Page 17 of Fire and Rain
She sipped her wine, nodded. “My mother’s family mostly, though my father had some Alutiiq ancestry, too.”
“And Russian, I believe, and a bunch of other stuff.”
She smiled. “The population of Kodiak Island isn’t that big. When new DNA washes up on the beach…”
That made Sean laugh. “Justin used to say you were your own United Nations.”
Sean regretted his words the moment they were out of his mouth, but he was relieved to see the smile still on her face.
“I like that I can talk with you about him. Some people don’t want me to mention him at all. It’s as if he’s been erased or something.”
“I’m sorry. They’re probably trying to avoid their own grief.” Sean listened as she told him about a visit from her mother and cousin Mila earlier in the day.
“I found her stacking his uniforms on the bed. She wanted to know if the Coast Guard recycles them. I lost my temper, yelled at her to put them back, and told her never to touch his stuff again.”
Sean might have said something stronger. “How did she take that?”
“Mila did what I asked but was snippy about it. After that, she wanted to leave, which was fine by me. I know my mom felt bad about it, but she let Mila come when I asked her not to. She texted later to apologize. Still, I can’t help but feel guilty.”
“You get to decide who enters your home, Eden. Your family needs to respect your wishes, especially now. How hard can that be?”
Maverick was clearly fed up with sitting in his highchair and arched his back, struggling to get down, pesto on his face. “I godowwwwn!”
“Hang on, Mavie.” Eden stood, grabbed a washcloth, and cleaned his face and hands before removing his bib and setting him on the floor.
He took off on his little feet, running nowhere in particular, free at last.
“Do you think I’m taking too long?” Eden set the washcloth in the sink. “Mila said I shouldn’t wallow in Justin’s death.”
“Jesus.” Sean muttered under his breath, instinctively reaching to take Eden’s hand. “No, of course not. Justin was your husband. It’s only been three months. You two were crazy about each other. Everyone knows that. Maybe Mila’s forgotten what it’s like to have a husband she loves. He works in Prudhoe Bay you said?”
Eden nodded. “They only see each other a few months every year. When they’re together, they seem happy, but…”
“Ignore her.” Sean squeezed Eden’s hand, then let go. “She doesn’t get to decide what you think or how you feel.”
“Three months doesn’t seem like a long time to me when I thought Justin and I had the rest of our lives to spend together.”
“It’s not long at all.” Sean could empathize. “I didn’t love Justin the same way you did, obviously, but three months doesn’t feel like a long time to me, either.”
Eden lifted her gaze to meet Sean’s. “Thanks. You always make me feel better.”
Her words unleashed a surge of guilt. If he’d done his job that night…
Sean helped Eden clean up, while Maverick played with blocks on the living room floor. “I should be getting back. I’ve got an early morning tomorrow. I’ll be helping to train the new AETs while my arm and shoulder finish healing.”
Eden looked up at him, eyes wide. “Oh, gosh. I’m so sorry. I didn’t even ask you how it went today. You had your fitness eval, right?”
“I passed, but I know I’m not strong enough to operate a hoist line—not yet. I’ll be working in the avionics shop for a while.”
“Are you okay with that?” She closed the dishwasher, started the cycle.
“For now.”
She turned to him, dishtowel in her hands. “Can I ask you a favor?”
“Of course.”
“Crab Fest is coming up. As much as I’d rather avoid it, I don’t want Maverick to miss out. He was just a baby last year. This year he’s old enough to go on some of the kiddie rides. Would you mind coming with us and just being there? It’s a lot to ask, I know, and you’ll probably be bored out of your mind. None of my sisters can make it.”
