“What kind of fireworks are we talkin’ about here?” Sunny asked.
“We went over to Alden’s parents’.”
“I know that. And then what happened? Tell me you’re not just talking about sparklers.”
“There were sparklers,” Arianna said, then giggled.
“Oh, my gosh. Tell all.”
“He’s amazing and I’m in love.”
“I’m so happy for you!”
“He’s everything Wyatt never was—selfless and humble.”
“Then a perfect match for you.” Sunny raised her glass. “Here’s to perfect matches and happy endings.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Alden was amazing, her mother was beating back cancer. Did it get any better than that?
Unsummoned, a shiver washed over her. Had she tempted fate with that thought?
At that moment Mia came out on the patio, looking refreshed and rested. She’d accented her wig with a scarf and had put on lipstick and blush, which gave her extra color.
“You look great,” Sunny greeted her.
“I feel great,” said Mia.
“I hear you got good news from the doctor.”
“We did. It was very encouraging,” Mia said. She picked up a glass “I hope the reel we’re going to make involves swallowing.”
“That it does,” Arianna said and pulled out a chair for her.
She poured a drink for Mia while Sunny checked the light, got her angle figured out and her phone ready.
“Okay, let’s do this,” Sunny said.
Arianna smiled at all the people she knew would be watching. “Hello, everyone. Mom and I have some good news to share.” She turned to Mia. “Mom?”
“My doctor tells me that this nasty tumor is shrinking. And, actually, I knew it even before he told me. I could feel the improvement. I know I still have a ways to go, but when you’re battling something like cancer you celebrate every small victory.”
“Which is exactly what we’re doing with one of the special summer drinks I’ve come up with for you all to enjoy,” said Arianna. “My friend Sunny wants me to make these for our Christmas-in-July party, but I’m going to do something wintrier for that. Stay tuned. I’ll share. Meanwhile, here’s to you, Mom, to how brave you’ve been during all of this.”
“And here’s to you for how supportive you’ve been,” Mia said. She turned to face whoever would be watching. “Whatever you might be fighting, don’t fight alone. Find someone who will help you, someone who will have your back. I’m blessed that my daughter has mine and I’m looking forward to enjoying more treats as we get my health back.”
Arianna raised her glass to her invisible viewers. “Here’s to your good health.”
“To good health,” Mia repeated, and raised her glass as well.
Then they clinked glasses and drank.
Sunny caught Mia’s closed eyes and satisfied smile right before ending the reel. “That was the picture of bliss,” she said to Mia. “Good job, ladies. You did it in one take.”
“Yay us,” said Arianna.
“Yes, yay us,” said Mia, and Arianna knew she wasn’t simply talking about the video they’d shot.
They were comrades in arms, fighting hard against cancer. This victory was exactly what they’d both needed to strengthen their resolve. Arianna shoved away the earlier dark shadow that had passed over her. They would beat this.
