An hour later we walked out of the hardware store with some of the supplies we needed, plus an order form for the larger items we couldn’t fit in her car, and which would be delivered to the house in the morning. It had been another strange experience, going through the shelves in the store and knowing exactly what I needed, and how to work with it, yet not remembering how I knew. Lily was right. I needed to chill, and with her here, it felt surprisingly easy. Trying to force my brain to work so hard was counterproductive. Dr. Adler had said multiple times I should slow down, and while I knew it would be impossible for me to physically sit still, at least I could give my brain a rest.

“I appreciate your help with everything,” I said to Lily as we loaded up the car, “and I know Maya will, too. She’s really excited about having the garage done so she can work in there all year. She’s hoping to make more sculptures and eventually cut her shifts at the Cliff’s Head.”

“I’m happy to help. Was Maya always into art? Do you know?”

“Apparently, she was all set to go to the Maine College of Art in Portland, but when my father died, she derailed a little.” I didn’t want to betray Maya’s confidence about what she’d told me, how desperate she’d been, how happy and thankful when I’d given up studying economics, which had apparently been my lifelong dream, and came back here so she wasn’t alone. She’d cried when she’d told me how she felt guilty about holding me back, how she thought it could be the reason why I’d left Newdale after all. Me already in my thirties and her not far behind, both of us still living together in the family home. And then I’d gone off on one last night and told her she was suffocating me. Good job, Ash.

Back at the house we unloaded the supplies. “What do you fancy doing now?” I said, hoping Lily wouldn’t tell me she wanted to go back to the motel or had other plans.

“I’m happy to check out the beach if you’re still game. Only, fair warning, I didn’t exactly pack with that kind of trip in mind and I’d imagine it’ll be freezing, but I’ll go for a dip in my underwear if you will. Unless you think we’ll freak out the locals?”

I grinned. “Either way, it’s a deal.”

We drove with the windows down, the radio playing softly in the background. If I tried hard enough, I could almost pretend it was a normal day, the first one in ages. I glanced at Lily, and when she caught me doing so, smiled broadly.

“You okay?” she said.