Jen Prill Fires of the Night

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Laurel shook her head, slowly at first and then more vehemently. "I'm sorry, Leslie,
but I can't come. Maybe if I really believed it would make a difference, I could find
the strength to help you. But it's been too long for me to believe I matter now."
"You do to Lilly."
More hurt resurfaced. More tears fell. "But she never wrote even once. She never
tried to call."
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"She was sedated and very weak during the period she was hospitalized in the
States. Claudia built a wall around her to keep out everyone, not just you, but my
parents and the rest of the family as well. When Lilly regained her strength and was
able to think for herself, she wanted to contact you. But Claudia made her vow that
she wouldn't. Lilly sought counsel from my husband, who is a psychiatrist at our
clinic, and he recommended that Lilly respect Claudia's wishes at least for a while,
at least until Claudia had time to find her footing again." Leslie paused and then
added. "And you know Lilly would do anything for her mother."
"And has she found her footing?"
"Partially."
"I see," Laurel murmured.
"Does that mean you will come?"
Laurel said nothing.
Leslie continued. "Lilly told me that if all else failed, I was to remind you of a
promise you once made to her, the promise to be her friend no matter what
happened between her mother and you. As a friend, she's asking you to come."
Laurel closed her eyes. She had no choice but to say, "I'll be there."
Two days later, after a trip she never wanted to repeat, Laurel was sitting in the
back seat of a limousine, riding through a massive stone archway that was the
entrance to Leslie's clinic. Expansive, rolling green lawns stretched on either side.
Trees as tall as skyscrapers lined the horizon. A brilliant blue sea peeked through an
occasional dip in the landscape. By the time the car stopped at the front entrance to
the clinic, or Ch�teaux as it was called by the chauffeur, Laurel was awestricken.
Even the terror she felt at seeing Claudia again was waylaid for a moment while she
gawked at the sheer opulence of it all.
"Laurel! Laurel!"
The chauffeur helped Laurel to her feet as she watched Lilly fly down the huge flight
of stone stairs toward her. Laurel flung open her arms, raced toward her, and
enveloped Lilly in a hug that would have crushed a grizzly bear. The two clung to
each other until their tears could be contained.
"Let me get a good look at you," Laurel finally said, taking a step back, but still
holding onto Lilly's hands. "You look sensational. I actually think you have grown a
little taller."
Lilly smiled. "No I haven't, though I have put on a little weight."
"Well, you certainly look older!"
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"That's what Mom says, but if she had her way, I'd still be wearing pigtails and a
pinafore." Lilly pulled Laurel back into her arms, and whispered, "I knew you would
come."
Laurel choked on a tear. "I'm just making good on a promise."
Lilly linked her arm with Laurel's and escorted her around the side of the huge
stone mansion. "I'll show you to the guest cottage first. That's where you'll be
staying. Then if you're not too tired, maybe we could go down to the boat house.
Aunt Leslie is there and she's dying to meet you."
"I wouldn't mind taking a shower first. I feel like I've been in these clothes for a
month."
Laurel and Lilly talked like old friends, easily and happily, as if their parting had
been a normal one. Lilly recounted the details of the last few months of her recovery,
but said the first few months were just a blur. She mentioned her mother, but only
in passing and Laurel did nothing to encourage her otherwise.
Then Laurel filled Lilly in on the center and Anthony, and conveyed messages to her
from staff members and the clients who had been in a retreat with her.
"I'll unpack while you take a shower," Lilly offered as she opened the front door to
the small stone house. Inside was a bedroom, a living room, and a kitchen next to a
small bathroom. It was furnished simply, with lots of wicker and bright colored
pillows. Out the back was a stone patio that blended into a rose garden still in full
bloom.
Laurel accepted Lilly's offer gratefully, and as she let the hot steamy water beat
against her back, she congratulated herself on how well she was handling [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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