There she goes again. Ivy sighed. “Shelly and I will be living in Summer Beach for a while.” She’d planned to tell Misty in a different manner, but there it was.
“Wait, I’m confused,” Misty said. “Isn’t the house up for sale?”
“It hasn’t sold, so Shelly and I are fixing it up, and we’ll be renting out rooms. Starting when we return.”
Misty paused by her car. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this before, Mom?”
“Because I wanted to wait until I saw you.”
“Everyone’s leaving.” Misty’s expression drooped. “First Dad, and now you.”
“I’d hardly compare the two situations,” Ivy said, feeling a surge of guilt. She’d been in such survival mode that she hadn’t thought her daughters would miss her much, what with their full lives and goals and penchant for friends and travel.
“But when will I see you again?” Misty asked.
“We hardly saw each other when I was here.” After she’d sold the condominium, it was hard to catch up with either of them. Before that, at least they’d come by to do laundry—or drop it off, as Sunny did.
“I came over sometimes,” Misty said.
“Now you can come anytime you like for as long as you like,” Ivy said, touched that Misty would actually miss her. “We have plenty of rooms. And it’s on the beach. It’s so beautiful.”
“I could understand if Nana and Gramps needed you, but I saw on Facebook that they’re sailing around the world,” Misty said. “Are you sure they’re not too old to do that?”
Misty looked concerned as if the adults in her life had suddenly lost their minds.
“I assure you, they’re both in excellent health,” Ivy said. “Sixty-eight isn’t ancient. And they’re experienced sailors. It’s what they love to do. Like your acting and singing.”
“I guess so,” Misty said, allowing that. “It’s just that I was used to things the way they were.”
“Change is part of life,” Ivy reiterated. “Someday you might be on the stage in New York or London. Think of how your life will change then.”
Misty brightened. “Or on a movie set in LA.”
“Then she’d be nearby,” Shelly said, smiling at Ivy. “Misty, your mom and I really hope you’ll come to visit.”
“You have a ticket whenever you want,” Ivy said. “Plenty of room, too. We still have guest and maid’s quarters behind the house that we haven’t even started on yet.” She hugged her daughter. Even though miles might separate them, her girls were always in her heart. She had confidence that they could stand on their own. Even Sunny, who simply wasn’t sure she could yet.
On their way from the airport to Ivy’s room, they stopped for lunch at a cafe that had flung its doors open for the late spring sunshine. Sitting outside, they watched the college crew teams practicing on the Charles River.
After they placed their orders—seafood salads all around—Misty said, “Let’s call Sunny and give her all the news.”
The three women crowded around the screen on Misty’s phone.
Moments later, Sunny appeared on the screen. “Bonjour!” She was standing in front of an ornately carved stone water fountain with a group of young friends. “Oh, hi Mom. Hi Aunt Shelly. Didn’t expect you guys to be on the phone.”
“Hi sweetie.” Ivy squinted at the scene.” It looked like nighttime in Paris. She and Jeremy had visited his relatives there several times. She had to admit, somewhat begrudgingly, that their trips had been magical. “Where are you?”
“In the Marais having dinner. Can I call you guys tomorrow?”
Misty cut in. “Sunny, wait. I called to tell you that Mom and Aunt Shelly are moving to Summer Beach.”
Sunny looked crestfallen. “Why? I’m coming back soon.”
“You can crash on our couch,” Misty said. She had an apartment that she shared with a friend from college.
Ivy wished she could hug her younger daughter. Sunny’s expression tore at her heart, but Ivy had made the decision she knew she must. “I thought you were planning to leave Boston anyway.”
“Yeah, probably…” Sunny’s voice trailed off. “I just didn’t think you were going to run away from home after Dad died. Do you think that’s what Dad would have wanted?”
Shelly shot Ivy a sympathetic look.
Trembling with anger at her husband, Ivy started to say that Jeremy wouldn’t have cared where she lived. Someday she might share the truth with her daughters but now was not the time. They still thought the Summer Beach house was just an investment he’d made. Technically, that was true. Besides, her girls had a different relationship with their father than she had. Would they ever understand?
Instead of answering Sunny’s question, Ivy simply said, “I’m doing what’s best for me right now. By renting out rooms, I can pay the taxes and save the house from a forced tax sale. Once I manage that, then I’ll see.” One step at a time, she decided, though it would be challenging to deal with Sunny, who was the more sensitive and volatile of her two daughters.
“But what about all my stuff?” Sunny wailed.
“It’s in storage, and I’ll leave the key with Misty.” Ivy paused. “You can visit Summer Beach anytime, or stay if you want. We can always use an extra hand to help with guests.”
Sunny gave a dramatic sigh. “Whatever, Mom. I just don’t think you belong there, or should be washing other people’s dirty towels and sheets. What would Dad think?”
Misty shot her mother a look of apology for Sunny, then leaned toward the screen. “He’d be proud that Mom is doing so well without him. We should be, too.”
Ivy mouthed thank you to Misty.
Sunny was quiet for a moment, then she said, “Hey, I’ve got to go. We’re going out to a club. Aunt Shelly, Misty, I’ll see you soon,” she called out, blowing them a kiss as she hung up.
Shelly touched her hand. “She’s only thinking of herself right now, but she’ll be okay.”
Misty watched their exchange. “I’m sorry, Mom. I know this is tough on you.”
“The worst of it is over,” Ivy said, smoothing her hand over her
