Page 108 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

Seeing them together, seemingly okay with each other, I shook my head. “Please, stay.”

Relief washed over Dana’s face.

My insides quivered as I sat upright. Robyn had returned to the couch with the bottle of water Katlynn had offered me earlier. “Why don’t you take a drink?”

I took the bottle from Robyn, and my hand shook as I brought it to my lips. I wondered if the others noticed.

Robyn sat on the couch beside me and put her hand on my leg. “Just take small sips.”

The cool water was refreshing, but I took Robyn’s advice, even though I wanted to chug it. After several swallows, I handed the bottle to Robyn and leaned back against the couch.

The others stood, towering over me, and my gaze ricocheted from one face to another.

Robyn must have seen the panic building in my eyes because she said, “Blake’s doing better. Why doesn’t everyone have a seat, so we can all relax a bit?”

Emma dropped onto the couch across the low table from me, and everyone else scrambled for a seat. I took Robyn’s hand, indicating I’d like her to sit next to me.

Something in her touch, having her so close, caused the waterworks to start again.

Damn it.Hadn’t I cried enough? I swiped at my tears, which only made them flow harder.

Annie slipped onto the sofa on the other side of me. “I know a few things about grief, Blake. Don’t hold it back. The more you let it out, the better.”

I gazed into her tear-filled eyes, and the dam burst.

The panic from earlier was gone. Now all I felt was intense pain. Robyn and Annie flanked me, offering comfort. As I sobbed, I picked up a smattering of the conversation as Emma explained to the others what had happened on stage.

Auntie Bess’s story was seared into my mind, so I didn’t need to hear all of Emma’s words. Auntie Bess wasn’t our aunt, nor was her name Bess. Our mom met Auntie Bess in their freshman year at college. They had a hard-ass philosophy instructor, and half the class was failing. Several students formed a study group. The first session when they’d gone around the circle introducing themselves, Mom thought she’d said Bess. It had taken two months before Mom discovered her name was Beth, but by then, the name had stuck, and they’d become best friends.

They remained best friends. Auntie Bess had been the maid of honor at my parents’ wedding and been at Mom’s bedside for Emma's and my birth. When our dad ran off with his secretary, Auntie Bess was there to help. She moved in with us a few months later, and since there wasn’t a spare room, she shared Mom’s bedroom. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized what it meant.

Then, when I was thirteen, Auntie Bess got lung cancer. She died less than a year after being diagnosed. Our mom and our family were never the same.

I was uncertain how long I lay with my head on Robyn’s shoulder and my eyes closed, while I listened to everyone talking. Eventually, my tears slowed, and my chest didn’t hurt as much. I felt wrung out, but I couldn’t lie here forever, so I sat up. Robyn smiled at me and patted my leg. I returned her smile before I glanced around the room.

Emma sat on the couch across from me. She was pale, and her eyes were haunted. I wondered if I looked as bad as she did.

“Come here,” I said to her.

Emma scanned the room, as if trying to determine who I was talking to, figuring it couldn’t be her.

“I’m talking to you, Em.” I held out my hand. “Come sit with me.”

Robyn leaped up from beside me and went to Emma. She held out her hand, and Emma took it. Robyn must have been as worried as me about whether Emma’s legs would hold her. Emma tottered to the couch and sat next to me, while Robyn took Emma’s seat. Emma cowered against the couch’s arm, staying as far from me as possible.

“Get over here.” I opened my arms.

Tentatively, Emma slid toward me. As soon as she was within reach, I grabbed her and pulled her against me.

“I love you, Emma. More than anything in the world. I’m sorry I made you feel so bad all this time.”

“No! I never intended for it to come out this way. I’m sorry.” Tears welled in Emma’s eyes. As bloodshot as they were, I doubted she had many more to shed.

“No apology needed.”

“I didn’t want this to happen.” She turned in my arms and met my gaze. “Is it selfish that I just wanted my sister back?”

I shook my head. “I want me back, too. If it takes what happened to get there, then it’s worth it.” I glanced at Robyn. “Thanks for giving us this opportunity.”