Someone Else’s Life(26)

“Annie?”

Annie turned to Serena. “I . . .” She couldn’t form a coherent thought. What was happening to her? Had she found them and placed them here on the dresser herself? But then why couldn’t she remember that she’d done so? The panic started in her chest, and her body tingled. Dimly, she was aware that Marley was at her side, pressing his body into her legs as her vision darkened. But no. She refused to give in to a panic attack, not when something good was finally happening. She would not embarrass herself in front of her new friend and lose control. She dropped the sunglasses and photo on the dresser and clenched her fists at her side. She would not give in to the darkness that was clawing its way through her body. She took a deep breath and blew it out through her mouth, then took another one in through her nose. In and out, slowly, as Serena stared at her, eyes wide and not moving a muscle.

When Annie felt slightly in control again, she loosened her fists and heaved out a breath. “I’m sorry.” Tears wanted to spill out, but she wouldn’t let them. “I get these . . .” She struggled for words. How to explain a panic attack to someone who’d probably never had one?

“Panic attacks?” Serena asked in a gentle tone.

Now it was Annie’s turn to stare at Serena. “You know? I mean, you’ve had them?”

Serena nodded. “Unfortunately.”

Annie drew her lips into her mouth, not sure what to say.

“I get it, Annie.” Serena’s voice was soft. “It’s okay. I’ve been there. Whatever it was that set it off, I’m here, okay?”

Annie nodded, not trusting her voice. But she was grateful to have Serena there, someone who understood. Who’d experienced these terrifying attacks and knew how she was feeling without her having to put it into words.





14


Once Annie could function like a normal human being again, they made their way back out to the living room. Annie collapsed on the couch while Serena poured more water for both of them and brought it to the coffee table. Annie gulped it down like she’d been in a drought, and when she’d had enough, she placed the glass on the table.

“Better?” Serena asked, from where she stood beside the couch.

“Yes.” Annie closed her eyes briefly and then opened them. “Thanks. For being here and not freaking out.”

“I get it, Annie. I really do.”

Their eyes met, and then Annie looked away. “Do you mind getting my wineglass? I need more wine.” In her head, she knew that was probably the last thing she needed, but it would soothe her nerves.

Serena got their glasses and then sat on the couch next to Annie, who had Marley at her feet.

“How did your father get this house? It’s such an ideal location, right on the water.” Serena glanced out the big picture window behind the sink at the rain, which was still falling steadily. “Well, I guess it’s ideal when there’s not a crazy storm out.”

Annie let out a breath, glad Serena was bringing the conversation away from her panic attacks. “I couldn’t believe it when my father got the house.” It had a private backyard with a canal that connected to the Wailua River, just steps away. They could kayak or paddleboard to the river right from their own yard, or use the private dock a few houses down and through a bamboo tunnel for the residents of this street.

“It does seem like a prime piece of real estate in Kapaa.” Serena was still looking out the window toward the main house.

“He bought this on the same trip that my mother died, if you can believe it.” Annie took a shaky breath, glad her heart rate had returned to normal.

“What?” Serena turned toward her.

“Yeah, crazy, right?” Annie thought back to that time. All three sisters had thought he’d lost his mind. “He didn’t tell anyone that he came to see this house in the days following my mother’s death. He bought it and then didn’t tell us until he was back in New York.” Annie shook her head. “After the funeral, at the dinner for family who’d come, he announced that he was selling their condo and moving to Kauai. That’s when he told us all he’d bought our mother’s dream house here.”

“No way.” Serena sat forward, leaning toward Annie.

“Yup. Apparently, they’d been looking at houses because they were going to move here. But they didn’t tell us. And she’d loved this house when they went to see it right before the hiking trip. He bought it in her memory.”

“That’s actually really romantic.” Serena had a dreamy look on her face. “And sad.”

Annie nodded. “Sam decided to move with him, which actually made me and Jeannie feel better, since we were worried about him. She and Cameron have been living with him in the main house for the last four years, and they’ve been really thriving here.”

“They must have been happy when you and your family decided to move here.”

“I think so. It is nice to be around family again.” Annie paused, thinking again how Serena was making her appreciate her family. It had taken an outside perspective to get her to see that she was lucky to have them.

“Tell me about your mom.” Serena picked up a couch cushion and hugged it to her chest.

Annie’s lips curved, thinking about her mother. “She was great. Loving and kind, but she was serious about instilling responsibility and great work ethics in all three of us. She believed in keeping your word. That if you promise to do something, you follow through. Otherwise, don’t promise.”