"So Fae, what brings you to town?" Ursula asked, moving the scene along.
"I hadn't seen my little sister in a while. She never comes to visit." Her smile wasn't joyful or teasing and Tilly held in a deep sigh.
"Work and life keep me busy, Fae." She made sure her tone was carefully curated. Take care of the one not taking any care. That was the rule.
"You think I'm not busy? I'm busier than you," she said with a smile and shake of her head. Poor, silly Tilly.
"Yeah, gotta keep those participation awards shining." Bess smiled widely.
"Why don't we go get coffee started, honey," Ursula said as she stood and pulled on Bess's arm. Bess's vicious smile did not leave her face as she allowed Ursula to usher her into the kitchen where Tilly imagined she was about to get a speech. She couldn't decide if she was grateful or disappointed. She'd spent her entire life ensuring she made the world that Fae walked around as comfortable as she could. She and Ursula shared that trait; trying to keep peace.
"She is very outspoken," Fae observed.
Eloise tilted her auburn head with a small half smile and said, "Well, she's one of those young women who call it as they see it. Going to be one hell of a full-grown woman one day. The world and its insecurities will not be safe." Then she speared a piece of grilled peach and closed her teeth around the tines of her gold fork keeping her eyes and slight smile on Fae, who once again shifted in her seat.
Tilly looked down at her lap and smiled. She should have known that Bess being separated by wood and glass would not keep this space completely at ease. Where Bess was unfiltered and raw, Eloise had honed that particular character trait over nearly four decades and she had no qualms about offering truth with a little sugar.
Bess was a shot of espresso.
Eloise was a carefully crafted latte. Sometimes you didn't even realize the espresso was there as you swallowed it down.
She loved that about her.
"Hey, ladies. Sorry I'm late."
Jen's long, graceful stride made Tilly immediately smile. Seeing her dearest friend set off an aggressive happiness that never waned over the years. "Hey, Fae," she greeted kindly, though Tilly felt the coolness in her voice as she picked up a chair and sat it between Tilly and Fae as Eloise smirked and handed her a glass of wine.
"Hello." She frowned at Jen's closeness.
"Jen," she reminded her.
"Right."
Jen smiled wolfishly. "So, what are we celebrating tonight?"
Fae frowned. "Celebrating?"
"We try and always celebrate something when we're together," Jen explained. "Life tends to be horrific or boring if we don't."
Fae nodded slowly, uncertain by the logic. "If you are always celebrating, then nothing is truly special," she argued.
"Or, every day is filled with a little pocket of special," Jen parried.
"I am celebrating that Bess and Tess helped me paint the inn's kitchen cabinets the most gorgeous light lavender. Completely transformed the too-white kitchen." Tilly lifted her glass and Jen clinked hers against it. "I spent enough of my life before moving here forgetting the good," Tilly added.
Fae rolled her eyes at this and to Tilly's horror replied, "Your entire marriage wasn't bad, Tilly. You act like he beat you."
The thickness of silence was felt around the table. Eloise looked to Jen before her eyes took in an ashen Tilly, her index finger running the rim of her wine glass and eyes cast down to the table.
Tap tap tap went Tilly's other hand against her thigh.
It happened suddenly. One moment, Tilly was watching her sister tread water with these incredible friends and the next, Fae's scream filled the backyard shocking women and the animals until they realized what was happening.
A vine of star jasmine had wrapped itself around her left leg and was now winding around her right in an impressive knot.
"Do something!"
"Right!"
