daughter while still shaking her rear as if it had been tossed into a blender. She pointed at Laurenâs iPad. âPandora. I learned something new today!â
Arden shook her head. âNot only is it too early to be playing loud music and dancing, but, Mom, you need to rest. You shouldnât be overdoing it.â
Ardenâs criticism sliced through the music, and Lauren muted her iPad. Lolly reached for the robe sheâd tossed over the side of an old rocker.
âDonât you dare,â Lauren said, seeing her grandmotherâs joy turn sour.
Ardenâs eyes widened behind her glasses. âThatâll be enough, young lady.â
Bristling at Ardenâs words, Lauren yanked off her wig and tossed it across the room at her mother. âMom, if you want to sleep in, fine, but you donât need to police us. Grandma and I got up to do a little yoga. I thought the stretching would be good for her. And then we decided to dance and have a little fun.â
Arden suddenly felt bad for putting a damper on things, but the doctor had been clear about Lolly taking it easy, and she didnât want her mother to get hurt. She never wanted anyoneâincluding herselfâto get hurt anymore.
Arden knew Lolly wouldnât say no to Lauren; someone had to step in to keep everyone safe.
âItâs six forty-five a.m. Iâm exhausted.â
Then, looking at her mother, Arden added, âLauren, I donât want to talk about this right now.â
Lauren exploded. âWell, I do. Iâm sick of sweeping every emotion under the rug. Iâm sick of having my life dictated to me. Iâve hated my life for the last few years. Iâm a business major ⦠a business major. What am I doing with my life?â
Silence engulfed the cabin. Just beyond the screened porch, loons cried their mournful song, matching the mood inside.
Arden was now wide-awake. Although her daughterâs outburst seemed out of the blue, Arden realizedâif she were honest with herselfâthat Lauren was deeply unhappy.
âI found the bills, Mom,â Lauren finally continued, her cheeks quivering. âAll the letters from Dad. The divorce settlement. Thatâs why I switched to business. I ⦠I just didnât want to add any more stress to your life.â
Lolly looked at her daughter and granddaughter, pulling her robe tightly against her body.
Ardenâs face froze. She tugged at her earlobe nervously.
âOh, honey. I never imagined,â Arden gasped. âIâm so sorry. I have been totally oblivious to how you were feeling. None of that is your problem.â
Arden again felt like Alice, falling into the rabbit hole. Only this time the hole seemed even deeper. It was all becoming too muchâbeing back home, her motherâs illness, Laurenâs unhappiness. Arden felt as if she were doing her best to manage everything and take care of everyone, but it still wasnât good enough.
âIt feels like it is my problem,â Lauren said. âThe bills are all because of me.â
Lauren began to weep.
Lolly walked over and put her arm around her granddaughter, giving her a tender kiss on the cheek. Then she walked over and did the same to her daughter, before holding up her wrist and rotating through the charms on her bracelet, as if she were searching through an old Rolodex.
âAaaah, here we go!â Lolly said, her face crinkling into a big smile. âMy kite charm. My mother gave this to meâ¦â Here, Lolly stopped and shut her eyes to hold back tears. â⦠before she passed away. This charm is to a life filled with high-flying fun. My mom gave it to me in order to always remind me thatâno matter how difficult life can beâwe must always remember to have fun.â
âItâs not that simple, Mom,â Arden said, the words coming out before she could stop them.
âActually, it is, my dear. We will resolve
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