“But Mom getting sick…” Elissa couldn’t bring herself to finish the thought.
“A coincidence, Elissa.” Her dad wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “You’ve taken your responsibilities as the oldest seriously. Too seriously. Not everything is your fault, and not everything is going to hell in a handbasket if you take some joy for yourself.”
“But—”
“Enough. Being in town when this happened wouldn’t have changed anything, except Ami wouldn’t have had to step up. She’s not the screwup we think she is.”
“Thanks.” Ami’s voice was deadpan, but a small smile crooked up the side of her mouth.
“You can only fool us for so long, Amicaria.”
“Daaad.” Ami rolled her eyes at her full name.
“They’re right, Liss.” Her mom’s voice was weak and scratchy from the intubation during surgery, but her eyes were bright. “You’ve done plenty. More than enough, if I’m honest.”
“Let me get you some water.” Elissa took a step toward the plastic pitcher, but her dad pulled her back.
“No, let me get her some water. Go sit.”
Elissa sat, taking her mom’s hand, the one with the IV, in her own. Her other arm was broken and in a cast. Her leg was in traction. She sipped at the water Dad gave her.
“You’ve been our blessing,” her mom said.
“Hey!” Ami protested, but she was smiling.
“All of our children are blessings in their own ways, but we never had to worry about you, Elissa. You were right where you were supposed to be every time, helping with Ami or Leo, or picking up the slack.” Her dad paused and shared a look with her mom.
“It wasn’t fair to you.” Her mom squeezed her hand. “You always acted so grown up, and I forgot sometimes you weren’t. And now, well, I sometimes forget you are. Both of you. I’m sorry.”
“I…I never minded, you know. I like being helpful,” Elissa said.
“Bossy, you mean.” Ami still wore a wry grin.
“Maybe a little.” She nudged her sister’s shoulder.
“But I think it’s time we all learn to let go, at least a little. Give you both room to breathe.” Dad pulled Ami in for a hug. “And I think the young man you ditched us for is an excellent place to start.”
“Yes, you should go home, shower, and sleep, then go bang his brains out.”
“Ami!” Shock had their dad’s ears turning pink.
“‘Bang’ is not a swear word.” Ami crossed her arms, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I could’ve said?—”
“I can’t. I, uh, kinda broke up with him,” Elissa said, desperate to stop the next word out of Ami’s mouth.
“Why on God’s green earth would you do that?” Mom asked. “That is the….”
Her heart rate monitor beeped a little faster, and Dad shot Elissa a glare before returning his attention to his wife.
“Relax, Dana. No yelling today, okay? Drink some water and let go. Elissa’s got this.”
Mom rolled her eyes but drank the water anyway.
“I… Well… God, I am a class-A loser. A guy whispers he loves me, thinking I’m asleep, and I freaked the fuck out.”
Everyone’s brows rose as Elissa swore, but for once no one brought up the damn swear jar. Good. She wasn’t playing that game anymore. As soon as she had a moment, she was using all the money in her swear jar at the apartment and taking Jules out for margaritas. Or buying Ryan some “I’m sorry” flowers. Or liquor. Whatever.
“What did you do?” Ami asked.
