"No, actually they're a gift for a friend."
"Lucky friend. Everything's loaded."
"Thanks."
In town, she wandered the shops, treated herself to new sandals, a breezy skirt, and thinking of the long-ago summer, a boldly printed scarf to use as a beach wrap.
She swung into the bookstore, waved to the clerk ringing up a sale at the counter.
"Hi, Emma! Your mom's in the back."
"Thanks."
She found her mother opening a recent delivery of books. The minute she saw Emma, Lucia set the shipment aside. "Now this is the best kind of surprise."
"I've been out spending money." Emma leaned over the box to kiss Lucia's cheek.
"My favorite activity. Almost. Did you buy something that made you so happy, or . . ." She tapped a finger on Emma's bracelet. "Are you just happy?"
"Both. I'm going to cook dinner for Jack, so I still have to go to the market. But I found the cutest sandals, which-of course-I had to wear out."
Emma did a pivot, a turn, showing them off.
"They are cute."
"And . . ." Emma flicked her index fingers at her new gold dangles to make them sway.
"Ah, pretty."
"Plus a wonderful summer skirt just covered with red poppies. A couple of tops, a scarf, and . . . so on."
"That's my girl. I saw Jack this morning. I thought he said you were going to the movies tonight."
"Change of plans. I'm going to make him your flank steak. Mrs. G had one in the freezer so I begged it from her and it's been marinating all night. It's out in the car in a cooler. I thought I'd do those roasted fingerling potatoes with rosemary, maybe asparagus, a nice chunk of bread with dipping oil. What do you think?"
"Very manly."
"Good, that was the idea. I couldn't bring myself to hit Laurel up for a dessert. She's swamped. I thought maybe just ice cream and berries."
"A manly and thoughtful meal. Is this an occasion?"
"Partly to thank him for the incredible night in New York, and the rest . . . I'm going to tell him, Mama. I'm going to tell him how I feel about him, that I love him. It seems almost wrong to have all this"-she pressed a hand to her heart-"and not tell him."
"Love is brave," Lucia reminded her. "I know when he says your name, he looks happy. I'm glad you told me. Now I can think good thoughts for you, for both of you, tonight."
"I'll take them. Oh, and you have a book for Parker. I told her I'd pick it up for her."
"I'll get it for you." Lucia wrapped an arm around Emma's waist as she walked her out of the storeroom. "You'll call me tomorrow? I want to know how your dinner went."
"I'll call you, first thing."
"Emma?"
Emma looked over, smiled at the pretty brunette she desperately tried to place. "Hi."
"It is you! Oh, hi, Emma!"
Emma found herself gripped in an enthusiastic hug and rocked side to side. Baffled, she gave the girl a friendly squeeze in return as she shot questioning looks at her mother.
"Rachel, you're home from college." Lucia beamed as she gave her daughter hints. "It seems like last week Emma was heading out to babysit for you."
"I know. I can hardly-"
"Rachel? Rachel Monning?" Emma pulled her back, stared into bright blue eyes. "Oh my God. Look at you. I didn't recognize you. You're grown-up and gorgeous. When did you stop being twelve?"
"A while ago. It's just been so long, between this and that and college. Oh, Emma, you look awesome. You always did. I can't believe I ran into you this way. I was actually going to call you."
"You're in college now? Home for the summer?"
"Yes. One more year. I'm working at Estervil, in public relations. It's my day off and I stopped in because I needed a book. A wedding planning book. I'm engaged!"
She held out her hand to show off the sparkle of her diamond.
"Engaged?" Emma pushed through the moment of speechless shock. "But you were playing with your Barbies ten minutes ago."
"I think it's closer to ten years." Rachel's face lit up with her laugh. "You have to meet Drew. He's amazing. Of course you'll meet him. We're going to get married next summer, after I graduate, and I really want to have you do the flowers, and, well, everything. My mother says Vows is the place. Can you believe it? I'm getting married, and you'll make my bouquet. You used to make those Kleenex bouquets for me, and now, it'll be real."
She felt the jab straight in the belly, hated herself for it, but felt it. "I'm so happy for you. When did this happen?"