“Well, I actually called because I’ll be in the area in two weeks to meet with the fabric company. They’re in LA, and they invited me to see their samples in person. So I figured I’d just come early for the wedding. Maybe we can have lunch when I get here?”
“Definitely!” I can feel my grin taking over my face. It’s so hard having this dual-sided relationship with my sister. I love her so much, and I’ve always admired her. She’s my big sister, after all. But the way she bailed on our family when she turned eighteen, leaving without a backward glance, really hurt us for years. My parents still haven’t recovered. It doesn’t mean I don’t want the best for her, though, or that I don’t want to see her when she comes to visit. Besides, she’s going to be at the wedding, anyway. She’s part of the family, regardless of how weird things are between her and our parents.
“Awesome.” I can hear the relief in her voice. Was she nervous about asking to see me? It has been a while. I don’t think I’ve seen her in person in…a year? Maybe more? But she’ll always be my sister.
“Where are you staying?” I ask. “With Mom and Dad?”
“Uh, no. I’d rather not. I just figured I’d find an Airbnb somewhere around there.”
Her words sting a little. She’s about to come back home, but she can’t stay with our parents? How weird is that? They have plenty of space. But I guess I understand why she’d feel uncomfortable there.
The words fly out of my mouth before I have a chance to consider them. “Oh, you don’t have to do that. Come stay with me.”
She pauses. “Really?”
“Really. I have an extra bedroom.” For some reason I can’t explain, I feel a desperate need to have my sister close by at this point in my life.
“Okay, I’ll come. I’ll stay with you.”
I grin again. “Sounds good!”
“Is Zach around a lot?”
“No, not really. Don’t worry. You’ll have plenty of privacy.”
“Okay, cool.” She pauses, and I can hear her smile in her next words. “Thanks, Claire. This is going to be fun.”
“I think so.” We hang up, and I stare at my phone for a moment. It will be fun to have my sister around. But how will my mom react? I look at the dressing room door, wondering what she’ll say when I tell her. She’ll be happy, right?
Maybe I just won’t tell her. Not yet.
CHAPTER 32
Ryan
Only one weekof the semester left. Time to prepare the final exam in my cubicle.
Last semester’s final exam for Calculus 2 is on my computer screen, and I take a minute to scroll through it. Did I use that same problem for volumes of revolution on a midterm? I open my desk drawers, searching for an extra copy of the exam that I know is somewhere around here.
I don’t find the exam in this drawer, but I do come across my pile of pink sticky notes from Claire, the ones I refused to throw away when I was cleaning my office. I still haven’t made a decision about them. Should I have done that by now?
All sticky notes officially ceased once Zach set the date for their wedding. In fact, almost all communication with Claire has ended since the date was set a month ago.
I can’t say I blame her. Didn’t I do the same thing when she first got engaged? But the loss of her friendship hits differently this time.
When I first found out she was engaged, I was completely devastated, but those feelings were bubbling within me and pushing me forward. Anger, sadness, frustration with myself and the situation all piled up. And then it all changed after talking to Chase. I was full of hope. Confidence that I could win her over. Elation that we were spending time together again.
Now, I just feel numb.
No, she’s not married yet. And that was my reasoning for continuing to pursue her before. But she’s making her choice clear, and I don’t know what to do anymore.
I slam the sticky note drawer shut and move on to the next drawer, the one that’s full of old exams and scratch paper. As I riffle through the stack that’s easily two thousand sheets thick, my phone buzzes on my desk. I peek over and see an unknown number, but my phone says MAYBE: HALEAKALA COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
I’d assumed I didn’t qualify for an interview and resigned myself to a fall semester of utter torture with Claire married. I didn’t even tell my mom about the application, not wanting to get her hopes up in case there was no chance I’d actually move out there.
But maybe there is a chance.
I drop the papers on my desk and grab my phone, running out the back door of the office so I can take the call in privacy and not have to answer questions from Grace or Betsy.
