Bridget:How to be a good example for my nieces. I want to show them what they can achieve if they try hard.
Cole:It’s the details, the variables, that keep me up. Usually, how I can ensure none of them fuck up my plans.
BRIDGET
It was ten days until Christmas, and I hadn’t bought a single gift. So when Denise texted insisting that I prove I was still alive by going to the mall with my sisters, I hauled myself out to San Ramon with the goals of buying my parents a present and not cracking under my sisters’ interrogation.
“There she is,” Denise said, standing from the table outside the café to hug me.
I relaxed into her embrace. I hadn’t been touched for four days, since Friday night at Cole’s, when he’d given me that handmassage that I thought—hoped even, despite what we’d agreed—might turn into more. But this was better.
Until she whacked the back of my head.
“Ow! What was that for?” I stepped out of swinging range.
“That’s for not coming around since you almost died on that trip.” She scowled at me.
“She didn’t almostdie,”Megan said. “Did you?”
“No.” I hugged Megan. “I only lost my passport. I did fall into a river, but Co—a coworker pulled me out.”
“Did you check for parasites? Any rashes or diarrhea?” Megan had gone into nurse mode. “A stutter could be a symptom of a brain injury. Did you hit your head?”
“No. Jesus.” I brushed off her hands. “I’m fine.” Turning to Trish, I said, “How areyou?Your hair looks fabulous.”
“She’s better since she left that piece of shit,” Denise said.
“Her bloodwork was great at her checkup,” Megan added. “Ciara and I got to hear the baby’s heartbeat.”
So she had told the rest of the family. Though her secret, unlike mine, would become obvious in a few weeks.
“Where’s Ciara?” I scanned the patio for our youngest sister.
“She had to work,” Trish said.
“Oh, she gets a pass, but I was threatened with violence if I didn’t show?” I folded my arms.
“She’s a paramedic.” Denise rolled her eyes. “She’s saving lives. You’re just making more money for The Man.”
“Ouch.” That hurt more than the smack she’d given me. “We employ ten thousand people across eight offices worldwide. We support?—”
“Blah blah blah,” Denise said. “We all know how important you are. And how soulless that company is.”
“Don’t say that, Mom,” Ashlyn said from behind me. “Aunt Bridget is awesome.”
I whirled around to gather my niece into my arms. “Where did you come from?”
“Mom sent me to get ice cream so they could talk about grown-up things,” she said. “I missed you.”
I wiped a smudge of chocolate from her chin. “I missed you too. I hope I can make it to your choir concert next week.”
“Me too. But I don’t have a solo or anything.” She ducked her head.
“That’s okay. Singing with the group is fun too.”
“Mom said you were the top soloist.”
“Bridget always had to be the star,” Megan said. “Still does.”
