Always You (A Magnolia Falls Novel)

by Ruth Roberts

  Everything was perfect. Until the end of the night.

  Zack had gone to get them some punch and was taking longer than she expected. She decided to go looking for him. She quickly found him, kissing her stepsister. She must have made a startled sound because Zack turned to look at her, and the color drained from his face. “It’s not what you think, Diana,” he said.

  She didn’t wait to hear anymore. She lifted her dress and ran away from him as fast as she could. The last thing she saw was the satisfied grin on Liz’s face. Her perfect night had ended in heartache.

  A voice came over the train speakers and brought her back to the present. She had arrived at her stop. Diana took a deep breath, picked up her bag and got off the train. All of that had happened years ago. A lot had changed since that day, except her relationship with her stepsister. They were polite strangers, and now they were all Jessica had. Diana wondered how the three of them would ever find a way to go on without their parents to hold them together.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Magnolia Falls never changed. It was the one constant in Diana Mathison’s life, the place where all the people she could count on were. Leaving ten years ago when she was barely eighteen, to go to college had been gut-wrenching. She remembered the feeling of despair, as if she were losing her family, not only her father and stepmother, but also the townspeople. They had been her family from the day her mother had walked out on them when Diana was only ten. The townspeople stepped in to care for a poor little girl whose father was too stunned after his wife left him to take care of her, from Mr. Adams who owned the book store, to Ray from Ray’s Diner, and Mrs. Betty, the local dance teacher.

  They were there for her now, just like when she was ten. Seeing their solemn faces brought her comfort as the two, black lacquered coffins were lowered into the ground. Today she was saying goodbye to her father, Jesse Mathison and the only mother who had ever cared for her, her stepmother, Corine Mathison. Now she truly was an orphan. Beside her Jessica was crying quietly. Diana reached for her, and Jessica climbed into her lap. Jessica’s tears quickly began to soak the shoulder of Diana’s jacket.

  ***

  After the funeral everyone went back to the Mathison mansion. Diana stood in the family room at the back of the house, looking out the window as the voices of friends and neighbors floated around her. Despite the fact it was a bright and sunny summer day there was a light rain falling, making the trees and rose bushes in the backyard glisten. Corine would have called it liquid sunshine. She remembered when her stepmother planted the rose garden. She had made both her and Liz help. It was the year after her father and Corine had married. Liz complained the entire day about having to work in the “dirty dirt.” Diana loved it. She didn’t particularly enjoy yard work, but she loved spending time with Corine. She was the mother Diana had always dreamed of having.

  The memory brought tears to her eyes. A single tear rolled down Diana’s cheek. She wiped it away.

  “How are you holding up?” Jillian asked Diana.

  “I’m not sure yet. None of this seems real. I keep hoping I’ll wake up from the nightmare I’ve been in since the phone call.” Diana was so glad Jillian was there. They had been best friends since they were children and had seen each other through many a problem. This was by far the worst tragedy they had experienced.

  Jillian draped her arm around Diana. “Give it time. And you know I’m here for you.”

  “Thanks. You’re a good friend, better than I’ve been to you this last year.”

  “You’ve been exactly what I needed when I was going through the divorce. Who answered the phone when I called at two in the morning? And who flew to Boston to hold my hand and pass me tissues while I cried after I found my rat dog, scumbag, jerk husband in bed with my sister?” Jillian pointed at her. “That was you, my friend.”

  “But I’ve hardly been around since then.”

  “You are a big shot city attorney. You’re a busy lady. I understand and so did your parents.”

  “How do you always know what I’m thinking before I say it?” Diana shook her head. “I should have come home more often, spent more time with them. It’s a two-hour train ride from the city to come home. Why did I keep postponing my trip?” Diana didn’t think she would ever forgive herself for not spending more time with them. Now she would never get the chance to have dinner with them again or tell them what wonderful parents they had always been. She couldn’t even remember ever saying that to them. She must have at some point, but she couldn’t remember a single time.

  “Hey, stop beating yourself up. Your parents were proud of you. Your dad bragged about all those big cases you were winning. Besides, it’s not as if you didn’t see them often. Didn’t they go up to see you and Liz once a month?”

  “Yeah, they did. But there were times I barely made time to have lunch with them. It wasn’t enough.” She had been the worst daughter ever.

  “You and your parents had one of the best relationships I’ve ever seen. Definitely better than mine with my parents. Focus on what you had, not on what you missed.” Jillian’s reassurance helped slightly.

  “You’re right. It just hurts so much to know they’re gone.”

  Jillian reached for Diana’s hand and squeezed. “I know, honey.”

  Zack approached them. Without a word he pulled Diana into his arms and held her tightly. “Saying ‘I’m sorry’ isn’t enough. I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”

  Diana wanted to hold on much longer than she did. Being in his arms felt so right, as if that was the only place her pain could be eased. “Thank you,” she said, feeling the loss when he released her. “You don’t know how much it means to have you both here.” She reached for his and Jillian’s hands. What she really wanted was for Zack to pick her up and carry her away to a place where the pain couldn’t reach her.

