A shrink could probably figure out the “why’s” of all those things—a late-in-life baby who’d become like an only child at twelve years old to a single mother. Crista was most definitely a product of an unconventional and sometimes sad upbringing.
She was the most like Maggie, too, despite her dark coloring that favored the Lawson side of the family. In some ways, she was the smartest of the three of them, with grades that put Eli and Vivien’s to shame.
But then, she was far more studious and never missed a class or assignment in her life, and getting the top grade in school mattered so much to her.
Now, in life, being perceived as “perfect” was still important to Crista, something that was evident to Vivien when she’d helped decorate Crista and Anthony’s house. Everything in order, everything just so. It was a difficult way to live.
Vivien cleared her throat softly.
“Oh.” Crista whipped around, surreptitiously swiping under her eyes.
Poor thing. Nothing about this situation was…perfect.
With a lifetime of being the middle-child peacemaker spurring her on, Vivien slowed her step, gauging the situation.
“Can I interrupt your alone time? I come bearing coffee—one sugar, one and a half tablespoons of heavy cream, one ice cube.”
Crista’s shoulders moved in a laugh. “Impressive, Viv. You are granted permission to enter my bubble.”
Vivien handed her the cup and lowered herself carefully to the top step, balancing her own coffee. “What’s happening in this bubble?” she asked.
“I was just admiring the colors of Destin, actually. I think whoever invented ‘seafoam green’ must have been to Destin. And the sand? It literally looks like sugar. They’re still my favorite colors and, honestly, no other beach I’ve ever seen quite captures them.”
“Totally agree. I’ve tried to incorporate that palette in the décor.” Vivien took a sip, settling in next to her sister. “I had a panic attack thinking you’d left.”
Crista shot her a look. “Do you get them?”
“Panic attacks?” She frowned. “Not really.”
“Well, I’ve had a few. Not fun.”
“Oh, girl.” Vivien draped an arm over Crista’s shoulders, noticing how thin they felt. “I wish you’d listen to your older siblings and stay here for a while. If nothing else, Jonah’s cooking will fatten you up.”
She smiled. “Jonah. Now there’s someone I hadn’t expected to see here.”
“None of us did. He’s got some issues and Eli’s helping him out.”
“He’s always had issues,” she said, setting the untouched coffee to the side. “Ever since Melissa died and he…changed.”
Vivien nodded, remembering the confident, athletic superstar Eli’s son had been at fifteen. He’d been utterly destroyed by the loss of his mother, a TV news personality who was killed in a private plane crash.
The entire family had been gutted, but no one worse than that teenage boy, who was now nearly thirty and still fighting the demons of his loss.
“Well, get this.” Vivien leaned into her. “He’s got a girlfriend named Carly in California…and she’s eight months pregnant.”
Crista gasped. “Seriously? Does Mama know?”
“Why is Maggie your first thought?” Vivien asked, not able to hold back the question. She braced for blowback from Crista.
But she just shrugged and turned toward the water. “I wish she wasn’t,” she admitted. “Sometimes I’m suffocated by her.”
Sometimes? But Vivien tamped down the thought and brushed some sand off the wood planks.
“No, Maggie doesn’t know she’s going to be a great-grandmother.”
Crista smiled. “She’ll flip. She’s tough on us, but she’s always had a soft spot for her grands. I can only imagine her with a ‘great-grand.’ And Jonah? How’s he feeling about being a father?”
“Terrified, I’d imagine. His girlfriend has sort of booted him with a demand he get his life together. He’s trying to get into a local culinary arts program, since it turns out he’s a whiz in the kitchen. Which beats being the drifter he’s been for most of his twenties.”
