Horrified, Bella swore.
Mia took advantage of the moment to drive home her point. “You know what I learned?”
“Don’t marry a fisherman?” Bella guessed.
“That, too. But the big lesson I learned is that life can be short and bad things can happen.”
“That was bad,” Bella conceded.
“There’ve been other bad things, too, but I’ll stop with this one. It’s important to appreciate the people God puts in our lives because they might not be there for long.”
Bella was having none of it. She set her jaw and her eyes narrowed. “What if you don’t like the people God put in your life?”
Mia shrugged. “Then maybe you need to stop and ask yourself why that is.” She turned to Arianna. “I’m feeling tired, hon. How about you run me home and then come back and enjoy the party. You’ll have a great view of the fireworks off the bridge from Molly’s deck.”
“No, I’m done. I’ll come back with you,” Arianna said.
Bella slipped away to hide from the unpleasant truths Mia had shared, and Arianna went in search of Alden, who’d met them there.
“Mom needs to go home. We’ve worn her out.”
“Let’s get her home,” he said.
She went to say goodbye to Molly and was intercepted by Sunny. “Why don’t you let Sophie hang out here? I can bring her back when the fireworks are over.”
It sounded like a good idea. She wanted to keep Sophie’s life as carefree as possible and as far away from the shadow of her mother’s disease.
“Okay,” she said.
Alden was the picture of chivalry, letting Mia lean on him as they made their way back to Arianna’s car. It was a short walk to Molly’s house, but when chemo sapped your strength, even the shortest walk could feel like miles. Mia sank onto the seat with a sigh.
“I’ll go back with you,” he said once he’d buckled Mia in, and climbed into the back.
“We overdid it,” Arianna fretted.
“No, I’ll be fine,” Mia insisted. “I’d rather be tired and happy than well-rested and missing out. It was a lovely afternoon. I just wish I could convince you to go back and watch the fireworks.”
“I’ve seen fireworks, Mom.”
“You can never see enough. Remember that.”
Arianna reached over and laid her hand over her mother’s. “I will.”
Back at the house, Alden helped Mia out of the car and escorted her up the porch steps and into the living room. “Don’t let me end the fun,” she said to him. “Stay and keep my daughter company.”
“Glad to,” he said, smiling at Arianna.
That smile of his was enough to set off fireworks in her chest.
“Is there anything I can get you? Anything you need?” Arianna asked, once she saw her mother settled in bed.
Mia shook her head. “No, I’ll be fine. Go on downstairs and enjoy some you time.”
It seemed almost wrong to enjoy anything when her mother was so exhausted, continuing to struggle with her treatments. Arianna went back downstairs, dragging her deflated party mood behind her.
Alden stood by the door in guest limbo. “I’m sorry you’re going through all this,” he said simply.
She nodded. “Me, too. She doesn’t deserve this.”
