Beth

"I can't believe Boob boy is still in the running!" Sophie says. "I swear the judges are compromised and the only reason he's still in the competition is they want to see his product in action!"

We are kicked back on her leather couches sipping lemonade. I shift to a more comfortable position.

"It's not so much a reflection of the quality of his product as it is that Janet had an even worse one," I say. "I'm still not even sure what her product was, even though she tried to explain it to me at least ten times. Here's the worst part. I'll be lucky to beat the Boobinator. How embarrassing is that? I suppose the silver lining is the competition would have been more intense if I was in my old group. I would have been sent home for sure before Robert after messing up the first round. As it is, the judges insisted if I want to stay in the competition, I need to fix my app. I can't believe it was so glitchy. I swear Mike and I tested it."

"Mike will figure it out," Sophie says waving her hand airily.

"Easier said than done," I grumble. "Selena has the best shot of winning the next round. The judges loved her app. I think half the reason they pushed so hard for me to make one is because they liked hers so much. Cole's rubbing it in my face that he was right. I don't know what you saw in that guy in the first place, Sophs. I wish I wasn't in such a dysfunctional group."

"Hmm."

"Sophie! You're not listening to a word I'm saying. Why do you keep staring out the window?"

"Oh, it's nothing," Sophie says.

"You're a terrible liar!"

"Fine. Isaac mentioned he was moving into your house with his Gran today. I'm planning to help him. I know how upset you were at him for not keeping you in his group, but maybe you ought to give the guy a second chance. I hope you won't scare him away just because you're mad at him. I really like Isaac, and I know he likes me."

It's strange to see Sophie serious about a guy, especially considering her track record switching out boyfriends on a regular basis. It's even stranger that Isaac is the man she's falling for. I can tell she's sincere, though. It's not fair of me to block her happiness, no matter how disconcerting this all feels.

"Fine. I'll try to be civil to Isaac."

"That's all I ask," Sophie says. "He might want to come over and hang out sometime, but he probably won't if he thinks you disapprove."

"Don't worry about me. All you have to do is tell me he's coming and I'll stay out of your way," I say, finishing the last of my lemonade and standing up to wash my glass.

"Actually, I was hoping you might be willing to help me out. I am helping Isaac unload the truck and was wondering if you could keep his gran company. I don't think she likes me very much."

"Violetta? I'm sure you're mistaken. She's a sweetheart."

"Maybe. Wait! I just got a text. It's from Isaac. So will you go over with me?"

I sigh. I had planned to obsess over my product all night, but maybe it would be better to take a break. It will be nice to see Violetta again. I haven't been to her cafe for a few weeks.

"Sure. Let me run a brush through my hair first."

Five minutes later, we are walking in the direction of my home. Isaac and his grandmother are standing on the sidewalk when we arrive. I join them.

"It's so good to see you again, Violetta," I say, giving her a hug.

"Beth, dear girl. You haven't been to see me in awhile."

"You're right. I could say I've been busy, but that's not an acceptable excuse, is it? I can show her the house if you want to unload, Isaac."

Relief washes over his face as he hands me the key.

"Thanks," he says.

I unlock the door and open the door for Gran. I catch a glimpse of Sophie standing close to Isaac and playing with the buttons on his shirt in a flirtatious manner. Isaac is grinning widely and seems to be enjoying the attention. I so don't need that image in my head.

Turning my attention away from them, I close the door behind us and seat Violetta in the drawing room.

"Are you sure you don't mind us living here, dear," Violetta says. "I know how special this home is to you."

"It is special. The only thing that makes it bearable is to know that it will be taken care of by people I care about deeply."

"I notice you said people you care about deeply, so I must assume you're talking about Isaac as well."

I blush.

"Ah, now that's a promising reaction. You know I don't like to pry into affairs that aren't mine, Beth, but inquiring minds must know. What happened between you and Isaac? I never met young people more perfect for each other than you two. When Isaac told me he was coming home, I hoped you two would hit it off again. Isaac never did tell me what happened when he proposed, but I can't help but wonder why you two haven't kissed and made up. I know the boy can speak without thinking sometimes and he's a bit on the scrawny side, but he has grown into a good and kind man. The scrawniness doesn't bother you, does it dear? It won't take me long to fatten him up nicely if it does."

"No, no. Isaac is fine. You know I love you, Violetta, but some things just aren't meant to be."

"Nonsense, child. No one directs your fate, you make it! Don't you want Isaac anymore? Why won't you fight for him?"

"It doesn't matter what I want. I have responsibilities that I can't just hand off to someone else. Besides, Isaac seems preoccupied with Sophie. He'll make his own choices. I want to keep my friendship with both of them."

