Time Makes You Bolder (Sequel to No One's A Fool)

Chapter 9

Stevie decided to end the story there for the night, knowing what was coming next. There was a band playing at Fleetwood's on Front Street, and some of the group decided to go. They invited Wrenna, but she declined, saying she was tired and wanted to go to sleep. She still hadn't turned her phone back on, knowing there was likely to be a hundred texts from her frantic family, and from Gabe. She knew Stevie had talked to him, told him what was happening, but she didn't know how he was feeling.

Aurora, exhausted from a day of playing at the beach with her family, was quick to fall asleep, curled up against Wrenna, her little head pressed against her mother's chest. Wrenna was holding her with one hand, reading a book with another, when Lori walked by the room and stopped.

"Oh, isn't she a little angel?" She whispered, stepping into the room, cooing over the sleeping child.

"She's the best." Wrenna smiled, looking down at her daughter. "I can't imagine life without her."

"That's exactly what I said after I had Jessi. And what your mom said after you were born." Lori told her, sitting down on the bed. "One day you're independent, going through the world, doing your thing. And the next you're a mom, and you can imagine how you functioned without them."

"Did you ever think of having another?" Wrenna asked.

"Not really." Lori shrugged. "But that was mostly because I had you. Stevie and I were raising two only children, but it never felt like that. You were hers, but you were always mine too. You know what I said the first time I held you after you were born?"

"You said, 'I know you'. You've told me a hundred times." Wrenna said, laughing.

"I did know you. You felt familiar to me. You've always been like my kid too."

"I know. I've always been grateful for that, too. You're a good auntie – the best." Wrenna said.

"Birdie, I know this is not how you wanted to spend this week. And you know the story has a few more difficult moments yet to come. But I think it's good that you know your history. And that we're all here to support you. You've always avoided this, but – it's right you know. So you can stop being haunted by thinking that nobody wanted you."

"I know, Lori. I really get that. It's just... it sucks. Feeling like you weren't someone's first choice."

"Sweetheart, I've been divorced twice. I get it – rejection is hard. But I hope that while you're listening to all of us talking, you can look around at all the people who came to this island to be with you. You've never gone a day without being loved." Lori kissed her niece and Aurora, and then she let them sleep.

The next morning Wrenna went out with Amy and Jessi for breakfast, leaving Aurora behind in the care of her grandparents. When they got back, everyone was gathering in the living room again. Wolf offered to take Aurora swimming, and Amy offered to go along too, but Mick put his hand on her shoulder.

"I think you should stay. You should be here to hear what happened next, and in case Wrenna needs you." He told her. She nodded and went to sit back down on the couch.

~~~~~~~

1987. LA

It was another month before Stevie finally went to talk to Joe. After many futile attempts to contact him via phone, his agent, and their mutual friends, she told his assistant she was coming over, whether Joe liked it or not. Lori drove her over, and they both mentally prepared themselves for the worst.