long time before that, thanks tothe Alzheimer’s. Your husband is no longer on this earth either. But you . . . you’re still here. You’ve still got a lot of life left. And you need a companion. A friend to walk with you through the rest of it. Someone to call for coffee. A buddy to watchThe Price Is Rightreruns with. And although we appreciate your place in our lives as the Oracle”—we both grin—“you need a shoulder to cry on too.”
I expect her to protest, but she doesn’t. And that tells me I’m spot-on.
Mabel, tough as nails, crosses her arms. “Well, do you have a friend-dating service I can use or something?”
I smile. “Even better. I already have the perfect person in mind for you.”
In my silence, Mabel seems to register who I mean. Her eyes narrow. “No way. Not her. I hate Harriet.”
“I don’t believe that for a second. I think you love to hate her, and she loves to hate you. You also know each other better than most people do. And take it from someone who just spent the last two years surrounded by people who didn’t know the first thing about me: Being known is beautiful. Especially when they know the worst things about you and choose you anyway.” I think of James and how my many faults haven’t stopped him from loving me. “Give Harriet a shot and see what happens.”
She grunts but doesn’t say no.
I take that as a win.
