Page 37 of Between the Lines

When she stepped back onto the porch, coffee in hand, the sky had brightened another shade.

And Sophie was crying.

She sat there with her head bowed, shoulders hunched, tears slipping down her face as she stared at her hands. She made a quick, embarrassed motion to wipe them away when she noticed Essie.

Essie didn’t comment on it. She crossed the porch and set the mug down within Sophie’s reach, then went back to her chair.

Sophie sniffed and her voice caught when she spoke. “I don’t even know why I’m crying.”

“That’s all right,” Essie said. “You don’t have to have a reason. Sometimes it’s a way of getting something out.”

Sophie gave a small, disbelieving shake of her head, then picked up the mug. Her hands trembled slightly. She took a careful sip, eyes still down.

They sat in silence again, the sound of the waves filling the emptiness. Sophie’s crying eased, though tears slipped free now and then. Essie stayed where she was, almost afraid to move.

After a while, Sophie said quietly, “I don’t know how to fix any of this.”

Essie looked out at the water. “You don’t have to fix everything at once,” she said. “And you don’t have to do it all by yourself.”

Sophie nodded, gripping the mug like it was the only thing keeping her in her chair.

Essie took another sip of her cooling coffee and set the mug down. “I want you to know something,” she said. She kept her eyes on the water so it wouldn’t feel like pressure, but even speaking the words made her a little nervous. But she couldn’t stay quiet any longer. “I’m not your enemy, Sophie. I never have been.”

Sophie’s mouth tightened, then softened. She nodded once, a small, almost automatic motion, like she already understood that.

“I know,” she said quietly. “I think I’ve always known that. It just… Nothing makes this any easier.”

“I know it’s hard,” Essie said. “And I know you still miss your mother.”

“Yeah.” The word was so quiet, Essie almost hadn’t caught it. Another little nod and Sophie shut down again, focused on her coffee.

After a bit, Essie took another chance. “Liliana and I and the kids are going to the pool later. Nothing fancy. Just floating around, letting Mattie wear himself out. I reserved a cabana.” She paused. “You’re welcome to come with us, if you want.”

Sophie’s first reaction was immediate. “I don’t think so.”

Essie nodded, accepting it without comment. That was exactly the answer she’d been expecting, but at least she’d tried.

Sophie stared out at the water again, holding her cup but not drinking. “Maybe,” she said, not looking at Essie. “Maybe I could stop by. For a little while.”

Essie felt hope in her chest, but she didn’t let it show. “That would be nice,” she said. “No expectations. You can come whenever you want, but we’ll probably do lunch there. You’re welcome to stay for that, too.”

Sophie nodded again, a bit more firmly this time. “Okay.”

The sun crested higher, warming the porch. Inside, Essie could hear faint sounds. Someone was up. Probably Liliana. The quiet was gone, but that was all right.

For the first time since Sophie had arrived, Essie allowed herself to think that this might be a start toward something good.

And she couldn’t help but believe that Sophie needed something good more than anything in the world.

Chapter Fifteen

Maude had been awake for an hour before she realized she’d never finished her coffee.

The mug sat cold on the desk beside her laptop, pushed far enough away to make room for the legal pad she’d pulled closer. Robbie was already gone, out the door early with his lunch packed and his mind on a new accent table.

The house had settled into a lovely quiet. She’d done some quick sun salutations, had a wonderfully hot shower, then made coffee and gotten to work.

This was when Maude did her best thinking.