Tessa’s hands formed fists, the sand grains digging into her flesh as her hands pressed deeply into them.
“You can let me in, Tessa. I want to be there for you.”
Her eyes burned as they threatened to water. “I can't,” she spoke in a strained voice. “I don't want anyone else to feel... this.” She clutched at her chest, feeling it tighten. After taking a few calming breaths, she turned to her sister, staring at her with deep-seated concern.
“I'm not ready to talk about it,” she said.
Kerry's lips compressed, and her eyes now burned with unasked questions, but in the end, she turned her head and nodded. “I'm going for a dip. Wanna come?” she asked, rising to her feet.
“Not right now.” Tessa declined.
“Okay.” Kerry took a few steps toward the water but halted and turned to Tessa. “I'm here when you're ready to...”
Tessa smiled and nodded. She watched her sister walk out into the water before disappearing under the surface. Releasing a heavy sigh, she dropped her head to her knees.
“Mom?”
Tessa quickly raised her head and threw a glance behind her. “Hey, sweetie.” She smiled, welcoming her daughter.
Diane's lips turned up into a half smile of her own. “Can we talk?”
“Yes. Of course.” Tessa eagerly nodded.
“Could we maybe go for a walk?” Diane asked, looking behind her and back to her mother.
“Sure,” Tessa replied, rising to her feet. The two walked along the beach, picking at the driftwood that washed up on the shore.
A retriever ran past them, its shaggy golden mane bouncing as it did so. The dog suddenly stopped and ran toward them. Its tail swished back and forth while its tongue lolled to the side.
“Hey, buddy.” Diane leaned forward with her hand out in a friendly gesture. The animal walked up to her and began licking her hand, and a smile broke out on her lips.
Tessa watched her daughter smile at the dog as she used her free hand to ruffle its mane. She liked seeing Diane look so carefree. It was unfortunate that she never felt that warmth and freeness from her. Regret tightened her chest.
“Plunder!”
Tessa turned to see a woman running in their direction with a leash in her hand.
“I'm so sorry. He got away so fast I couldn't keep up,” the woman said, clutching her chest and breathing heavily. “He's usually well-behaved. I don't know what got into him today.” She gave the dog a stern look. He whimpered and hung his head as if he could tell that the woman was disappointed in him.
“Oh, it's fine. He wasn't a bother at all,” Diane assured the woman. “He's a really sweet dog,” she added, scratching behind his ear.
The woman smiled appreciatively, and Plunder gave a bark of approval that caused all three women to chuckle.
“I'm Maria. You've already met Plunder,” the woman gestured to the dog.
“I'm Diane, and this is my mom, Tessa,” Diane replied.
“You can just call me Tessa.” Tessa smiled politely.
The woman returned her smile. “It's a pleasure to meet you both. I have to go now. My kids are waiting for me. Teenagers. You know how they are.”
Tessa chuckled and nodded her head in understanding. The woman left shortly after, and Tessa turned to her daughter.
“So what did you want to talk to me about?”
“I was thinking about expanding the bistro, but I'll need access to the rest of the money Dad left me,” Diane responded immediately.
Tessa’s eyes widened in surprise at the request but shuttered soon after. She released a heavy sigh, her shoulders slouching. Finally, she lifted her head to look at her daughter, staring back at her expectantly.
