Mel’s heart bumped. Not that she believed anything of what she’d read online, but Ashley was pregnant. Ashley wouldn’t be going to college. Eden was so impressionable.

But she was also sensible. Was she? Was she sensible?

Either way, she couldn’t protect her forever, could she? She was her mother, not her keeper. Her job was to support her, not control her.

It didn’t matter whether her concern came from a place of love or not, she had to start trusting her daughter to make good choices.

“You can borrow my car,” she said. “We’ll drive up to Otter’s Nest together and I can spend time with Joanna while you and Eden go wherever you want to go.”

“Cool. Thanks, Mom.” Eden seemed surprised that it had all been so easy, and sauntered off, ponytail swinging.

Mel wanted to call after her. She wanted to say, Come and walk on the beach with me, but she was afraid Eden might refuse and her confidence couldn’t take another knock.

You’re not that easy to talk to.

Eden had accused her of trying to fix everything, but how could she not try and fix this?

She needed her daughter to know that she could talk to her. She needed Eden to believe that her mother would listen. Properly listen.

How was she going to do that?

19

Ashley

“So did he kiss you?” Ashley passed the cheese to Joanna.

“No, he did not kiss me.”

“Shame. I bet he’s a good kisser. But you already know that, don’t you? Don’t slice that cheese too thickly. We’re going to layer it.”

“I haven’t kissed him for more than twenty years. I don’t even remember it.”

“You’re lying. But he’s probably even better now.” Ashley nudged Joanna. “Boy and man, right?”

The sun shone through the open doors and spilled light onto the kitchen counters as they chopped and sliced.

“We should not be having this conversation.”

“Why not? I can tell you’re loving it. You’re smiling.”

“I’m smiling because I like cheese.”

“You’re smiling because you like Nate. We were talking about kissing.”

Joanna sighed. “I’m too old for this. If you want to talk about kissing boys, you can talk to Eden. I’m sure she knows a lot more about it than I do. Can I use any cheese to make this?” She sliced the cheese carefully, exactly as Ashley had taught her.

“See, that’s your problem right there.” Ashley leaned against the countertop and Joanna put the knife down and looked at her.

“Not knowing enough about cheese?”

“Thinking you’re too old. You’re forty, Joanna. Forty is young. You’re in your prime! Stop acting like your life is over.”