Creativity had always been at the core of her relationship with her mama. Some of her favorite memories were tied to times they had spent creating together. It had always felt like a safe, cozy little bubble for the two of them to share, and Lily loved it.
“Are you feeling good about today?”
Lily smirked. She had honestly expected this question sooner and was mildly impressed her mama had waited this long to ask.
“Yeah, I’m excited to see Wren,” Lily said, unsure how best to articulate the odd combination of excitement and unease that had been swirling inside her since their plane had landed in New York the previous afternoon. “I’ve really missed her… But I’m a little nervous too. Just, you know, since we haven’t been able to talk at all. It’s weird. But whatever.”
Her mama looked up at her, but thankfully didn’t push her for more.
A clattering drew their attention, pulling them each from the depths of their creative thinking as Sarah pushed open the heavy pocket doors separating the den from the rest of the house.
“How did I know I’d find both of you here drawing? Ready to go see Wren? Nate’s getting the car pulled around.”
Lily’s pulse picked up as she stood, setting her tablet on the coffee table, suddenly feeling nervous now that the moment that had felt so far away was here. It was time to finally see Wren.
A short drive later, Nate maneuvered the car down a crushed gravel path lined with tall trees with leaves just coming in as they approached Changing Tides, the rehab facility where Wren was staying.
Salt hung in the air, brushing against Lily’s skin with the warm breeze as she stepped out of the car, taking in the sprawling Cape Cod-style estate in front of her. Tilting her head, she studied the building further. It looked so…homey? Not the clinical, sterile environment she had pictured in her head when she thought of rehab. But she guessed that shouldn’t come as a shock to her, given the people and connections it had taken to get Wren a spot at this specific facility.
Wren was waiting for them, perched on the edge of one of the plush chaise lounges adorning the wide, inviting wraparound front porch. She jumped to her feet as the group climbed the front steps, nearly tripping before catching herself, her adorable lopsided smile stretching across her cheeks.
“Hi, sweetie.” Her mom excitedly pulled Wren into a hug as Lily lingered back for a moment, not quite ready to say hello.
Her mama took the next one, buying Lily another moment, but when their eyes finally met, all that nervousness melted away as Lily slid her arms around Wren’s waist, breathing in the fresh linen scent that lingered on her cream-colored crewneck.
“Looking good, superstar,” Lily whispered against Wren’s chest before pulling back and smiling up at her.
“Hi,” Wren whispered back. The bleached ends of her short hair had started to grow out, accentuating the contrast of her dark eyebrows, making her green eyes pop even more. Shelooked good, but also like she was holding something back. “So—uh—lunch is inside… I made everything for us. You can just—uh.” Wren gestured nervously, holding the front door open for everyone to file through.
Lily let the others pass before her, lingering long enough to slip her hand into Wren’s, giving her three reassuring squeezes, delighting in the way Wren’s entire face lit up.
The inside of the house continued to surprise Lily, meeting absolutely none of her expectations. Aside from a small receiving area with a security guard who scanned their belongings, the rest of the house was so normal.
Wren led them across a spacious living room with high ceilings and crisscrossing wooden beams, past the largest sectional couch Lily had ever seen, and through an open set of French doors, guiding them out into the backyard. There, under a pergola past the shimmering pool, sat a table set for the group next to a sprawling outdoor kitchen.
“I figured burgers would be a good option.” Wren grinned, opening the mini-fridge and pulling out a pack of grass-fed beef patties.
“Burgers sound great. How can we help?” Nell asked.
“You,” Nate laughed, “can help by not touching the food at all. Wren and I’ve got this. You ladies sit down and enjoy the poolside mocktails.”
Lily caught Wren’s eye, not sure if she should join her moms and Nell or stay with her and Nate in the kitchen, but Wren tilted her head towards the table, flashing her a smile that saidGo hang out, I’ll be there soon.
Soon came quickly as Wren set a platter of perfectly grilled patties in the middle of the table, accompanied by all the toppings someone could possibly want. Now that Lily thought about it, this was the first time she had ever actually seen Wrencook. They would either get takeout or reheat frozen meals, or just eat at one of her moms’ houses.
Wren slid into the empty seat next to Lily, her knee bouncing slightly. “Dig in.”
As they ate, Lily listened to Wren detail the ins and outs of her days here at the facility. She was still training—two sessions a day following a specific training plan to keep her in top shape and ready to return to play when she was done here—and then therapy (group and individual), as well as life skill development time (where Wren had opted to learn how to cook).
“Thank you again for, you know—uh—coming to see me. I mean, shit, it’s literally the other side of the country for you guys.” Wren gestured to Lily and her moms, clumsily fumbling over her words in a way Lily recognized as the precursor to Wren getting ready to share something deep or vulnerable.
“Family shows up for each other,” Sarah said, beaming at Wren.
“Yeah, right—uh, about that.” Wren straightened in her chair. “I just wanted to, you know, apologize for my behavior that night… You know, my birthday. I did not make the best choices, and I understand the strain and the toll it’s taken on all of you, and just—thank you for helping me land on my feet,” she finished, nervously reaching for her water glass.
Surprisingly, it was Nell who spoke next. “Like Sarah said, family shows up for each other.” She held her glass up, the others following suit. “To family having each other’s backs,” she said, the sound of clinking glassware echoing off the hard surfaces on the pool deck.
“To family,” Lily said in unison with everyone, her eye catching Wren’s once again.
