Chapter 8

Monica leaned her back against the white leather seat, pressing the button to lift her legs in front of her. She removed her Chanel sunglasses and placed them on the side table. "I'll take a glass of white wine." She nodded to the flight attendant. Monica glanced at Olivia, "order whatever you want."

"Sparkling water, please." Olivia smiled at the waitress.

Monica rested her hand on top of Olivia's hand. "You're an adult. Feel free to indulge in a little cocktail."

Olivia grinned. "Can I have a sex on the beach?"

"Now that's more like it." Monica smiled. "I need a little liquid courage before I encounter your mother."

Olivia bit her bottom lip, "Auntie Monica, I didn't tell her you were coming."

Monica closed her eyes. "Well, this should be an interesting visit."

Olivia rested her head against the headrest, sighing. She rubbed her fingers over the diamonds on her Rolex watch, smiling as it glistened under the light. It was a habit she'd picked up after receiving the watch from Fitz. The watch gave her a sense of closeness to him.

Monica glanced at Olivia, popping a grape inside her mouth. "Beautiful watch. Was it a gift?"

Olivia nodded. "Yes, from a friend."

"Only men of distinction wear Rolexes. Men with power and money. Your uncle has a very nice collection." Monica turned to Olivia, facing her. "Is it serious?"

Olivia twisted the hem of her shirt, looking at her aunt. "I'm not sure. We don't have a title. It's very new."

Monica chuckled, swirling the wine in her glass. "He gave you a Rolex, Olivia. In his eyes, it's serious."

"You think so? I was supposed to come to New York and work on myself. Relationships can be a distraction."

Monica squeezed Olivia's hand, "sometimes, Olivia, distractions are a good thing."

"Please don't tell uncle Gregory."

"It'll be our secret." Monica grinned, clinking her glass with Olivia's.

X

Olivia stepped off the private jet. The Georgia sun was bright and warm. Monica followed behind her. Eli stood at the bottom of the jet, wearing a pair of blue jeans and a t-shirt.

"Don't you think this is a bit much?" Eli snuffed, taking Olivia's suitcase from her hand.

"Uncle Gregory insisted." She answered, rushing behind her father to the car.

Eli nodded. "What happened to the ticket we sent you?"

Olivia opened the door to the old black Chevy pickup truck. "I still have it. The airline said I could use it another time."

"I see." Eli rounded the truck, stopping at where Monica stood.

"Hello Eli." Monica waved.

Eli gripped Monica's suitcase and tossed it inside the back of the truck. Olivia jumped at the loud thud and glanced at her father.

"I see nothing has changed." Monica huffed.

Olivia eased inside and slid close to her father. The wintergreen air freshener swung back and forth from the rearview mirror. The smell of her father's truck brought her back to her childhood. She closed her eyes remembering the times he dropped her and Callie off at school. Friday nights at the drive-in movie. The car games he played with them. She loved playing 'Magic Light.' Her father would point two fingers at the red light. Her and Callie would yell out 'Magic Light.' The light instantly changed to green. For years she believed her father had a magic touch. It wasn't until she was older that she realized her father watched the other street light and waited for it to change before telling them to hold up their fingers. The car stopped and Olivia opened her eyes. The bed and breakfast came into view. Her stomach churned and she bit back the bile that suddenly rose up her throat.

Monica glanced at Olivia, noticing the grip she had on her stomach. "You ok, Livvie?"

Olivia shook her head. "I think I'm going to be sick." She flung the truck door open and bolted up the steps, praying the front door was open. It was. She rushed inside and headed for the bathroom.

Eli opened the car door and turned to Monica. "Does Maya know you're here?"

"No." Monica answered.

Eli walked through the door and carried the suitcases upstairs. It wasn't his place to tell Maya her sister was in their home. She would soon find out. Monica always made her presence known. One of the qualities he despised. Monica could be loud and boisterous at times. Monica stood in the hallway…alone. She took a deep breath, eyeing the pictures on the wall. They were pictures of Maya, Eli, Callie and Olivia. Fishing. Camping. Vacations. They were the epitome of a happy family. A single framed picture of their mother hung in the far left. A tear slowly slipped from her eye and she swiped it quickly. The last time she was in Georgia was for Callie's funeral. Her mother had died a few years before that. Georgia was a reminder of everything she'd lost. Maya and Eli had done a good job turning their mother's old home into a bed and breakfast. It kept them afloat financially. Maya refused financial assistance from Monica despite the various attempts she'd made.