  “Of course we are here. You are my best friend,” Jillian said.

  Diana looked at Zack. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but was holding back.

  “And being your best friend obligates your brother to be here as well?” Diana asked.

  “I’m here, not because of obligation, but because I couldn’t let you go through this day without me.”

  Diana felt more tears spring to her eyes. “Thanks, Zack,” she barely managed to say in a whisper before the tears began falling again.

  “Take her somewhere. I’ll take care of things here,” Jillian said to her brother.

  Diana shook her head. “I’m fine. Really. Besides, I can’t leave because Jessica might need me.”

  “Let’s at least go outside so you can get some fresh air for a few moments,” Zack said.

  “That’s a great idea.” Jillian agreed with her brother.

  Outnumbered, Diana didn’t have the strength to argue. Truth be told, she wanted to be with Zack. She wasn’t strong enough to handle today on her own, so she let him lead her out the door and into the backyard. They sat on the double swing on the back porch. He pushed them gently and didn’t try to talk to her. He just gave her time to compose herself, for which she was grateful. Even after ten years of distance between them, she still felt comfortable in Zack’s company.

  After several minutes of much-needed silence Diana was feeling better. She looked at Zack. He was watching her. “You ready to go back in?” He asked.

  She shook her head. “Not quite yet.”

  He nodded. “You are the strongest person I’ve ever known. You are going to get through this, and you will be happy again one day. I promise.”

  She smiled and scooted closer to him. She lay her head on his shoulder. “Stop being so nice to me. I don’t deserve it.”

  He put his arm around her shoulders. “You deserve so much more,” he said softly and kissed the top of her head.

  ***

  Later, Diana walked from room to room downstairs looking for Jessica. The aroma of all the different foods people had brought filled the air. The chatter of friends telling stories an
d recounting memories of her parents was touching. She heard snatches of conversations, some stories she’d heard before, others that had happened in the ten years since she’d been gone were new. She had missed so much. She had kept telling herself to go home more often. Holidays weren’t enough. But once she started working at the firm in New York City, there never seemed to be enough time. Now it was too late.

  She found Jessica in the front parlor, sitting on the window seat, looking out the window. It wasn’t right for a little girl her age to look so sad. Diana sat next to her and ran a hand down Jessica’s blonde curls. “What are you doing here all alone, squirt?” Diana looked into sad, emerald green eyes, an exact replica of her own, they had both inherited from their father. Diana’s hair was dark brown, but Jessica had gotten her blonde locks from her mother, just as Liz had.

  “I’m not alone. There’s lots of people in here,” Jessica said.

  “Yes, but why are you sitting all by yourself?”

  Jessica shrugged and hugged her stuffed dog tighter.

  Diana picked her up. “Come on, squirt. Let’s go find Liz.”

  They found her in the family room, sitting amidst a group of people who were talking, yet she stared straight ahead, as if she wasn’t hearing a word they said. Diana was struck again by how thin and frail she was. Liz had always been thin, especially so since she started modeling at the age of sixteen, but now she looked unhealthy. Eating disorders weren’t uncommon for models. Diana didn’t want to care, had made it a point not to care about her mean-spirited stepsister since they were children. Still, she wondered if their parents knew what was going on, and now they were gone would it be her responsibility to do something about it. She was the oldest, by six months. She would just have to deal with it later. She deposited Jessica into Mrs. Betty’s arms and said, “Liz and I have a meeting in Daddy’s study. Stay with Mrs. Betty, we won’t be long.” Jessica nodded and laid her head on Mrs. Betty’s shoulder. The woman stroked her hair. Satisfied her baby sister was in good hands, Diana touched Liz on the shoulder and motioned with her head. Liz stood and followed her into the study.

  Tears sprang to Diana’s eyes when she walked in. Her father’s things were just as he left them, ready for him to come back and use them. But he never would. Mr. John Wilcox, their father’s friend and the attorney handling the estate was already seated in one of the four armchairs in front of the window. “Ladies. Please come join me, and we can get started.”

  Diana and Liz complied. Once seated, they waited for him to begin reading the will. By the time he finished they were both stunned. Diana was the first to speak. “They want us both to move back here, to Magnolia Falls?”

  “Yes.”

  “That doesn’t make sense,” Liz said. “Diana and I both have careers and homes in New York City. We can just as easily take care of Jessica there.”

  “If either of you do not comply with all the stipulations in the will, then your Aunt Maggie will get custody of Jessica as well as ownership of this house, its contents, and the massive acreage,” John said, sympathetically.

  “Aunt Maggie is my father’s aunt. She is almost ninety years old. She can’t take care of a child. Her deadbeat son would probably move in with her, and there is no way I would allow him anywhere near Jessica,” Diana said.

  “He is creepy,” Liz added.

  “Nevertheless, those are the provisions of the will. You both have to move in here immediately. The house and its grounds will belong to the three of you jointly. Your father’s law firm is yours, Diana.” He handed each of them an envelope. “They wrote you each a letter. There is one for Jessica as well which I will give to her when she turns eighteen.” He snapped his briefcase shut and stood. “Your father and I had been friends for many years, since before you were born, Diana. I will miss him dearly. If either of you ever need anything, please come to me.” He gave them each a hug before leaving.

