Grandmother and granddaughter shimmied across the floor, before turning to kick in unison like Rockettes, their charm bracelets dancing along with them. Lolly was adorned in a platinum blond wig, while Lauren was sporting one of her grandmother’s red beehives. Both—both!—were wearing bikinis. Lauren was teaching her grandmother “the sprinkler” and how to twerk, while Lolly was showing Lauren how to lindy and twist. They were having a blast.
A twinge of jealousy rose in Arden’s throat. She loved that Lolly and Lauren were so close, but she wished she and her mother could connect so easily, like best friends. Her back stiffened, and the pain jolted her body, causing the wood step on which she had been perched to creak loudly.
“Morning, sunshine!” Lolly laughed, turning to her daughter while still shaking her rear as if it had been tossed into a blender. She pointed at Lauren’s iPad. “Pandora. I learned something new today!”
Arden shook her head. “Not only is it too early to be playing loud music and dancing, but, Mom, you need to rest. You shouldn’t be overdoing it.”
Arden’s criticism sliced through the music, and Lauren muted her iPad. Lolly reached for the robe she’d tossed over the side of an old rocker.
“Don’t you dare,” Lauren said, seeing her grandmother’s joy turn sour.
Arden’s eyes widened behind her glasses. “That’ll be enough, young lady.”
Bristling at Arden’s words, Lauren yanked off her wig and tossed it across the room at her mother. “Mom, if you want to sleep in, fine, but you don’t need to police us. Grandma and I got up to do a little yoga. I thought the stretching would be good for her. And then we decided to dance and have a little fun.”
Arden suddenly felt bad for putting a damper on things, but the doctor had been clear about Lolly taking it easy, and she didn’t want her mother to get hurt. She never wanted anyone—including herself—to get hurt anymore.
Arden knew Lolly wouldn’t say no to Lauren; someone had to step in to keep everyone safe.
“It’s six forty-five a.m. I’m exhausted.”
Then, looking at her mother, Arden added, “Lauren, I don’t want to talk about this right now.”
Lauren exploded. “Well, I do. I’m sick of sweeping every emotion under the rug. I’m sick of having my life dictated to me. I’ve hated my life for the last few years. I’m a business major … a business major. What am I doing with my life?”
Silence engulfed the cabin. Just beyond the screened porch, loons cried their mournful song, matching the mood inside.
Arden was now wide-awake. Although her daughter’s outburst seemed out of the blue, Arden realized—if she were honest with herself—that Lauren was deeply unhappy.
“I found the bills, Mom,” Lauren finally continued, her cheeks quivering. “All the letters from Dad. The divorce settlement. That’s why I switched to business. I … I just didn’t want to add any more stress to your life.”
Lolly looked at her daughter and granddaughter, pulling her robe tightly against her body.
Arden’s face froze. She tugged at her earlobe nervously.
“Oh, honey. I never imagined,” Arden gasped. “I’m so sorry. I have been totally oblivious to how you were feeling. None of that is your problem.”
Arden again felt like Alice, falling into the rabbit hole. Only this time the hole seemed even deeper. It was all becoming too much—being back home, her mother’s illness, Lauren’s unhappiness. Arden felt as if she were doing her best to manage everything and take care of everyone, but it still wasn’t good enough.
“It feels like it is my problem,” Lauren said. “The bills are all because of me.”
Lauren began to weep.
Lolly walked over and put her arm around her granddaughter, giving her a tender kiss on the cheek. Then she walked over and did the same to her daughter, before holding up her wrist and rotating through the charms on her bracelet, as if she were searching through an old Rolodex.
“Aaaah, here we go!” Lolly said, her face crinkling into a big smile. “My kite charm. My mother gave this to me…” Here, Lolly stopped and shut her eyes to hold back tears. “… before she passed away. This charm is to a life filled with high-flying fun. My mom gave it to me in order to always remind me that—no matter how difficult life can be—we must always remember to have fun.”
“It’s not that simple, Mom,” Arden said, the words coming out before she could stop them.
“Actually, it is, my dear. We will resolve the money issues somehow, I promise. You can’t eat an elephant in one bite. But, you must remember, unhappiness can consume you entirely, without you realizing. Happiness is a choice.”
Lolly tilted her head at her daughter, and gave her a knowing smile.
“Let’s have a little breakfast and then head to the beach. I don’t have to be at work until late this afternoon, so let’s enjoy the magic of this beautiful day,” Lolly added.
“Mom, I probably need to work. We’ve already been here four days, and I need to reach out to my boss. I need…”
“… to have some damn fun!” Lolly inserted. “I might have to stick to my routine, but you’re on vacation!”
“Mother!” Arden started to argue.
“You’re on vacation, my dear. Be! On! Vacation!”
Eleven