Page 124 of The Me I Left Behind

“And Chloe!” Lia added. “My goodness. I saw your selfie project—your mom sent us a video—you are quite the artist!”

Chloe beamed, her eyes bright. “I know! I sparkle.”

They all laughed.

Lia made eye contact with Maggie. “But you, my dear, I’m most proud of. In fact, we all are.” She glanced at Alice and Julia. “I’ll not say a lot right now but just know that we see you. We’ve watched the struggle, and we see how far you have come. We are proud of you, Maggie Oliver.”

Maggie almost had to choke back tears.

“But enough of that. I have one more thing—a gift for all of you. You, Maggie, and the kids. I hope you will accept it.”

Maggie shook her head. “Oh, Lia. You do not need to do that.”

“Please come stay at the Gull Cottage for the summer. It’s booked next week but I’ve cleared it starting the middle of June through the end of August. It’s yours. Rent free. Our treat—Zach and me. For you and the kids. I figure everyone needs a getaway sometimes. Right?”

“Oh, Lia. We couldn’t.” Maggie glanced at Carol, who was looking at Logan, and then at Jason and Chloe. “Or could we?”

Jason furiously nodded. “That’s actually perfect timing, Mom. Our last day of school is next week. Right Chloe?” He elbowed her.

“Beach? Yes!”

But she figured Carol might be the sticking point. She met her gaze. “What do you think, honey? I know you would be away from Logan, and he has to work, so….”

Carol looked at Logan again. He nodded.

“Mom, Logan got laid off from his job. He and his mom had a talk this week about that. She wants him to get his GED this summer and then apply to ECU.”

Maggie grinned. “Well, that’s excellent news, Logan! Congrats on making that decision.”

The young man beamed. “Thank you, ma’am. I mean, Maggie. My mom hated when I dropped out of school, so she’s happy.”

Alice piped up. “There is an adult education program in Tuckaway Bay. You can work on your GED there. I know the person who runs it. But—” She glanced at Maggie. “I may be overstepping here.”

Logan stopped her. “I appreciate that, but I’ll stay here with my mom for the summer and take my classes in Rocky Mount. I don’t need much to get the certificate. But since I’m not working, I can drive to the beach on weekends, maybe?” He looked at Carol, then Maggie. “If I am invited?”

“Of course, Logan.” Maggie watched them both, Carol and Logan, as they gazed into each other’s eyes. She also glanced from Julia to Alice, and then Lia. “I hear the beach is excellent therapy.”

“Best ever,” Lia said.

“I can attest to that,” Julia added.

After a minute, she finally nodded. “Well, kids. Looks like we’re going to the beach.”

Jason jumped up. “Tuckaway Bay, here we come!”

Twenty-One

June, Tuckaway Bay Beach

An arrayof pinks drifted just above the horizon, teasing at the yellows flaring from the circumference of the sun, while lavender beams pushed through the haze and into the early morning light. The sun lifted gradually, painfully slow, and Maggie wished it would slow down even more.

She took a quick picture of the sunrise with her phone—but knew the colors wouldn’t be the same as looking at it with her raw vision. She loaded her brush with a bit more yellow and skillfully slid it along the surface of the canvas—blending the color with a little orange.

Standing back, she viewed her work from a short distance. It wasn’t bad, but not the best.Practice, Maggie. Keep at it. You’ll get better.

She stepped away, bringing her brushes and palette with her, then padded on bare feet across the porch and back into the cottage. After putting the palette in the freezer, she cleaned her brushes and set them aside to dry.

A good morning’s work. That made her happy.