Riley couldn’t face any of them right now. She was the one who was hurt, but they were making her feel like the bad guy.
“We saw Tracey at church yesterday,” Myrtle said. “We know she’s a part of what happened between you and Erma.”
Riley glanced away. “I’m not gonna talk about her.” For some unknown reason she again slipped into the Southern accent she’dtried so hard to get rid of when she moved east.
“That’s good, because we’re not discussing her either. She’s done enough damage to you and Erma over the years.” Gwen’s wordswere strong, but her tone held compassion. “And I’m sorry about that.”
“Me too,” the BBs all said in unison.
“It doesn’t matter,” Riley said. “The past is the past.”
“If that’s the case, then why aren’t you leaving it there?”
Riley glowered at Peg, who had removed her bright-red-framed glasses. Riley could see tears in her eyes too.
“Why are you punishing your grandmother?” Bea moaned.
“Whatever happened, it wasn’t her fault,” Viola mumbled. “I’m sure Tracey boxed her into it. She’s always made trouble forErma, even though Erma always tried her best.”
“Shh,” the BBs chastised.
“Right. No Tracey talk.”
The ever-present shame Riley tried to keep at a distance her entire life was filling her once again. Suddenly she burst intosobs—deep, soul-crushing sobs, as every bit of her inner strength left her.
“Oh, honey.” Bea got up and put her arms around Riley, who in turn wrapped her arms around Bea’s thick waist. “It’s all gonnabe okay.”
Riley barely heard her as she cried oceans of tears that had been trapped inside far too long. Painful memories surfaced,things she had witnessed in childhood and never told anyone. The horrible things Tracey would say to her when she was drunkor high. The times she wondered if she’d ever eat again. The prayers she’d said over and over that Mimi, or anyone, wouldtake her away from her mother forever—and the guilt she felt every time she’d uttered that prayer.
Soon all the BBs were crowding around her. One stroked her hair. Another patted her back. Yet another grasped the fingersof one of her hands on the back of Bea’s waist. Myrtle cooed that they were there for her and Mimi, that they wouldn’t letTracey hurt them again. The love she had craved for so long from her mother, but never received, was being poured into herby these lively Southern ladies, and Riley suddenly realized that they were her family too. She saw her own buddies, all threeof them, standing behind Erma’s friends, nodding in agreement.
When she didn’t have a tear left to shed, she lifted her head. “Can I have a tissue?”
“Of course, honey.” Peg snatched a napkin off the table. “Use this.”
Riley blew her nose as they all returned to their seats. She knew she needed to apologize, but all she could say was, “Thankyou.”
“Anytime, Riley.” Bea smiled, her double chin quaking. “We’re here for you.”
“And Erma,” Madge added.
“We’re here for both of you,” Harper said. “You need to remember that.”
She looked at each of the women as she gripped the napkin, now damp from her tears. “I’m sorry,” she said. “All of you areright.” Then she realized the full extent of what she’d done to her grandmother and wanted to crawl into a hole. “I hurt Mimi,and I shouldn’t have.”
They all nodded, and then Myrtle said, “You know what you need to do, then.”
“Yes.” Riley said, starting to get up from the table. “I have to talk to her.”
“You should have a bite to eat first,” Bea said.
“Bea!” all the Bosom Buddies said in unison.
Riley held Bea’s hand. “Thank you, but this can’t wait.”
“I’ll drive you over,” Myrtle said, rising from her chair.
“I’ll drive her,” Harper said.
“We’ll go with you.” Anita grabbed her purse off the one vacant space on Bea’s counter and put the short double strap on herarm. Olivia also stood.
Riley nodded, overwhelmed with emotions she’d never felt before, but that her soul desperately needed.
“I’ll get my stuff.” Before she left the kitchen, she paused, looking at each woman in front of her, old and young. “I loveyou all,” she said, her voice thick.
They all smiled. “We love you too.”
* * *
Although she was defying her doctor’s orders by not resting and elevating her leg, Erma continued pacing back and forth inthe living room. She hadn’t slept a wink last night, and even though she knew Riley was safe and well taken care of at Bea’s,it didn’t ease her mind. Despite Riley’s upbringing and her habit of separating herself from others to keep from getting hurt,she had never been rebellious. In fact, Erma had never had a bit of trouble from her, other than the typical teenage poutingand moodiness, a welcome respite from the difficulties she and Gus experienced raising Tracey. She’d hoped Riley would findher place in Maple Falls, but she couldn’t blame her that she hadn’t. Some obstacles were too difficult to overcome, and shehad to acknowledge that she was a part of them. If she had been honest with Riley to begin with, they might not be in thissituation now.
Erma pressed her hand to her heart. Her ticker was fine, but the pain she felt in her chest was almost too much to bear. Rileyhad the right to be angry, considering what Tracey had put her through, and Erma only knew about a few things. She was sureher granddaughter had witnessed and endured many awful things that she hadn’t said a word about, not even to the counselorErma had taken her to when she first started living with her. When Riley turned fourteen and said she didn’t want to see thecounselor, Erma had acquiesced. Over the years she questioned that decision, along with so many others.
Her leg was on the verge of giving out and she finally sat down. Her thoughts raced. Would she ever see Riley again? Had shecommitted an unpardonable sin? Perhaps she had. But she couldn’t change that now, just as she couldn’t change Tracey. Rileywas an adult. Erma had to respect her decision, and part of that respect was
