The two women had bonded initially over their mutual experience with tragedy and had become close friends. Syd had been the first to reach out to Jenny after she arrived on the island and had connected her with a vast circle of friends she’d come to adore. Jenny hadn’t felt so at home anywhere since she lost Toby and was forever thankful to Syd for making the overture.

“Do you ever dream about Seth and the kids? As if they’re still alive?”

“Not as much as I used to right after the accident, but occasionally. Why? Do you dream about Toby?”

“Same as you. It used to be more frequent when it first happened, but now it’s only once in a while, and it always messes me up for a couple of days afterward.”

“It messes me up, too. I felt so bad because I had the dream when Luke and I were on our honeymoon. Of all the times for a blast from the past.”

“Oh jeez. What did you do? What did he do?”

“He was great about it, like he is about everything. He just rolls with whatever comes his way and keeps me calm, too. I tell him that’s his special gift—instilling calm.”

“It’s a good gift.” Jenny thought of Alex and how he’d instilled passion rather than calm.

“Yes, it is. Anyway, the honeymoon dream threw me for a loop for a couple of days. It’s always a shock to wake up from the dream and remember what happened.”

Jenny nodded in agreement—and in understanding. “I had the Toby dream this morning. Same thing.”

“What do you dream about?”

“It’s always the same thing. The last morning we spent together. I want so badly to know what he said to me before he left, and what I said to him, but I wake up before I get there. Every time.”

“Do you think it would make a big difference to know what you said?”

“Intellectually, I know it won’t make any difference. He’ll still be dead, you know? But I’d like to know.”

“It would give you closure.”

“If there is any such thing.”

“I don’t like that word very much for the same reason.”

“That’s one thing I’ve come to understand in the last twelve years. I’ll never get true closure, but peace is possible, and so is happiness and joy and other things I thought I’d never experience again.”

“Love is possible, too, Jenny.”

“Maybe so.” Jenny couldn’t help but think of the fiery encounter with Alex. That had been a long, long way from love, but it had reminded her that she was still very much alive and still very much a normal woman.

“So no sparks with Mason, huh?”

“Afraid not. He’s a very nice guy, though.”