April considered this. “Others who have small businesses might need similar services. You’re so good at what you do. Many could use more marketing.”
“I’ve thought about being a marketing consultant.” The idea was appealing, if a little unreliable. “But I’m not an entrepreneur like Junie. She knows things I don’t about running a business.”
“Only because she’s done it before. We could both help you.”
“I’ll think about it.” She had to figure out her life.
April paused on the sand. “Are you and your sister still getting along?”
Maileah hesitated, watching the cool saltwater rush around her ankles. “We are, but with Knox around, I feel like I’m intruding on their private lives and conversations.”
“Does he spend much time there?”
“He comes over after Penny goes to sleep almost every night. He and Junie talk for a couple of hours, and then he leaves. I usually work or go for a walk.”
“I can understand how you feel. Do you want to come back to Nana’s house?”
Maileah shook her head. “Not that I don’t appreciate the offer, but I want my own space.”
Even though she had stayed with her mother and grandmother when she’d first arrived, now it would feel like she was going backward.
April took her hand. “You’re accustomed to your independence. So was I.”
Maileah realized her mother might feel the same way. “How do you handle living with Nana?”
“My mother is easy to be around, and I’m glad I can help her when needed. She’s been alone for a long time, so she’s more independent than I was. When Ryan isn’t busy, we spendtime at his home. That’s the advantage of dating someone who lives on Beach View Lane.”
Maileah wiggled her toes in the sand. “What if it doesn’t work out?”
“There are no guarantees in life, but we’re both old enough to handle problems.”
“What about Dad? Wasn’t he old enough?” As soon as Maileah spoke, she regretted her words. He was the dark cloud over her life—and her mother’s.
“Your father is in a different category than Ryan.” April touched Maileah’s shoulder. “He was never very prudent.”
This suspicion had haunted Maileah’s mind for a long time. “Meaning that he’d cheated before?”
April nodded. “I didn’t want to upset you girls.”
There was the confirmation, but Maileah was far from relieved. Only a little sadder for her mother. “That must have been hard on you, Mom.”
April swept a few strands of hair from Maileah’s face. “Back then, I didn’t know the extent of his actions. The first time, I did what I thought was right for our family and forgave him. I loved your father, and I believed he could change. He promised he would.”
“But he didn’t.”
“I thought he tried. However, when I would suspect something and confront him, he made me feel my suspicions were unfounded and that I had a problem. He was very good at gaslighting and turning the problem on me.”
Hearing that, Maileah’s heart broke a little more for her mother. “Dad can be convincing.”
“Except this last time was so blatant and pathetic,” April said. “His lies caught up with him.”
Maileah understood that now. “I’m sorry if I was only thinking of myself when you split up.”
“You always looked up to your father,” April said, catching Maileah’s hand as they walked. “I know how it feels when everything you thought was true you find out isn’t.”
Maileah put her arm around her mother. “If I haven’t told you before, I’m proud of you for standing up to him. Seeing you do that helped me, too.”
Smiling, April hugged her. “You’ll find your way, darling.”
