“Cool. We’ll join you. We haven’t done that in a while.”
Soon the four women with their own spoons and two tubs of ice cream headed for the den. Andrea turned on the DVD player and popped in the disk before settling among the cushions they’d strew out on the carpet with the others.
As the first episode of ‘I love Lucy’ came on, so did a smile of contentment on Rory’s face as she viewed the women who all formed an integral part of her life in some way or the other. She had to admit, she loved their commitment and the love that they showed her. She only wished they’d had this opportunity much earlier. She’d visited her aunts a bunch of times back in their old lives, but it never felt like this. Here is Oak Harbor, she’d felt more connected to them like they were a true family.
“I know this won’t end well.”
Rory looked over at her aunt Jo, who’d just spoken as they watched the title character and her friend working at a chocolate factory hiding chocolate in their hats and blouses and even packing their mouths because they couldn’t wrap them fast enough to prevent them from reaching the packing room unwrapped.
“It wouldn’t be an ‘I love Lucy’ episode if something didn’t go unnaturally wrong,” Cora agreed with a snort.
They all burst into laughter when the conveyer doubled, and the character’s antics became even more hilarious. Rory doubled over, holding her tummy as she heaved. She’d seen this episode before, but she had to admit that the more she saw it, the funnier it got.
“Lucille Ball is a national treasure,” Andrea declared between laughs.
“Yup. There will never be another actress so naturally funny,” Jo agreed.
The women settled down to continue watching the episode, chuckling at intervals, and scooping spoonful’s of ice cream into their mouths.
“I think it’s time to call it a night,” Cora said, rising to her feet and stretching.
“Or day,” Jo replied, jutting her chin toward the grandfather clock in the corner reading 2:30 am. “Are you guys going back to bed?” she directed at Andrea and Rory.
“In a minute,” Andrea responded.
“All right, see you guys in the morning…I mean later in the day.”
“Goodnight,” Rory and Andrea said in unison.
Rory turned to her mother with a wide grin. “I really enjoyed this,” she revealed.
“Me too, sweetie,” Andrea responded. “You know, everything will work out,” she continued to say, squeezing her daughter’s arm warmly. “No matter what, I’ll always be here for you.”
“I know,” Rory agreed.
“All right, it’s time for this old woman to get some shut-eye.”
“Hey, you’re not old. You’re too cool for that,” Rory defended.
Andrea laughed, the sound filling her daughter’s chest with warmth.
After repositioning the cushions in the chairs, the two ascended the stairs to get to their rooms.
Rory crossed the room to sit on her bed. She reached for the phone on the bedside table and flipped through her missed calls and messages. Her smile slowly fell when she realized James hadn’t called as he had promised.
ChapterSixteen
Andrea's eyes slowly fluttered open, but they felt like some weight was on them, forcing them back down, but as soon as they shut, the blaring sound of her alarm forced them back up, reminding her why she'd chosen to wake up in the first place. She rolled over unto her belly and stretched her arm across to reach the source of her annoyance.She tapped the device until it ceased to make a sound.
After a few minutes of contemplating whether or not she should get up or snuggle down in her warm, cozy bed, she released an exaggerated sigh before propping herself up on her elbows until she was sitting in the middle of the bed. Today was her day to make mom's breakfast before heading to the inn to help out. After another release of breath, she scooted to the edge of the bed and swung her legs over and stood up and headed for the bathroom.
Andrea sighed with relief as the warm water splashed over her cold, achy muscles. "Thank God for hot water," she thought. Ten minutes later, she was drawing on a pair of blue jeans and a white T-shirt with the Statue of Liberty in the front and the Empire State building on the back.
Just as she slipped on her sandals, her cell phone rang.She reached down to pick it up. A giddy smile swept across her face at the name displayed.
"Hey, you," she greeted, sitting down on the bed.
"Hi. How'd you sleep?"
