I’m surprised mom isn’t calling in a panic because her daughters are stranded in Italy. Using a series of eyestrain and head tilts, I ask Leah if Mom knows what happened yesterday. She gives me a slight shake “No” and goes back to talking to the screen.
“We’re good. In fact, we’re having the time of our lives. We went on a boat tour yesterday and today we spent some time by the water getting some sun.” Leah continues to go on and on about the hotel we’re staying in and the gorgeous pool she sat by today. I have to give the girl credit, she doesn’t lie once.
Bend the truth? Sure.
Lie? Absolutely not.
Mom and Leah have a lively conversation. Every once in a while, Leah gets carried away in her conversation, and Mom makes comments like, “You’re so fresh” and “Behave.”
The two of them have a comfortable relationship. They can get silly with each other. Actually, that’s just Leah. It’s in her nature to draw you in and make you feel as comfortable as possible.
“How’s Emma? Is she there with you?” Mom asks.
I shake my head dramatically but Leah’s flashes a huge smile and says, “She’s right here.”
I pinch my lips together, scowling at Leah but my face quickly turns into a polite smile when the screen is turned in my direction.
Mom is sitting there wearing a T-shirt with an orange calico cat on it that says, “Every life should have 9 cats.” It’s early in Ohio so she must be getting ready to go out in the garden.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, baby. How are you feeling?” she asks, her voice turning down an octave from when she was talking to Leah.
I run my nails along my neck and scratch down the sides. “I’m good. Just as Leah said, having a great time.”
Mom moves closer to the screen as if she can see me better if she rests her retinas against the glass. “Leah said you went out to a club. Did you have fun?”
“I did.”
“You’re getting out and seeing the sites?”
“We are.”
“Are you eating?” Her eyes skim my face.
“I am.” Leah’s staring at me from the other side of the screen. She doesn’t understand how I can answer in two-word answers. She is the world’s biggest chatterbox.
“Is it beautiful?” Mom asks and I find myself smiling out of natural instinct. Capri is the most magnificent place. We’ve only been here for three days yet I can commit to memory every sparkle of the sun on the copper landscape and every crash of a wave against the granite rock. It is as if I were meant to be here. I just feels right.
“More so than I’ll ever be able to describe.”
Mom’s eyes crinkle as her cheeks rise up. “That’s good to hear, baby.” She shifts in her seat and then leans forward again. “I’m glad you’re together. It’s your brother’s birthday soon. He’d be so happy you two are in such a beautiful place.” Mom’s eyes tear up at the mention of Luke and I have to turn my head to the side and take in a deep breath.
Luke.
We don’t talk about Luke. At least, I don’t. What is there to say? If it wasn’t for me and my stupid relationship and my stupid desire to get out then he would still be here.
I can’t stand to see the sadness in my mom’s eyes, nor can I handle her seeing me break down. I turn the iPad away from me and point it back toward Leah whose mouth is wide open. Her face is giving me a what-the-fuck expression.
Rising from the bed, I leave Leah to talk to my mom while I head out of the room. I open the sliding door, step out on the portico and walk through it to the grassy area looking over the Marina Grande.
The sun is still out but the sky is taking an orange-ish color, as the sun is in the early stages of its decent. Plopping down on the grass, I pull my legs in to my chest and rest my chin on my knees.