“I hope everyone’s hungry,” Reva said, a smile tugging at her lips as she brought out a tray laden with appetizers. “I’ve got goat cheese-stuffed mushrooms, bacon-wrapped dates, and my famous spinach artichoke dip, fresh out of the oven.” She grinned. “And before anyone asks, no I did not make them. Verna picked them up in Jackson when she ran a business errand for me.”
Despite Reva’s obvious intellect, her cooking skills were lacking. She’d been known to dig through the trash to reread the box instructions for mac ’n cheese.
The aroma of roasted garlic filled the cabin, mingling with the sweet, smoky scent of the bacon. Reva’s spread was always a highlight of their gatherings, and despite herself, Capri felt her mood lift a fraction.
Reva set the tray on the coffee table, then turned back to retrieve a pitcher of something that looked bright and citrusy. “For cocktails tonight, I’ve made a grapefruit and rosemary gin fizz. Something light and refreshing.”
She poured the pale pink liquid into glasses, garnishing each with a sprig of rosemary and a twist of grapefruit peel. The drinks looked as good as they always did, vibrant and tempting.
“Except for me,” Reva added, setting down her own drink—a tall glass filled with sparkling water, a splash of what was likely pomegranate juice, and a few fresh mint leaves. “You all know I’m sticking to the good stuff.”
Capri reached for her glass, forcing a grin as she clinked it against Lila’s. “Here’s to moving on,” she said, downplaying the tightness in her chest with a sip of the tart, herbaceous gin fizz. The others echoed her toast, but Capri’s mind was already elsewhere, pushing away the thoughts of her stepfather and the lingering sadness she refused to let take hold.
The four women settled into their usual rhythm, chattering about everything from the latest town gossip to the upcoming Fourth of July celebration. Lila recounted a particularly amusing story about a runaway pig that had caused chaos at the farmer’s market, and for a moment, the room was filled with laughter, the easy camaraderie they’d always shared.
“Love the new couch,” Lila noted, running her hands across the soft leather surface. “Brave color choice for a mom with a toddler.”
Reva grinned. “Yeah, I’m learning that the hard way. Let’s just say I’ve become an expert in cleaning up juice spills and crayon masterpieces.” She turned to Charlie Grace. “Speaking of messes—I heard your barn flooded in last week’s downpour. Boy, that was quite the storm.”
Charlie Grace nodded. “Thankfully, Gibbs showed up for once. He helped evacuate the animals and borrowed a sump pump from some guy he knew in Jackson. Had the water out in less than twenty-four hours. A bed of fresh straw did the rest.”
Lila reached for one of the bacon-wrapped dates. “We had several people report the same. Thankfully, no animal issues. Just messes to clean up.”
There was a brief silence before Charlie Grace exchanged glances with the others. She leaned back in her chair, hesitating for just a second before she spoke. “Capri, about the funeral…”
The lightness in the room evaporated instantly. Capri’s smile faltered, and her fingers tightened around her glass. “I don’t want to talk about it,” she said, her voice firm.
“Capri, we’re worried about you,” Reva interjected softly, her eyes full of concern.
“I said I’m fine,” Capri replied, her tone sharp enough to cut through the lingering tension. “It was just a moment, that’s all. I’m over it.”
“But you’re not, and that’s okay,” Lila said gently, leaning forward. “We’re here for you, you know that, right? You don’t have to go through this alone.”
Capri set her drink down with a little too much force. “I didn’t come here to be analyzed. Can’t we just enjoy the evening?”
“We are enjoying it,” Charlie Grace said, her voice steady but filled with love. “But we care about you too much to just ignore what happened. You scared us, Capri.”
Capri’s gaze flicked to each of her friends in turn, seeing the worry etched on their faces. “I’m not weak,” she muttered, more to herself than to them.
“Of course you’re not,” Reva said, her tone firm yet reassuring. “But even the strongest people need help sometimes.”
Capri’s defenses wavered for a moment, but she quickly rebuilt the walls around her heart. “I don’t need to be coddled,” she said, her declaration thick with emotion. “Not about this. We knew Dick had cancer and didn’t have much time. It wasn’t like this was a surprise.”
“We’re not coddling you,” Lila assured her. “We’re just…being your friends. Let us in, Capri.”
The room was heavy with the weight of their unspoken worries. Capri swallowed hard, fighting back the tears that threatened to surface. “I just…I just want to forget that incident at the church ever happened.”
Charlie Grace reached out and gently took Capri’s hand. “We get it. But burying it isn’t the answer. Let us help you carry it, even if just a little.”
Capri sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. “I don’t know if I can.”
“You don’t have to know,” Reva said softly. “We’re not going anywhere.”
The words hung in the air, a promise of unwavering support, and Capri found herself nodding, even as she struggled to keep her emotions in check.
The tension slowly eased as they sat in silence, the warmth of their friendship wrapping around Capri like a soft, comforting blanket. She wasn’t ready to dive into the depths of her pain, but maybe—just maybe—she didn’t have to face it alone. With a deep breath, she squeezed Charlie Grace’s hand and offered a small, tentative smile.
“Okay,” she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with a glimmer of acceptance.
