“Notjust,” Martin said. “I had a teacher when I was six. Her name was Miss Riley. I never forgot her or the books she used to read to our class. One of them was about a firetruck, and let’s just say, my life path was set.”
April breathed in, as if grasping on to Martin’s every word. “Thank you.”
Tanner saw her eyes glistening with unshed tears, but she blinked them back quickly. “We’ll see you in there,” Tanner said to Martin. They exchanged chin lifts and Martin walked toward the gate.
“Your friends are amazing,” April said. “Martin was so sweet.”
Tanner shrugged. “They have their moments.”
April laughed and reached for his hand. “I’m ready to meet the rest of your friends. Though I have to admit, they sound more like heroes than mere humans.”
Tanner bit his tongue, wishing he could divulge just how right she was.
***
Two hours later, April was sitting on Garrett’s outdoor sofa, squished between Hallie and Orly, with Reese sitting across from them, and Skyla sitting on a cushion on the floor, her back leaning against the railing. She watched as the guys attempted to fish from Garrett’s dock even though Caden kept diving into thewater and scaring all the fish. She laughed and Skyla turned to see what she was reacting to.
“They’re such big babies.” Skyla’s mood had significantly improved since they’d first met. April had no doubt that being surrounded by her closest friends and eating some delicious steaks likely helped a lot.
“I think that’s why Caden is so against us getting a dog. He just doesn’t like the idea of being responsible for someone or something else,” Hallie said.
Orly laughed. “Please. I don’t think I could bring a goldfish into our house without Luke worrying about its safety, and where it’s going to live, and how it’s going to fare.”
“I don’t think they’re afraid,” Reese interjected softly. “I think they know the risk of loving someone or something, and they just don’t want anything to happen to it.”
April looked at Reese, who’d been all fun and jokes most of the day. “That’s deep,” April finally said. “But if you spend your whole life afraid to love, you’ll end up alone.”
“No, they won’t,” Skyla said. “Those guys love so much; it practically oozes off of them. They’re just careful who and what they let into their heart. Because as big as it is, it breaks that much easier.” The tone of sadness in her words wasn’t missed by anyone.
Hallie stood and plopped down next to Skyla. Hallie wore a tank top and khaki shorts, revealing faded scars marking Hallie’s arms and legs. The woman had obviously gone through something painful in her past, and while April wondered what or who could’ve hurt her like that, April didn’t want to pry.
Hallie wrapped an arm around Skyla and the women leaned on each other for support. “I know Blake is having a hard time with everything,” Skyla said with a sigh. “I just don’t know how to help him.”
“It’ll take time,” Orly said. “I mean, I’m not an expert, but the kind of loss you two went through, doesn’t just go away overnight.”
“I know, and I’m going through it, too. I just - I miss us. I miss who we were before. I’m not saying - I don’t know what I’m saying.” Skyla looked down at her feet and shoved her long dark hair with purple lowlights out of her face. “I just miss him.”
“He’ll come around,” Hallie said. “I know it’s not the same, but when Caden’s brother died, it took him years to figure his life out without him. There are still days when he’s sad, and I just have to let him be in that space. It’s all part of grieving.”
Skyla met Hallie’s gaze. “Thanks.”
“My sister was killed in a car accident three years ago,” April offered, surprising even herself that she was opening up to these women that she’d just met a couple of hours ago. “We had different moms, so I didn’t even meet her until I was in middle school, but still - losing her felt like my whole world was turned upside down.”
“What did you do?” Skyla asked.
And that was why April didn’t like to share about her sister. Because what happened after her death is how April ended up in her predicament. She wasn’t complaining, and she wouldn’t trade her time with Violet for the world. But if she could go back, she’d like to think that she would’ve done things differently. “I got hooked on drugs,” April finally admitted, softly. “It was pretty bad for a while.”
“Dang,” Orly said. “I’m so sorry.”
“How did you quit?” Hallie asked.
April sighed. “Cold turkey, believe it or not. My sister had a daughter, and even though I was living in my own hell, I found out she needed me more than I needed the drugs. I ended up going to a thirty-day rehab facility, and never looked back.”
“That’s dedication,” Reese said. “How old is your niece?”
“Six,” April said, knowing she was likely giving away something she’d been holding onto for dear life, mostly out of fear.
“Is that your homeschool student?” Hallie asked.