She followed Alice up the porch stairs, in through the front door, and—
‘Surprise!!!’
Looking out at a sea of people, she couldn’t fully comprehend what was happening, even as she read the banner withHappy Birthday, Briarin bold letters.
Alice pushed her into the crowd, where Noah immediately enveloped her in a bear hug.
‘Oh, we soooo got you,’ he said with a booming laugh.
‘Rafa? Zach? Oh my god, Sonya?’ Briar pulled her high school friends into hugs. ‘What are you guys doing here?’
‘Alice texted us,’ Sonya said, with a look that said she had been as surprised to get that text as Briar was to see her there. ‘We wanted to come. We love you, man.’
‘Totally,’ Rafa said, slinging an arm around her. ‘You’re the best.’ He planted a wet kiss on her forehead.
‘Sorry,’ Zach said, freeing Briar. ‘He hit the punch a little too hard. Just like sophomore year homecoming.’
‘Alice,’ Sonya called. ‘Get over here! It’s so good to see you.’
Alice smiled at her and then, after a moment’s beat, brought her arms up for a hug. It was so awkward and endearing that Briar almost cried.
‘We’ll be right back,’ Alice said to them. ‘Sorry, I’ve just got one more surprise for Briar.’ She grabbed Briar’s hand, leading her into the kitchen.
‘Briar!’ Hazel and Laurel immediately pounced on her, and Briar spotted RJ and her dad leaning against the kitchen counter behind them.
‘Oh my god,’ she said, swiping at the tears that were suddenly spilling onto her cheeks. ‘I can’t believe you’re here.’
‘We wouldn’t miss your birthday,’ Laurel said.
‘Or the camping trip,’ Hazel added. ‘Dad and RJ are coming too.’
It was a tradition their mother had started when they’d aged out of camp. No matter what summer plans they’d had, the Elwood siblings were to report during the second week of August for a camping trip to the nearby lake. Briar hadn’t been planning on continuing with it this year, assuming it would be too painful for everyone.
‘We want to scatter mom’s ashes at the lake,’ Laurel said.
‘I took the whole week off,’ RJ said. ‘So I can help with anything else you need.’
She was surprised and touched that her siblings had coordinated the end-of-summer trip without her. Her mom’s ashes were just another thing that she had been putting off thinking about until camp had ended, and it was a relief to have a plan made for her.
Briar put a hand to her heart, feigning shock. ‘But won’t the stock market collapse without you?’
‘Ha,’ he replied, unamused, and the twins quickly hopped on the ribbing-RJ-about-his-job train, the conversation devolving into nonsense.
She avoided her father’s questioning gaze as the twins switched subjects to recount their travels. Briar didn’t want to give him the opportunity to bring up the estate and ruin her good mood. Her birthday had always been the one day a year when Briar could be selfish, and she was glad Alice had given her the opportunity to do so.
At some point, Alice and Noah pulled her away to give her the full tour, walking her through each room to show off everything they had done. A warm feeling settled in Briar watching Alice in her mom’s home – the house that had caused Briar so much stress was finally what her mother had always dreamed of, thanks to Alice.
‘Briar,’ her dad called out as they walked back to the kitchen. She groaned and leaned into Alice, any of the goodwill she’d developed for her dad in the last few hours evaporating immediately at his tone.
‘If I give the signal,’ she whispered in her ear, ‘get me the hell away from him.’
She turned to her dad and RJ. ‘What’s up?’
‘Mr. Lavish gave me a call,’ her father said, arms crossed. She sensed that she was meant to be contrite. ‘He says you’ve been hard to reach.’
Briar nodded. ‘Yeah, it’s closing week. I haven’t been in the office much. And you’ve seen the state of the landline, it’s a wonder calls go through at all. Right, RJ?’ She looked to her brother for support.
‘Bri,’ RJ said gently, ‘I get that it’s been a lot. And I should’ve been more involved, but legally, it’s up to you to make this sale happen. I mean, youdostill want to sell the camp, right?’
