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She currently had ten centerpieces to get done for a wedding and was looking forward to diving in. Mom smiled big when she walked in.
Her blonde hair, like Isla’s, was braided down one shoulder, and the green apron she always wore in the shop was secured tightly around her waist. “There’s my daughter!” She announced before putting down the bouquet she was working on to give Isla a hug. She pulled back, holding Isla’s arms and looking at her with a tilt of her head. “I almost forgot what you looked like.”
Isla laughed. “It’s only been a week, Mom.”
“Feels like forever. The house is so quiet without you.”
“Deb, leave the girl alone. She just walked in.”
Isla smiled as her dad came out of the back where she worked, mostly. His brown hair speckled with a few grays was in need of a cut. “Hi, Dad.”
“Hi sweetheart. How’s life of being a homeowner?”
She could lie and say it was a piece of cake, but she’d never been one to fudge the truth. “Stressful. I broke two glasses, overloaded the washer, and had a pipe burst.”
“What?” Dad’s eyes widened. “Why didn’t you call me? How bad is it? I’ll head over as soon as finish inventory.”
“Dad, it’s okay. I fixed it.”
His eyebrow arched toward his outgrown hair. “You? Fixed a burst pipe?”
“I might’ve had some help.”
Isla swore Mom’s eyes lit up. “Does it happen to be a certain neighbor who moved in recently?”
“Maybe.”
“Nolan fixed the pipe. Okay, good.”
Dad had always loved Nolan and trusted him to take care of things when he couldn’t. “I helped! I even hit the wall with a sledgehammer.”
“Sledgehammer!” Dad exclaimed. “What the hell were you doing with a sledgehammer?”
“We needed to get to the pipe in the wall, and since the wall was already water stained and ruined, Nolan said it was best to replace that section, so he let me take it down. Then I helped cut the pipe and solder a new piece in.”
“Who are you and what did you do with my daughter?” Dad asked.
Isla laughed. “I’m a homeowner now. I grew up.”
“Well, stop it. I don’t like it.”
“Don,” Mom said. “Be proud of our little girl.”
“I am, of course I am, but little by little, you’re not going to need me anymore.”
Isla wrapped her arm around Dad and rested her head on his chest. “That’ll never happen, but I think it’s time you slow down a bit, and it’s time I start doing more things on my own.”
Dad kissed the top of her head. “My baby is all grown up. Lord help me.”
“It had to happen eventually,” Mom said.
“Have you heard about the hurricane?” Dad asked. “The last time one hit this early in the season was Hurricane Agnes in June of 72’. They’re still not sure of this one’s path, but if it comes up the coast, it’ll be a direct hit, so you’re going to have to make sure all the outside furniture is secure.”
“Don’t worry, Dad. I think I can handle it.”
“Deb, did you hear that? She really doesn’t need me anymore.”
“Come here and I’ll help you lick your wounds.”
