Page 73 of The Summer Club
Cora’s heart fluttered. This was their only window, as Charley had said, and she could feel it closing down on them. “It’ll just take a minute, Syd. I can help you with all that after…”
But Sydney was staring at the screen of her phone, already lost in texts. “That’s okay, James can help me. It shouldn’t take long.”
Cora glanced helplessly at James.
To her immense relief, James took the hint. “You know, it was hot down on the beach. I think I’ll grab a quick shower. Syd, give your mom a minute and we can make those calls after.”
Cora led her youngest outside, to one of the tables. They sat, looking out at the dunes and ocean below.
“So what’s up?” Sydney asked her.
Cora studied her daughter carefully. Her nose was already freckled by the sun, her skin tinged with peach. What a beautiful summer bride she’d make. “I wanted a minute with you, before things get too crazy. How’re you doing?”
Sydney smiled and shook her head. “It’s surreal, Mom. I can’t believe I’m getting married tomorrow. And everyone is on their way.” She glanced at her watch. “This is the calm before the storm.”
“Are you nervous?” Cora ventured.
Sydney lifted one shoulder. “A little. Suzy was supposed to be here two hours ago.” Suzy, her college roommate and maid of honor, was known for being a lot of fun. But not exactly punctual. “And from what I heard, the groomsmen who arrived late last night are already hungover at their rental cottage on Ridgevale.” She made a face.
Cora laughed. “Sounds about right to me.”
“And the weather forecast is calling for high humidity tomorrow. I don’t want people to sweat to death at my reception.” She made another face. “I don’t want to sweat to death at my reception.”
All understandable things to worry about, Cora reasoned. “Well, you can’t change all that, I’m afraid. I’m sure it will all work out beautifully. Try not to worry.”
Sydney turned to her. “I guess the one thing I’m not worried about is James.”
This made Cora happy. Unlike her wedding day to Charley in the county courthouse. A shotgun affair his own mother refused to attend. Attended only by all of Cora’s fears for what she was about to give up in the name of her growing belly. Now she reached over and squeezed Sydney’s hand. “That’s all that matters. You and James are already way ahead of where your father and I were.” Cora had never spoken this way with her youngest, but now, sitting under the white tent with so much ahead of them, it felt right. “We love each other, very much. But it has not always been easy.”
She could feel Sydney’s curious gaze. “Mom, I never had any sense of that. For what it’s worth.”
Cora smiled ruefully. “I guess we pulled it off then. Just know that there will be good times and difficult ones. Neither last. The one thing that helped is this place.” She looked around, at the dunes, the decorated patio, the cottage behind them. “Over the years, this place has always brought us back together. Given the family a place to come to.” Sydney’s brow furrowed and Cora wondered if she’d said too much. She didn’t want to cause doubt, but she did want to be truthful.
“I know that, Mom. Riptide is special to all of us.”
Cora looked at her. “That’s what I want to talk to you about. Your grandmother has given you both a gift and a burden and I don’t know if I should congratulate or console you. Just remember all the good things that have happened here. Like tonight’s dinner for your wedding. There’s a history of great love in this place. Good times and bad. Kind of like a marriage.”
“We’ve been lucky,” Sydney agreed.
There was so much Cora wanted to say. About marriage. About family. And the obligations and mistakes that come with both. And the forgiveness they required.
But she couldn’t, without first being honest with Sydney about her own. “Honey, I want to apologize to you for all the messy family stuff that erupted right before your big day. Here, I’ve been so mad at your grandmother for spilling a secret. But there never should have been a secret between us to begin with. That’s on me.”
“Oh, Mom.” Sydney shook her head. “It’s been ugly, yes. But there’s stuff that probably needed to be aired out for a while now.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Not just with you and Dad. Things between us kids too.”
Cora wondered what that meant exactly, but she wasn’t done with everything she needed to get off her chest. “We should have told you kids, when you were old enough. About the twins’ biological father, about our mixed family. All of it.” She paused. “That’s my biggest regret.”
Sydney grew quiet. “Mom. Can I tell you something?” Her voice wavered and Cora worried she’d struck some fresh nerve.
“What is it, honey?”
“I always knew.” Sydney stared into her lap.
“Knew what?”