Free Sunset Bridge by Emilie Richards Page A

busy…keeping up with her.”
    “I remember when Maggie was that age,” Wanda said. “I told Ken I was going to need a chauffeur’s license and a spiffy black cap. Then Junior made the travel soccer team, and I pretty much lived in the car for three years.”
    “I know how busy Bay can be,” Tracy said. “Coming and going from the key a couple of times a day must be exhausting.”
    “We manage,” Alice said. “It’s good for…Olivia.”
    And it was. Tracy knew that. The girl, who was studying with a friend tonight, had suffered so many losses, but she had managed to overcome the worst and move forward. She had been voted most congenial at the rec center youth camp this past summer, and she was vice president of her class at middle school.
    “Isn’t middle school a lot harder to manage?” Tracy asked.
    Alice nodded. “And she’s in a youth group…at our church. So Sunday nights now…” She didn’t bother to finish.
    “We can all help out, you need us,” Wanda said. “Olivia could come to the shop after school—there’s a city bus stop at the end of the block. Do her homework at one of the tables, and I’d take her home, or Maggie would, once we finished for the day.”
    “Or she can always come to the rec center,” Tracy said. “She’s no trouble. She could join the after-school program.”
    “She likes to work on murals with me,” Janya said. “I could help, too.”
    Tracy expected Alice to refuse. Olivia was her only grandchild, and they were particularly close. But Alice nodded, as if she might think about it.
    “Good,” Wanda said, when nothing followed. “We’ll expect you to let us know, and we’ll say no if we can’t help.”
    “That’s settled, then,” Tracy said, watching Alice’s expression. “Anything else going on, Alice? How’s your bridge club?”
    “I…” Alice shook her head. The message was clear. She had dropped out, and nobody had to be told why.
    Tracy knew they were going to have to keep track of this. She had enough problems to keep herself occupied for, oh, the next twenty-one years? But she was more than fond ofboth Alice and Olivia. She wasn’t going to let a problem go long term.
    As unofficial facilitator, she turned to Janya. “What’s up with you, Janya?”
    “Very little. Rishi invited Indian friends to visit on Saturday. The woman, Kanira, is so unhappy, and she makes everyone else unhappy along with her. I want to help and have no idea how. Rishi says we should just be there if they need us.”
    “Why’s she unhappy?” Wanda asked. “Is it one of those arranged marriages again? I never did understand that whole notion, but then, I never did understand why normal marriages don’t work, either. I’m not sure any of us are meant to spend our whole lives with a man.”
    “Your normal marriages fail because romance is not the only part of marriage leading to success. Family ties and culture are important, too,” Janya said.
    “Your family’s far away,” Wanda pointed out. “And you and Rishi get along just dandy.”
    Janya smiled. “I think sometimes Rishi and I get along because my family is far away.”
    “Your new friends…have children?” Alice asked.
    “Two, and the sweetest children you could ever meet. I hope for their sakes the parents will learn to make a happy home together.”
    “Or split up,” Wanda said. “Sometimes that’s best for everybody. Better than fighting all the time.”
    “That doesn’t sound like you, Mom,” Maggie said. “Who liberated you? It used to be all ‘till death do us part.’ The first time I went steady, you preached a whole sermon on being loyal and supportive of my man. I was twelve.”
    “She exaggerates,” Wanda told the other women. “Pay her no mind.”
    “I exaggerate only a little.” Maggie was clearly feeling at home with the group.
    “What else is going on?” Tracy asked Janya.
    “Murals. Two lined up for next month. I will be busy.” She paused. “Which is good,