“That’s definitely one word for it,” Gabe said. “It’s not therightword, but…” She grabbed RB around the neck and scrubbed the top of her head.
The party continued, people breaking into smaller conversations, the energy warm and celebratory.
Janie slipped her arm around Hannah’s waist. “Are you good?”
Hannah cleared her throat and looked everywhere but at Janie. “Uh-huh.”
Janie put her finger under Hannah’s chin and made her meet her eyes. “It’s short-term, Han. She’ll be back before you know it.”
Hannah tilted her head slightly. “I hope you’re right. Hank’s project is the kind of work RB was born to do, and it’s national. What about when Hank wants to open the next one in Boston, and the next one in DC?” She threw her arms out and clenched her jaw. “New York could just be the start.”
Janie grasped Hannah’s hands and stilled them. “Whatever happens, you won’t lose her. She’ll always be there for you.”
Hannah looked into Janie’s eyes. “Like you will be?”
Her vulnerability almost undid Janie, and she pulled Hannah into her arms. “Yes, like I will be. Always.”
“Okay,” Gabe shouted, startling Janie. “Let’s get back to the party!”
A while later, Maria approached Janie as she placed some spring rolls and satay sticks on her plate. They moved to a quieter corner of the garage where they could actually hear each other over the loud music Woody was DJing badly.
“You look happy, mija,” Maria said. “As if, perhaps, you might one day be at peace.”
“I’m working on it.” Janie gave a small smile, recognizing that Maria was one of the few people to understand that she’d be a work in progress for a long time, possibly until she died. But that was okay. That was life. “I’m starting to feel like myself again. And I’m not constantly waiting for something bad to happen.” She wrinkled her nose. “Just maybe every other day.”
Maria chuckled. “You’re healing,” she said then sipped her wine before looking over the edge of her glass at Janie. “Have you heard from your mother since the confrontation?”
“No. And I’m hoping I never will.” Janie went silent for a moment. Saying that aloud made it even more real, and the truth of it comforted her soul like a home-crocheted blanket wrapped around it. “I think she got the message.”
“Good. You deserve to live free of her judgment and manipulation. It’s time for you to live the life you want, not the one she thought you should have.”
“You helped me see that. You, and Rae, and Hannah all helped me see that I was worth fighting for.” She held out her hand, and Maria took it. “Thank you.”
Maria’s smile was warm. “You’ve always been worth fighting for. You just needed to believe it yourself.”
They talked for a while longer about inconsequential things, until Janie plucked up the courage to quiz Maria on her past. They’d spent so much of their time unpicking Janie’s issues, but Janie wanted to explore a deeper friendship with Maria now that she was on the right track. “Do you ever regret walking away from Hollywood?”
“Never. Because what I gave up was performing, pretending, living for other people’s applause. What I gained was authenticity. Truth. A life that’s mine, lived on my terms.” Maria looked around the garage and gestured to the gathering of Janie’s friends and family. “This is what matters. Community. Love. Being there for each other, no matter what. Fame, and money, and other people’s opinions are all worthless in comparison.”
“My grandmother used to say something similar. She said the only thing that mattered at the end of your life was whether you loved well and were loved in return.” Janie swallowed hard. “I miss her.”
“Your grandmother was a wise woman.”
“She was.” Janie glanced over at Hannah talking animatedly to RB, probably getting her to promise to come home. “I wish she could see the life I’m living.”
“I think she knows.” Maria tapped her nose and looked upward. “And I think she’s very proud.”
Hannah caught her eye and wandered over to them. “Sorry to interrupt, but the girls are getting cranky. We should probably head home soon and get them to bed.”
“Of course.” Maria hugged Janie warmly. “Thank you for letting me be part of this celebration. It’s been an honor watching you find your strength.”
After Maria and Mirta left, Janie helped wrangle the triplets into their coats while Hannah wound the party down and thanked everyone for coming.
Gabe and RB pulled Hannah aside near the door, and Janie watched them talk in low voices, heads close together. Instead of being envious, as she once had been, joy rose in Janie’s heart. Their friendship had been forged in the fires of war and would last forever, regardless of distance or time. Janie’s friendship with Maria had risen from the ashes of a different war, one Janie fought with herself, but she knew in her heart, it too would last for years to come. And she’d treasure it like the precious find that it was.
Shay refused their help to clear up, and Carmen and Tom volunteered to take the girls so Hannah and Janie could have a little alone time on the drive home.
“Thank you,” Janie said after they slipped into her car, “for loving me enough to do something this thoughtful.”
