Page 48 of Fire and Rain
With her eyes closed, Eden could almost feel Justin’s lips against her throat as he’d undressed her. He’d made love to her, the two of them arriving breathless and a half an hour late to the Air Station holiday party. That was the last time she’d worn this dress. It was also the last time she’d dressed up, apart from Justin’s memorial service.
Then it hit her.
It was exactly five months today since Justin’s death.
It felt like an eternity.
Today was also her older sister Maria’s thirtieth birthday, and Eden had left Maverick with her mother so she could celebrate with her sisters at the Hangout Bar & Grill. The Hangout was the pub where Coasties mingled with locals, and it, too, held a lot of memories. Eden hadn’t been avoiding the place, exactly, but she’d known that going there again would be hard.
Val Larsen, the pub’s owner, kept a Wall of Heroes with portraits and newspaper clippings about Coasties from Kodiak who’d died in the line of duty. Eden had been there when Val had nailed up a framed photo of Justin and had tearfully accepted a toast in his honor. But she hadn’t been back since.
She finished dressing, grabbed a warm jacket, and set out. The Hangout was only six miles down the road from base, so it took just a few minutes to drive there. It was a Saturday night, so they’d made an early reservation, hoping to beat the weekend rush and ensure that Maria got her clam chowder before it was sold out.
As Eden pulled into the parking lot, she recognized Natasha’s, Anya’s, and Katie’s trucks. She parked beside Katie, grabbed her handbag, and walked up the ramp to the front door. A flyer on the door told her that the Outriggers, a local cover band, was performing tonight. Eden had gone to high school with Lynette, the drummer.
She walked inside to find the stage empty and her sisters waiting for her. They waved when they saw her, and she hurried over to their table, trying not to let herself get sucked down by memories. “Hey!”
Maria got to her feet and hugged Eden. “You look gorgeous. But how can you live closest to this place and get here last?”
“I love that red dress.” Eden hugged her back then took her seat. “I had to drive Mavie to Mom’s place. Baba was there, and we got to talking.
Her sisters let out a chorus of “Ahhs,” no further explanation necessary.
A server brought their menus. “You all look so much alike. You must be—”
“Sisters,” they said, almost in unison.
“I thought so.”
Eden placed her drink order. “A glass of white wine, please.”
Natasha, the oldest at thirty-two, turned to Maria. “How’s your birthday been so far?”
“It’s been perfect. Chris and the girls made me breakfast in bed, but Mattie accidentally tipped over the coffee. The mattress has a big old stain now.”
“Oh, no!” Katie laughed. “Poor Mattie. I bet she felt awful.”
Then Maria showed them her glittering pink nails and told them how Chris had set her up for a pedicure and manicure as a gift. “He’s such a good guy.”
“He really is.” Eden smiled despite the pang in her chest. Her birthday this year would be very different. “I’m so happy you’re having a great day.”
Their meals came quickly. Maria got her clam chowder. Natasha chose the halibut burger and a cup of chowder. Katie ordered the salmon burger. Eden and Anya, who was the youngest, both ordered fish tacos.
Eden raised her glass. “Happy Birthday, Maria!”
“Happy Birthday!” the others repeated.
They clinked glasses, and then dug in.
The conversation ranged widely during dinner. Natasha’s job at the Alutiiq Museum, where they’d just had a ceremony to repatriate old Alutiiq remains. Maria’s oldest starting kindergarten in the fall. Katie’s resolution to remain single and her new backyard chickens. Anya’s latest awful dating app experience.
“Then he replied, ‘I’m going to show you what you’ve been missing.’”
Natasha made a face. “Ew! He doesn’t even know you. How can he know what you’re missing? What an ego.”
“Right?”
“You dodged a bullet there, sis.” Katie dipped a French fry in ketchup.
