apple
cheeks, infectious laugh, and seemingly endless supply of glittery statement
necklaces,” Kendra said of the older lady, who had also lost her husband two
years ago. She’d found comfort within The Sassy Sheep and its knitting groups.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen her wear the same
one twice,” Aunt Jackie agreed with a light chuckle.
“Her
hearty, spontaneous laugh, makes me laugh.”
“Same here.”
“She seems like such a nice lady.”
“Yes, she is.”
Kendra took a beat, having exhausted all she could
say about Mrs. Findley for now. “Have you heard from Vanessa lately?” she eased
in, as if asking about the weather back home.
“Yes, I did. Today actually. She phoned.”
“How is she?” Kendra asked, keeping her tone
neutral, fending off the prick of resentment because she’d only received
postcards from Vanessa. Never mind that Kendra had yet to respond to the three
text messages Vanessa had sent the week before, in which she’d griped about her
long wait in “some ramshackle” small town airport while her new husband’s
private plane was getting prepped for takeoff. Cry me a river, Kendra had thought at the time as she’d imagined
Vanessa flicking her gel-manicured talons in impatience.
“Same as always,” Aunt Jackie replied.
“On a love high with the new husband, no doubt.”
Kendra had read all about him on The Blag. Fourth husband, Ashton P.
Northcross, was a much older dandy of a dude, who reminded her of Thurston
Howell III from those old Gilligan’s Island reruns. “He sounds like a pleasant fellow, and
he’s obviously loaded, providing her with the jet-set life to which she’s
always wanted to become accustomed. Good for her. I want her to be happy.” I
think, went unsaid.
“Yes, maybe this one will actually stick this
time,” Aunt Jackie said. “So, think you might have a chance to scout out a yarn
shop while you’re there?”
“Well, er,” Kendra sputtered. Aunt Jackie had changed the subject much
too quickly. She wanted to know
more about Vanessa’s call. It was a
ridiculous notion, but Kendra avoided openly expressing her intense interest in
Vanessa for fear of making Aunt Jackie feel slighted.
“Sweetie, you still there?”
“Yes! If there is a yarn shop here, I’ll find it.”
“That’s my girl.”
“Well, I’m not going to hold you. I know it’s late
there.”
“Yes, I have to get to bed. A repairman is coming
over to check the water heater first thing tomorrow morning.”
“What guy?” Kendra dropped the blooms curling
around her fingers. Fixes around the home and The Sassy Sheep and hiring
reputable help for them had always been Uncle Alex’s job. Her inexperienced
aunt was a little too trusting of repairmen.
“Don’t worry, he’s the son of a customer I know
well.”
“But—”
“ And he’s licensed, bonded, and highly rated, according to that popular consumers’
database you love so much. I did due diligence this time around. Now promise me
you won’t spend your trip worrying about me and phoning every day like you did
when you were at the Dallas conference. I’ll be fine, you hear?”
Kendra would make no such promise.
“I mean it, Kendra. Now promise me.”
Kendra sighed. “Okay, I promise not to phone every day .” But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t text or email several times
a day.
“I love you, sweetie.”
“Love you, too, Auntie.” After ending the call,
Kendra reached for her laptop and surfed over to the Just Vanessa site and lingered for an hour before turning off the
lights.
***
Kendra awakened to a stunning sunrise the
following day. At the Hawaii
Authors Conference, an “early bird” welcome breakfast started at 7 a.m. Good. She would pack a lot into the
first day.
She entered the spacious sun-splashed ballroom
filled with writers, editors, agents, and other publishing professionals. A
full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the beachfront view. The
cheeks, infectious laugh, and seemingly endless supply of glittery statement
necklaces,” Kendra said of the older lady, who had also lost her husband two
years ago. She’d found comfort within The Sassy Sheep and its knitting groups.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen her wear the same
one twice,” Aunt Jackie agreed with a light chuckle.
“Her
hearty, spontaneous laugh, makes me laugh.”
“Same here.”
“She seems like such a nice lady.”
“Yes, she is.”
Kendra took a beat, having exhausted all she could
say about Mrs. Findley for now. “Have you heard from Vanessa lately?” she eased
in, as if asking about the weather back home.
“Yes, I did. Today actually. She phoned.”
“How is she?” Kendra asked, keeping her tone
neutral, fending off the prick of resentment because she’d only received
postcards from Vanessa. Never mind that Kendra had yet to respond to the three
text messages Vanessa had sent the week before, in which she’d griped about her
long wait in “some ramshackle” small town airport while her new husband’s
private plane was getting prepped for takeoff. Cry me a river, Kendra had thought at the time as she’d imagined
Vanessa flicking her gel-manicured talons in impatience.
“Same as always,” Aunt Jackie replied.
“On a love high with the new husband, no doubt.”
Kendra had read all about him on The Blag. Fourth husband, Ashton P.
Northcross, was a much older dandy of a dude, who reminded her of Thurston
Howell III from those old Gilligan’s Island reruns. “He sounds like a pleasant fellow, and
he’s obviously loaded, providing her with the jet-set life to which she’s
always wanted to become accustomed. Good for her. I want her to be happy.” I
think, went unsaid.
“Yes, maybe this one will actually stick this
time,” Aunt Jackie said. “So, think you might have a chance to scout out a yarn
shop while you’re there?”
“Well, er,” Kendra sputtered. Aunt Jackie had changed the subject much
too quickly. She wanted to know
more about Vanessa’s call. It was a
ridiculous notion, but Kendra avoided openly expressing her intense interest in
Vanessa for fear of making Aunt Jackie feel slighted.
“Sweetie, you still there?”
“Yes! If there is a yarn shop here, I’ll find it.”
“That’s my girl.”
“Well, I’m not going to hold you. I know it’s late
there.”
“Yes, I have to get to bed. A repairman is coming
over to check the water heater first thing tomorrow morning.”
“What guy?” Kendra dropped the blooms curling
around her fingers. Fixes around the home and The Sassy Sheep and hiring
reputable help for them had always been Uncle Alex’s job. Her inexperienced
aunt was a little too trusting of repairmen.
“Don’t worry, he’s the son of a customer I know
well.”
“But—”
“ And he’s licensed, bonded, and highly rated, according to that popular consumers’
database you love so much. I did due diligence this time around. Now promise me
you won’t spend your trip worrying about me and phoning every day like you did
when you were at the Dallas conference. I’ll be fine, you hear?”
Kendra would make no such promise.
“I mean it, Kendra. Now promise me.”
Kendra sighed. “Okay, I promise not to phone every day .” But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t text or email several times
a day.
“I love you, sweetie.”
“Love you, too, Auntie.” After ending the call,
Kendra reached for her laptop and surfed over to the Just Vanessa site and lingered for an hour before turning off the
lights.
***
Kendra awakened to a stunning sunrise the
following day. At the Hawaii
Authors Conference, an “early bird” welcome breakfast started at 7 a.m. Good. She would pack a lot into the
first day.
She entered the spacious sun-splashed ballroom
filled with writers, editors, agents, and other publishing professionals. A
full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the beachfront view. The
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