  Liz was turning the envelope over and over. Diana stared at hers which was laying across her lap.

  “Should we read them now, or would you rather read yours in private?” She asked Liz.

  “Might as well read them now. I have a feeling it will help us decide what to do.”

  “As if we have a choice.” Diana realized these were the absolute last words she would ever have from her parents.

  They each pulled out their letter and read quietly. When they finished they put both letters on the table in front of them.

  “Apparently my career meant nothing to them. At least you got the law firm and can continue practicing law. How am I supposed to model while living in Magnolia Falls? It’s not even on the map, for crying out loud.”

  Diana bit back an angry retort. Liz hadn’t changed. She was still selfish, thinking only of herself. “You managed to launch your career while you were living here. If I remember correctly you stayed pretty busy for those few years. Why can’t you do that again?”

  “It’s not that easy, Diana. You don’t get it.”

  “You’re right, I don’t get it. I don’t get why you would even consider leaving our little sister in the custody of a ninety-year-old woman and her creepy son. Jessica is what matters now. We have no choice, but to move back here to take care of her.”

  “You’re right.” Liz sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “Of course we will. I was blowing off steam. It’s been a long week, and I haven’t been sleeping very well at all.”

  Diana hadn’t expected Liz to acquiesce so quickly. This was new. Liz hated being told what to do.

  “Fine. I’m sure we can at least take a week to go pack up our places in the city. School doesn’t start for another month so we’ll take Jessica with us.”

  Liz nodded. “I need to go up to my room and try to get some sleep. Will you be okay with all of this?” She asked with a wave of her arm.

  “Yeah. You go on up and get some rest.” In a totally uncharacteristic move Liz went to Diana and hugged her. She awkwardly returned the hug. They’d never hugged before, unless it was for a family portrait.

  “Thank you, Diana.”

  She had no idea what she was being thanked for, but she heard herself saying, “you’re welcome,” anyway.

  Diana felt as if she were in an alternate reality where her evil stepsister had been taken over by someone human.

  ***

  Liz closed her bedroom door behind her as she entered her childhood room. It was still painted the hideous yellow she had chosen just to spite Diana when she first moved in. Once she figured out yellow gave her headaches, she was too proud to change it back to the pretty blue Diana had painted it. Gosh, what a spoiled brat she had been. She had given the wicked stepsisters in Cinderella a run for their money, tormenting Diana every chance she got. Why had she done that?

  It was her own fault she missed out on having a sister and a best friend. During the few months after Liz’s mother had married Diana’s father and Liz had her whole life turned upside down, having to leave her home in Texas to move to a small town in the middle of nowhere Connecticut, Diana had tried to be both a sister and a friend. Liz stubbornly rejected Diana’s attempts. By the time Liz figured things out and wanted to be a sister, it was too late. The damage was done. In all these years she had never figured out how to undo that damage and have a relationship with her sister.

  She knew the final blow had been kissing Zack at Senior Prom. She hadn’t even liked Zack. She was just jealous of Diana and wanted what she had. He had never shown any interest in Liz. He only had eyes for Diana. She had orchestrated the whole kiss when she saw Diana heading toward them. Zack had been as shocked as Diana at the kiss. Of course she didn’t believe him. She always had low self-esteem, something Liz never understood because not only was she pretty with big green eyes, thick wavy hair, and full pink pouty lips. She also had brains and a personality someone had once described as the most pleasant they’d seen in a long time. Diana was the whole package. All Liz had was beauty, so she’d learned to use it to get what she wanted
at a very early age. It had been easy to make Diana believe Zack preferred Liz to her.

  They say something good comes out of tragedy. Maybe the something good would be that she and Diana could build a relationship now that their parents were gone. For Jessica. For their parents. And for them. She could use a friend, better yet a sister, in her life right now. Her messed-up life either just got much worse or would get better with this move back to Magnolia Falls.

  At least the townspeople had warmed up to her in the last few years. She had been coming home at least once a month and had finally begun to prove she was no longer the selfish, spoiled brat she had been as a child.

  Secretly, she had yearned to belong. She’d wanted to walk into Ray’s Diner after school on a cold day and have a cup with her name on it for hot chocolate, since he refused to serve coffee to anyone under the age of eighteen. She’d wanted her first recital picture proudly displayed at Mrs. Betty’s, and she also wanted a partner for the annual Build a Snowman Contest. Her friends were other girls who despised small town life and wouldn’t be caught dead participating in any town events.

  Now she would have Jessica. Ironic that her baby sister felt like her savior at the moment. Because of Jessica, Diana would have to accept her, too.

  With that thought in mind, Liz lay down on her purple coverlet and fell asleep.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Two days later they were on a train, headed to New York City. Jessica bounced up and down in her seat. Although she had been into the City several times, this was her first train ride.

  “Jessica, you are going to spill your drink. Can you please sit still until you finish it,” Diana scolded, hating to correct her. Today was the first time she’d seen her little sister smile since the accident.