Spring Secrets - Allie Boniface Page 0,74

over in Silver Valley, Ernie says he’ll probably be servin’ time—and Sienna thought about reaching out, but what would she say? Better to move on, both literally and figuratively.

Jason got up and laid her list on the bed. “Guess I’ll get going.”

“Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.” He rested one hand on her shoulder, strong and true. “I’ll be here if you need anything, Sienna. Always.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

One Saturday Sienna went over to her parents’ house to help Ma plant some early annuals. It had become their tradition over the years, bringing color to the yard in raised beds that her father had built years ago. This year they didn’t talk much. Her father puttered around in the garage, sticking out his head every so often to ask a question.

“You’re storing things here, Sienna? How much stuff are we talking about?”

“What’s in these boxes behind the lawnmower?”

“I’m ordering lunch. Who wants pizza?”

“Sal, there are plenty of leftovers from last night,” Ma said with a huff. She rubbed her face and left a streak of potting soil across one cheek.

“I know. But your son asked for pizza. And I’m kind of in the mood for some, myself.”

Ma’s eyes glittered black. “Louie doesn’t get to make the requests for meals around here.” She sighed and looked at Sienna. “But since you’re in the mood, pizza does sound good. Get an extra pie for us, would you?”

Sienna sat back on her heels and surveyed their progress. “It looks good.” They still had an afternoon’s worth of mulching to do, but pinks and reds of all kinds filled the beds along the front of the house, and she knew they’d mature to gorgeous blossoms by the time summer rolled around.

I won’t be here to see them, but...

She blinked away tears. She was an emotional wreck these days; it seemed like the smallest thing could turn her into a weepy mess.

Later, after they’d devoured the pizza and planted two more beds in the backyard, she stood and stretched. “Guess I’ll be heading home.”

To her surprise, her mother burst into tears.

“Ma? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing...” She found a tissue in her pocket and blew her nose. “I just can’t believe you’re leaving.”

“I’m only going about four miles that way.” She pointed toward town.

“You know what I mean. You’re my first baby. And now here you are in a few weeks, going off to another country. For a whole year.” Her voice broke on the word.

Sienna pulled her into a fierce hug. “I’ll miss you too. But it’s not like I’m going to the wilds of southern Thailand where there’s no cell service. London’s a big city with running water and electricity and everything. Plus Max and Nate are there.”

“Call me every day.”

“You know it’s a six-hour time difference, right?”

“I don’t care.”

They hugged for another long minute, and then Sienna kissed her parents goodbye and headed around the house to the driveway. Everything ached from the physical work of the day, from her back and neck to her arms and legs. But it was a good exhaustion, a feeling of accomplishment. Like after a good workout.

But that thought, like most of the ones she had these days, brought her back to Dash. Everywhere she turned, a memory. It crushd her.

The front door opened, and she turned to see Louie standing on the top step. His hair was mussed, his eyes red, and he wore a Knicks jersey over pajama bottoms. He’d come out to grab some pizza earlier and then promptly disappeared again. You look terrible, she wanted to say, but he probably knew that. She hoped he got himself straightened out. She wasn’t sure what had driven him to change his circle of friends in high school, but she hoped he had the brains to realize he’d made a colossal mistake.

“See ya,” he mumbled.

She waved goodbye and got into her car. Out of habit, even though she knew she shouldn’t, she scrolled through her text messages and missed calls, looking for one she knew hadn’t come. Wouldn’t come. Dash’s silence had left a hollow spot in her heart, worse than anything she’d felt before.

She glanced in the rear view mirror as she pulled away. Louie was saying something to Ma, but she couldn’t read his lips. It looked intense, from his face and her reaction, but she couldn’t imagine what he might be saying that was all that earth-shattering. Maybe he was finally passing all his classes at school. Or apologizing for putting the