Monica flipped her long hair over her shoulders and entered the kitchen. Maya stood at the stove with her back to the door shimmying to Anita Baker's 'Respect.'

"Hello Maya." Monica stated over the music, clutching her purse waiting for the response from her sister. She knew it wasn't going to be the loving embrace she'd desperately wanted.

Maya quickly turned at the sound of Monica's voice and dropped the wooden spoon on the counter. Her eyes were dark, filled with rage. "What are you doing here?"

Monica lowered her voice. "Olivia invited me."

Maya turned back to the stove, picking up the spoon. "She has enough support this weekend. You should have stayed in New York."

Monica took a few steps and sighed. "I wasn't going to disappoint Olivia. Not even for you."

Maya chuckled. "Disappoint her. You've got to be kidding me…right."

"She's adjusting well in New York. I'm doing everything you asked." Monica snapped, changing the subject. "When are you going to forgive me?"

Maya rubbed her hands down her apron. "I've forgiven you, Monica. I just haven't forgotten." She stared at the wall, blinking back a tear. "Things would have been different, for me."

Monica crossed her arms at her chest. "Momma made the decision. Not me."

Maya huffed and swiped at her eyes. "You didn't fight her on it. You went along with her plan."

"I've apologized countless times. What more do you want from me?" Monica slammed her purse on the counter.

"Don't take the one thing I have left." Maya leaned her palms on the cold countertop.

Monica sighed. "I'm not taking Olivia from you. She needed to leave Georgia. It wasn't good for her anymore."

"How would you know?" Maya yelled. "You hightailed your ass out of here as soon as Gregory made it big."

"She lost her sister. This doesn't have anything to do with me or Gregory." Monica threw up her hands. "I don't know why I even try with you. I won't make her hate New York just so she can come back here. She seems happy."

"Why would you want me to hate New York?" Olivia asked, walking inside the kitchen.

"Ask Maya." Monica brushed pass Olivia. She stopped at the doorway and looked at Maya. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry…for everything." She turned on her heels and walked out.

Maya shook her head and smiled, opening her arms for Olivia. "You're home. I've missed you."

"What was that about?" Olivia asked, hugging her mother.

"Oh nothing. We have some things to work out. Did you get a chance to look at the set up for the memorial?"

"I did. It's beautiful. The pictures are a nice touch."

"Thank you, Livvie."

"Do you need help with anything?" Olivia asked.

"No. I'm fine." Maya brushed a curl from Olivia's face. "Why don't you go and take a nap before the memorial starts. I'm sure you're drained."

Olivia nodded, giving her mother another hug.

Maya lifted Olivia's chin. "You know I only want the best for you. I love you very much."

"I know."

Maya smiled. "Callie's door is unlocked. I figured you might want to spend some time in her room."

X

Olivia raised her hand at her sister's bedroom door, preparing to knock. She let out a deep breath and shook her head. She knew the room was empty, but she'd still hoped her sister would miraculously open the door and usher her inside. Her hand shook as she pushed on the door. The faint scent of lavender tickled her nose. 'Lavender Bliss' was her favorite perfume. She loved it so much, she even wore it to bed. Her room was still the same. Untouched. Olivia sat on the bed, cradling a pillow against her chest. Tears began to flow down her cheeks and she squeezed the pillow, letting out a soft scream. She laid her head on the pillow, closing her eyes, falling into a deep sleep.

"Olivia." A voice she faintly heard in the distance. Her eyes flickered open and she saw a figure standing at the doorway.

"Your mom said it was ok for me to come and get you. The memorial is about to start."

She rubbed her eyes, allowing the figure to come into view. "Edison." She sat up on the bed and slipped her feet inside her sneakers. "Come in."

He sat next to her on the bed, linking his fingers with hers. She felt nothing. No spark. No fire. "It's good to see you." She placed the pillow neatly back in its spot on the bed.

