Sea Glass Castle - T.I. Lowe Page 0,1

watched the late-nineties movie repeatedly back in the day.

That almost pulled a smile to Sophia’s pinched lips. Almost. “Opal, stop talking in loops and spit out whatever harebrained idea you have for the day already.” She fell back on the bed and huffed. “Or better yet, don’t and say we did. Be sure to lock the door behind you.”

“No, seriously.” Opal reached over and began yanking on Sophia’s arm until she gave in and sat up on the edge of the bed. “Someone moved in next door and I’m a little weirded out about it. I need you to come over and tell me what your instinct says.”

“My instinct stinks anymore,” Sophia muttered, dropping her gaze to her hands, resting in her lap. For the first time in years her nails were bare of acrylic and polish. And for the first time in years she had no desire to do anything about it.

“Only thing stinking is your breath. Phew!” Opal wrinkled her nose and nodded her head toward the bathroom. “Do me a favor and go fix that.”

It took another long stretch of time before Sophia was persuaded to go wash the funk out of her mouth and to run a brush through her tangled hair, and she refused to change her clothes. If Opal was dragging her out of the condo, it would be in the black shroud of gloom. After sliding on a pair of giant sunglasses and an equally giant sun hat, Sophia dragged her feet all the way to Opal’s van and wondered how she avoided tripping over her bottom lip in the process.

•••

“I’m so tickled the Sand Queens are back together!” Opal scooted around the table on her back deck and grabbed a glass of lemonade. The summer day was warm and sunny, with a breeze carrying laughter from beachgoers and squawking from seagulls.

“Me too,” Josie agreed as she tucked a wayward wave of white-blonde hair behind her ear. “Two months is too long to go between meetings. I’m glad I talked August into giving me the afternoon off from the camp.”

“Your husband knows how important we are to you, so of course he’d give you some time off,” Opal said in that reassuring tone, the one that was trying to relay a hidden meaning.

Sophia caught the meaning but chose to ignore it. Yes, it was she who had stood up the other two, but tough. That was life. And for the past several months—closer to a few years—life had served her a platter brimming with unfairness.

“Sophia, aren’t you glad to be spending time with us today?” Josie asked in that small voice that never really suited her.

Sophia looked at Josie’s long, paint-stained fingers where they rested on her forearm. “Nothing against the two of you, but I’d rather spend my Monday alone. . . . I have a lot on my mind.” Yes, the warmth of the sun and the softness of the breeze felt good on her skin, but that was neither here nor there.

“Oh, I bet. Are you considering signing Collin up for the preschool program at the church this fall? I heard Momma talking with you about it after Sunday school yesterday.” Opal took a sip of her drink and gave Sophia an innocent look that was really her meddling expression.

Sophia let go of a long sigh and decided not to call her out on it. Instead, she gave the excuse “He has to be potty trained before they will accept him.”

“That’s easy enough.” Opal shrugged. “YouTube some tutorials and go get him one of those tiny toilets.”

“I’d rather he decide when he’s ready. So far there’s no interest.” Sophia tucked her left thumb underneath her ring finger and couldn’t contain the cringe at finding it bare. It was a habit she had formed right after Ty slid the flashy engagement ring onto her finger. Touching the back of the ring had always offered comfort and a reminder of promises. She was still struggling to grasp that the wedding ring—and the promises—no longer belonged to her.

“I’m sure you want to help Collin along. The preschool would be a great opportunity for him to interact with children his age. And it would allow you to get a job.” Josie smiled but seemed uncertain. She wasn’t nearly as good at meddling as Opal.

Sophia narrowed her eyes at both women, wondering what their game was. “I have alimony and child support and a nice severance package. I don’t need a job.”

Ty’s PR team had