“Not every year,” Merilee replied. “Just the big ones. When we come of age and when we turn eighty.”
“Why those?” I asked.
Merilee lifted her empty goblet, signaling Earl for a refill. “Coming of age is obvious, isn’t it? That’s when everything changes. You’re no longer bound by childish rules. You’re free tobewithout apology, to truly experience it all withoutreserve—love, joy, pleasure, desire, sex.” She gave me a wicked grin. “Youdoremember what sex is like, don’t you?”
My cheeks burned. And not from the sherry. I wasn’t about to divulge anything I wanted or needed or had (or hadn’t much) experienced. Luckily, before I could respond, Earl showed up to refill both our goblets before moving on to chat with Billy Wayne and Iris, Kitty having gone back inside.
Merilee reached up to curl a tendril of my hair around her finger and gave it a playful tug, her grin never faltering. “You need to learn to have some fun, Zellie-girl. Life doesn’t always have to be soserious.”
She tapped her goblet to mine and tossed back her drink then looked at me expectantly. I only took a sip this time, letting the liquid roll around on my tongue, savoring the flavor. It was delicious—a blend of spices and fruit and other flavors that reminded me of a mulled wine I had once at a Christmas party. But it wasn’t like I had a broad basis for comparison. I never drank much. With Henry’s medical condition, I couldn’t afford to be even a little tipsy in case we had to make a trip to the ER.
“What d’you think, Zellie?” Earl called from across the yard. He was looking at me intently, gauging my reaction.
I stiffened at the attention, self-conscious at being singled out. “It’s delicious. Thank you, sir.”
“Made it ourselves, June and I,” he said proudly. “Thought you might enjoy it.”
I finished off the drink and scanned the yard for Henry, suddenly a little light-headed. “Henry? Time to go, baby.”
He wasn’t on the swing. I glanced around the yard, my heart pounding when I didn’t immediately see him.
Shit, shit, shit…
“Henry!” I shouted, the world spinning, anxiety surging.
“Zellie?”
I ignored whoever spoke, turning in a panicked circle. “Henry, where are you?”
Someone gripped my shoulder and said my name, but I only dimly registered the information until that same someone grabbed my upper arms and gave me a little shake.
“Zellie.”
I blinked rapidly. Whit’s concerned face swam into focus. “Where’s Henry? He’s gone.”
Just then, Henry and Addie burst out of the house, June right behind them. Each child held a sippy cup and was happily drinking whatever was inside.
Relief washed over me. I broke away from Whit and rushed to Henry.
“Baby, you have to tell me where you are,” I told him, crouching down in front of him. “I was so worried!”
“I’m sorry, Zellie,” June said. “I should’ve checked with you. The children wanted their smoothie. I didn’t see the harm in giving them one.”
I looked up at her, not understanding. “What smoothie?”
She smiled down at Henry. “Honey, you and Addie go drink your smoothies at the table and rest for a minute.”
I stood slowly as Henry hurried off with his friend, then turned back to June. “What’s going on?”
June gave me a patient look that only served to piss me off. “Zellie, darlin’, don’t be so alarmed. The smoothies are perfectly safe—just fruit and yogurt and some vitamins and herbs to help them stay healthy. It’s all natural and perfectly fine.”
I shook my head. “How do you know?” I demanded. “You have no idea how what you’re giving him might interact with his medications.”
June waved away my concern as if it were inconsequential. “There’s nothing in there that could do harm. And he’s been healthier since he started drinking them, hasn’t he? Look at all the energy he has!”
“That’s not your decision to make,” I told her, struggling to keep my tone even.
June took my hand in both of hers and stepped closer, her expression softening. “Let’s face it, darlin’,” she said softly, “he has some catching up to do. After all, you haven’t been able to provide the most high-quality food for Henry, given your situation and all.”
