Lolly smiled broadly. “Of course,” she said, walking toward the river with Jake, the two looking like a modern version of Abbott and Costello. “First, you have to cup your hand … like this.”
Lauren laughed, as she led her mother over to the corner of the park, where they took a seat on a bench underneath the massive weeping willow.
For a few moments, the two watched boats—big and small—float by on the river, some heading out to the big lake for sunset, some heading back to the dock. Finally, Lauren broke the silence.
“I’m staying with Grandma, Mom.”
Arden shook her head, not comprehending what her daughter had just said. “What?” She shook her head again. “What did you just say?”
“I’ve decided to stay with Grandma. And I’ve been looking into attending Interlochen for the summer. It’s a great art school, Mom. It’s only a few miles away. I can help Grandma. I’ll work with her at Dolly’s. And she’s offered to help with tuition. It will help ease your financial burden, too.”
Arden’s heart raced. “Is this your grandmother’s idea?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Arden wished they had been attached to a rubber band, and she could just easily retract them, but it was too late.
“No, Mom, this was actually Lexie’s idea at first,” Lauren said, her eyes wide. “What this has all been about is healing. Grandma’s ‘influence’ has been good for us all. Aren’t you happier now than you were a few weeks ago?”
“Yes,” Arden said without hesitation.
“So am I. So is Grandma. She needs me, Mom. And I think I need her even more.”
“What about your internship this summer, Lauren? What about your future?”
“I never applied for one, Mom,” Lauren said sheepishly. “I just can’t imagine…”
Lauren began to cry softly. “I’ve just been so unhappy, Mom. And I’m happy with Grandma. I’m inspired here. An artist doesn’t need an internship. An artist needs inspiration and a safe place to create. I have found that here. My future is here for a little while. Let me find myself this summer. I need you to be okay with that.”
Arden looked out over the water, sighed, and then smiled and took her daughter’s hand. The two sat in silence and continued to watch the boats pass. As the sun lowered behind the dunes, a chill quickly settled over them.
“Lauren, I admire and love you so much. But do you understand how much care your grandmother will require? Do you understand that her bad days will eventually outweigh her good ones? That is a huge burden on anyone, but especially a young woman whose life is just beginning.”
“I know, Mom. I’ve talked extensively with her doctor about it.” Lauren hesitated, but continued. “I’ve even talked with Jake about it.”
“You have?” Arden asked, trying to hide her upset.
“Mom, he echoed the same concerns you did,” she said. “But he also said he’d be here to help. I know that eventually Grandma will need more care. And, ultimately, she will likely have to go into a place that can better address her needs. But, right now, what she needs is family. What I need is family. What we all need is family. I want to be here, Mom. I want to be with her.”
“You’re a good person, Lauren, but it’s such an obligation.”
Lauren smiled and looked her mother square on, her blue eyes unflinching. “It’s not an obligation to me, Mom. It’s a privilege. I want her to know—every single day—that it has been my privilege to be her granddaughter.”
Arden hugged her daughter. “I can’t stay, though. I have to go back to work. Van has been pressing me about coming back.”
“We all understand that. It’s not about guilt anymore, or running. It’s about being a family. Supporting one another. But remember, you need to find yourself, too. You need to write, Mom.”
Lauren held her mother by the shoulders. “You need to tell them you’re a writer, not an online editor. If they don’t let you write, find someplace that will. And you need to finish your book. Even if it’s never published, it’s important to who you are.”
“I have to make a living, honey.”
“You’re so driven and so talented, Mom. Think of what you could be, not what everyone else wants you to be. Right?”
Over Lauren’s shoulder, Arden could see her mother showing Jake how to cup his hand to wave like a princess.
“He’s a great guy, Mom. Make the long distance thing work, okay?” Lauren said, giving her mom a gentle shake, before finally noticing her changed appearance. “No glasses? Makeup? Tousled hair? You look amazing, Mom!”
The two hugged again, until Lolly’s voice shattered the moment. “Drinks on me! The old crow is taking everyone to the Old Crow!”
Lauren and Arden stood, and the foursome started toward the ancient outdoor bar that overlooked the lake.
“What exactly does royalty drink?” Lauren asked her grandmother, taking her hand in hers, their bracelets tingling.
Lolly smiled. “Anything she darn well wants, my dear, especially,” she said, stopping to curtsy and touch her tiara, “when a queen gets to be my age.”
epilogue
The Book Charm
To a Story That Will Never End