"Is Sophie the young chatterbox who talks a mile a minute and won't let you get a word in edgewise?"

"Don't you think that's a little harsh, Violetta?"

"Hmph. No offense to this Sophie girl, but somehow I can't see her as a good match for my Isaac. He needs a woman that can think deeply about the things that matter most to him, a woman that can be his sounding board and an equal to him in every endeavor. Doesn't she seem a bit flighty to you?"

I appreciate Violetta's indignation for me, but I feel compelled to stand up for Sophie.

"You are not going to draw me into this argument, Violetta. What's going on between Isaac and Sophie is their business, not mine. Why don't I show you your new bedroom? Isaac thinks you'll like it."

Violetta seems disappointed she can't get more information out of me, but she's willing to oblige me. It's hard to see age starting to catch up to Violetta. She always seemed so larger than life to me, moving between ovens and serving customers with an energy and graciousness I admired. I know she has good help at the cafe, but the burden of running the business still falls on her shoulders. She's so stubborn, she likely won't quit unless her health forces her to.

I open the door to her bedroom, and Violetta sighs contentedly.

"Oh, Beth. This is a lovely room. How can you bear to give your home up?"

I feel a lump in my throat.

"It's not easy, I'll admit, but it's the right time. I need to focus my energies on my business, and while I'm living in this house, there's always other things that needed my attention. You and Isaac will take good care of it, I'm sure."

"That we will," Violetta says. "I promise you don't need to worry about a thing."

I hear laughing coming toward us.

"Gran!" Isaac calls. "We're bringing some boxes to your bedroom."

I hold the door open wide for him and Sophie. They set their boxes on the floor and accidentally try to exit at the same time. Laughing, Isaac steps back stretches his arm out as if to say, you may proceed, my lady. Sophie sweeps out the door, flashing a beaming smile and laughing eyes at him.

When they leave, Violetta is unimpressed.

"The boy's not right in the head," she grumbles. "It was always supposed to be you, Beth."

"Violetta, let me make this clear. Isaac is happy. He doesn't smile like that around me, and heaven knows, he's been through a lot and needs to smile. I consider Sophie a dear friend as well, so please be kind to her. She doesn't know our history, and I don't really see the need to tell her unless they get serious. Right now they're just having fun, so let's just let it go. Okay?"

Violetta sighs.

"I can't say it doesn't trouble me, but of course I'll honor your wishes. Even if you don't want to see Isaac, you will still come and see me, won't you?"

"I would be happy to, Violetta."

"I think I would like to rest now," she says. "Will you tell Isaac for me?"

"Of course," I say.

I wander out of Violetta's room. It's surreal, seeing my home being occupied by other people. I know I promised her I would visit, but I hadn't counted on how strange it would feel. I can only hope it will get easier with time.

I search the entire house for Isaac and Sophie to let them know Violetta's resting, but I can't find them. I open the door and close it gently behind me.

It is nearly dusk. A few early stars are already shining. I breathe in the heady smell of petunias and geraniums. Violetta is right. I will miss the peace and solitude of Malcolm Estates deeply, but it will also be a huge relief to have someone else covering the rent.

I skip down the stairs and walk around the trailer.

There, under the bright moon, I see a couple kissing.

It's Isaac and Sophie.

My heart constricts. If it hurt to see Greg kissing that girl, this betrayal feels 100 times worse. Stumbling backward, I kick a rock and catch their notice.

"Beth!" says Sophie. "We were just getting ready to bring some more boxes in. Of course, we got a little sidetracked, didn't we, Isaac?" She giggles. Isaac is looking at the ground.

"I think...I think I'll just go back to your house now, Sophie," I say in a befuddled voice. I walk a few steps in a daze, then remember and turn back. They are already kissing again. My heart can't take this.

"Um, I don't mean to interrupt again, but Violetta is resting. You should probably stay out of her room and be quiet when you're bringing boxes in."

"Thanks, Beth," Isaac says quietly. "I appreciate you taking care of her."

"Don't mention it," I say in a flat voice, turning and walking back as quickly as I can to the sanctuary of Sophie's home. 

___________

Ah, the feels! Click the star if you're feeling for Beth.

Sooo, what do we all think about this latest development??!! (Please don't throw any laptops or devices at the wall. I wouldn't want to be responsible for you crushing your devices :) 

Dedication today goes out to the lovely @RKClose, whose vampire novel RED NIGHT was released today! I'm so enjoying this book. If you haven't had a chance to check it out, click on the dedi link and congratulate her! You can also scoop it up on Amazon for a few bucks and enjoy it offline. :)