I walked Sophie to the door, and she gave me a quick hug. The sun had just gone down and what clouds remained billowed along the plum-streaked horizon.

The storm had passed quickly, as coastal storms often do. I wondered what storms I could expect in the future.

CHAPTER THREE

After I left for college, my parents sold the house where I had been raised and moved to an exclusive gated community. Gulf Sands borders the Gulf of Mexico, although almost every grain of sand is covered by thick mats of grass and blooming shrubs. My parents’ house sits back from the water, elevated to avoid floods and protected by a blue tile retaining wall. Just below, a patio bordered by St. Augustine grass leads out to the seawall and dock. The house itself is two story, with acres of glass on the first floor looking over the infinity pool and a lanai furnished with tasteful all-weather wicker.

The property is too valuable to be truly private, but my parents’ home sits at a point, so views of neighbors are limited. Inside, travertine floors gleam, and Tommy Bahama furnishings adorn the great room, which borders a kitchen with golden granite countertops and natural maple cabinetry. While my mother and I share few interests, we both like to cook. This kitchen is twice the size of the one in Sea Palms, but I doubt Mom uses it half as much.

The upstairs bedroom suites have views of the gulf, but luckily for my father, the master suite is downstairs. While the master doesn’t look over the water, French doors open to a shady walled courtyard, complete with tubs of flowers and a fountain. I hoped that Dad would feel well enough soon that he could enjoy the beautiful November weather there.

About noon I parked my Civic in the circular driveway, unlocked the front door and let myself inside. I listened for voices. If children were present, they were silent children, which perfectly described my nieces. I found my mother closing the master suite door behind her, and I didn’t speak, not wanting to disturb my father.

When she saw me, Mom frowned and motioned for me to follow her through the great room and outside to one of several tables on their expansive lanai. Our entire family can be outside at the same time and never have to talk to each other.

My mother looked exhausted. She is still blond, although her hairdresser has worked that particular magic on her layered bob for decades now. She’s never weighed more than a pound she shouldn’t, never gone out into the sun without protection, never attended fewer than three exercise classes a week. She uses makeup skillfully and daily, favors classic sporty attire and believes that diamonds are everyday wear. Today a wire bracelet set with several sparkled at her wrist, and one-carat studs sparkled in her earlobes. In contrast her eyes had no sparkle at all.

“Where are Holly and Noelle?” I wondered if I’d missed a call and my sister had come back to get them.