He squeezed her hand and scooted closer to her. Olivia unlatched her fingers and fixed a loose curl behind her ear. "Same."

"Are you back for good?" He stood, walking over to Callie's desk, sitting in the chair facing her.

Olivia stood and walked across the room, wrapping her arms around her waist. She didn't want to have this conversation with him right now. She wasn't emotionally in the right place. Meeting Fitz had changed her feelings for Edison. Kissing Fitz while still being in a relationship with Edison was wrong. She knew it. In New York she didn't think about Edison. She didn't bring up his name to her coworkers. When Abby asked if she had a boyfriend, she immediately said no. She wanted her life in New York to be separate from Georgia. "We need to talk, Edison." Olivia stated.

"I fixed up the apartment above my father's garage. It's ready for us to move in."

Olivia walked to him and placed her hand on top of his. "I'm not coming back, Edison."

Edison sighed. "We agreed you would go to New York for a change of scenery and then come back and work on our relationship. It was what you needed to get better."

Olivia sat on the bed next to him. "I can't come back here."

"I can't do a long-distance relationship, Olivia." He huffed.

Olivia brought her eyes to his. "I'm not asking you to."

"Wh-what are you saying?"

"We should break up."

The words hit him like a ton of bricks. "Break up? No, Liv. That's not an option. We talked about this. I love you." He snapped, pacing around the bedroom.

Olivia sighed. "I'm sorry, Edison."

He stopped his movements and walked to her, trailing his finger down her cheek. "All I know is you."

"Edison."

"I should have seen this coming. Fuck! I gave up my dreams to stay here and wait for you." He groaned.

"What are you talking about?" Olivia asked.

"The last time Benjamin was here, he said my voice was impeccable. He wanted to sign me and make a deal, but I refused. I was waiting for you. I wanted you by my side."

"Call him. You should go." Olivia said.

"What about you, Liv?"

"I'll be fine." Olivia cupped his cheeks. "Stop waiting for me."

Edison swallowed. Hard. "I love you, Olivia, always have, always will."

"I know." Olivia smiled. She flicked her wrist and looked at her Rolex checking the time. "We should get going. The memorial is about to start."

"Nice watch." Edison smirked, linking his hand with hers, guiding them out of Callie's room.

X

Olivia sipped on her iced tea, kicking her legs in and out as she swung back and forth on the porch swing. Her best friend, Gracie was silent. Olivia sighed and stopped the swing.

"Quit being quiet, Gracie. Say what you want to say."

Gracie placed her mason jar filled with iced tea on the table. "Did you know all along you weren't coming back?"

Olivia swallowed hard. "No. Gracie."

Gracie nodded. "I had a feeling you weren't coming back. You were a wreck when Callie died. I tried to tell my brother but he refused to listen."

"We talked. Did you know about the offer from Benjamin?"

"I did. Is he going to take it?"

"Yeah. I convinced him. We broke up." Olivia shrugged.

Gracie picked up her glass. "I figured. He seemed upset after the memorial."

"You should come and visit New York." Olivia turned to her best friend, smiling.

"For sure, Liv. I want to see what all the hype is about."

Olivia laughed. "You'll have a good time."

Gracie smiled.

The front door opened and slammed shut. "I'm going out, Gracie. Tell dad." Edison barked.

"Ok." She said.

Edison rushed down the steps groaning. He stopped at the bottom and turned to Olivia. "When do you go back to New York?"

"Tomorrow."

He shrugged and kicked an invisible rock. "When I make it big, I'm going to come to New York and sweep you off your feet. Promise me, if you're not with anyone you'll give me another chance."

"That's a promise I can't give you, Edison. I'd love to come to one of your concerts."

He smiled. "I'll make sure to give you VIP access." He walked to his car and sped off down the driveway.

X

Olivia knelt at the gravesite. She laid the white calla lilies in front of the stone. A lone tear fell from her eye. "I'm not coming back, Callie." She sniffled, lifting her eyes to the sun. "I'll always carry you in my heart." She stood and placed her sunglasses over her eyes. Monica hugged her. "Ready?"

"Yes."

She finally had closure.