In reality, I care less about my unattained goals and more about hiding the fact I'm a floozy who slept with her stepbrother. Benny will know right away if something scandalous is afoot, so he will be the best judge of character.
When I'm downstairs, Molly is wearing a tie-dye shirt and jean capris. It makes me do a double take, because it looks like something my mom would have worn.
"Hi, hun! You look perfect."
"Thanks." I look down at my simple attire and wrangle my hair into a messy top knot.
"It's going to be hot today." She pours me a red beverage and adds a blue and white straw to it.
"What's this?"
"A Kool-Aid refresher."
"Thanks, I haven't had this in forever."
"Remember Theo was obsessed with it that summer? I feel like I was always buying him more. Ah, I forgot about the flowers. I'll be right back."
When she's out of the kitchen, I grab the vodka bottle from the freezer and add some to my drink. A little buzz won't hurt. After today, I'm going to cut it off until I find a steady job.
I've set an email alert to notify me of any career related postings as they pop up. And so far nothing has come close to what I'm qualified for. But I'm hopeful.
Molly returns carrying bouquets of blossoming flowers for the tables outside.
"Those are beautiful. What are they?"
"This white bunch is gardenias and freesias. These blue ones are a scattering of hydrangeas and delphiniums."
"They smell amazing. Do you need any help?"
"That would be great. Can you grab the blue one and follow me?"
As we leave for the backyard, my ears perk up when Theo's door closes.
Don't be awkward, Amelia.
Molly arranges the tables so they look perfect with the bouquets.
Theo joins us outside wearing nothing but navy blue shorts.
His dirty blond hair has grown in nicely since our first day back, and the longer pieces in the front fall effortlessly into his eyes. I'm powerless as I reach to brush them away. But my hand obeys, and I give a simple wave instead.
"Morning," I begin, doing my best impression of someone who didn't have her world rocked on that very chair hours ago. "I didn't realize when you said you had nothing to wear today, that meant no clothes at all."
"I'm wearing shorts. You're lucky you're getting that."
Molly registers her son's lack of attire and gasps, "What was my rule about wearing clothes around Amelia?"
I look at her in horror. "Oh my gosh, whatrule?"
"I mean, I didn't want Theo walking around like he’s at a singles mixer. It's not appropriate. You're his stepsister."
A guffaw erupts from my throat, and I clear it with a cough.
"Can you put a shirt on? At least for when the guests arrive?" she requests.
Theo does a military salute like he's been dismissed.
"Sorry, Theo knows better."
