“Thank you, that means a lot.” We’ve spent so much time here, it’s hard to see all that we’ve accomplished since we’re everyday. Hearing it from someone else really does mean a lot.
“You’re probably wondering why I’m here,” she states.
“Maisie told me to never question your motives,” I snort.
“Ugh, she knows me so well.” She clutches her chest, nodding in admiration. “Anyway, let’s get to why I’m here. You two are obviously grossly in love with one another and I’m here to beg you to stay in Ruby Lake.”
“Wren,” I start but she holds up her hand to stop me.
“Hear me out, okay?” To that, I nod in response. “I have never, in all the years I’ve known Maisie, seen her so… herself around anyone that isn’t me or her mom. I’m sure you know she grew up without a dad which caused more internal issues than she lets out.” She sighs, looking down at her feet. “She has a hard time letting people in with the fear that they’ll leave like her shit father did. She isthemost important person in my life.” I don’t even notice she starts tearing up until I see her wipe at her eyes. “Over the summer, I watched her allow you into hers when she never lets anyone in and I won’t let that go to waste. I see the wayyou look at her, I see how much you care for her,” she continues. “You two bring out so much light and joy in each other. I can’t let you leave knowing that what you two have is more than just a summer fling and a bucket list.”
“I don’t have a job after the Inn opens, I don’t have a place to stay.” I feel my own eyes start to gloss over. “I want to stay but I don’t know what my future looks like after this place is finished.”
“You can stay with me, Elaine, Kevin. They don’t know I’m offering up their roof but they love you. You are loved by so many people here that will let you in if you allow them to, that’s just how Ruby Lake works.” She sits on a nearby chair and I lean against the front desk wiping my eye with my sleeve. “As for a job, you always have a place at the diner until you find something, we won’t let you suffer. I know you have a degree and all that fancy college stuff but it’s a place to start. The people in this town are family, we help one another and I want to helpyou.”
“I couldn’t accept that…”
“Why not? You deserve to be happy too and clearly Maisie makes you happy, let me help you.”
“Is this what Maisie wants?”
“She must have fucked you stupid if you think she doesn’t want you here.” She huffs at the same time Miles walks through the door, looking at us with a questioning look as we’re deep in conversation.
“Hey,” he nods, “I didn’t know we had company or I would’ve brought you lunch.”
“Sorry,” she stands from her chair, “I was just about to leave.” She looks toward me. “Just think about what we talked about, okay? We’re here to help you.” She eyes us both as she heads toward the door. “You’re both family now,” she says and leaves without saying anything else.
“What was that about?” Miles looks at the door and then me, setting the takeout on the desk. “It seemed serious.”
“She wants me to stay.”
“Ah.” He nods in understanding. “Well, I actually wanted to talk to you about something similar.”
44
MAISIE
Istand on my mom’s front porch, unknowing of where else to go. I somehow got through my day at work but once I got home, I was forced into a room with just myself and my thoughts, and it was all too much.
I suck in a breath, feeling my eyes start to water. I swear my mom has a sixth sense when it comes to me because I don’t even knock on the door, yet she opens it knowing I’m here.
“Maisie, sweetie.” She pulls me in for a hug. “Come here.”
I know she can tell something is wrong as she walks me to the porch swing. Growing up, I would always find her out here talking to my Grandma—they’d journal, knit, read, anything to find solitude. It was where she found peace in the chaos of life.
So many nights throughout my life I spent with her in this swing—friendship break ups, failed tests, not getting asked to homecoming. I know that if I sat on this bench with my mom by my side then everything was going to be okay.
“Why’s my baby crying this late at night?” She tucks my head into her shoulder and rubs my back while I let out a sob, soaking her sleeve in my tears.
“I love Henry,” I somehow let out, “and I don’t want him to leave.”
“He’s still here, isn’t he?” She rubs my head, reassuring me that she’s listening.
“He’s not staying here forever. I let him in and opened myself up knowing what the outcome would be, but it still hurts. I thought it wouldn’t hurt. He’s going to leave me and find something better just like dad did.”
“Sweetie, that's where you’re wrong.” She squeezes my shoulder. “I can’t speak much on your father but it's a disservice to compare Henry to him. I’ve watched that boy spend every waking second of his time this summer begging for even a glimpse of yours.
I watched his eyes follow you the first day he came into town and they never left, they were practically glued to you and only you. Sometimes you have to go with your gut and that day I knew I needed to sit him and Miles at your table. I can’t explain it but I knew I saw something special in that dimpled smile of his.”
