“It’s”—the only word to use here is—“complicated.” And frustrating and sad. But the only thing I’m concerned about right now is my dad.
“Where was he? What was Dad doing?”
“Gardening.” Connie is the one to answer. “Planting his tomatoes or something. At least I think that’s what Mom said.” She looks over at me. “She was pretty upset.”
“I’ll bet she was.” The two of them are like peas in a pod. It’s what I want. I want a relationship like theirs. They’re friends above everything else. Best friends. They enjoy spending time together, and that’s priceless. “Mom would be lost without him.”
“She would miss him, sure, but I think she’d be okay.” Connie sounds almost flippant, and it makes me angry.
“How can you say that? They’re the perfect couple.” Hell, my father is the perfect man.
“They aren’t perfect.” Carla snorts. “They’ve had ups and downs.”
“A lot of ups and downs,” Candy adds.
“Well…” I don’t remember the downs, I guess.
“You’re just too young, Colette.” Connie pats my leg.
I hate when they tell me I’m too young for things. They’ve always done it.
“I know they aren’t perfect. No one is. But together they’re pretty perfect.”
Connie snorts.
Or is it Carla?
Maybe it was both of them.
“What?”
“They aren’t perfect together. Far from it.” Connie pats my leg again, and I want to slap it away.
I hate when my sisters think they’re helping when they do this.
“Youthink Dad’s perfect,” states Candy.
“Iknowhe’s perfect.” Because he is.
The three of my irritating sisters are quiet.
Too quiet.
“We should tell her,” Carla says in a low voice.
“No.” Carla shakes her head. “Not here. Not now.”
“Yes.” Connie nods. “It’s time.”
“Time for what?” I don’t like the sound of this. Not at all. “Tell me what?”
One or two of them sigh like they’ve been carrying a weighty burden.
“I’ll do it.” Candy makes it sound like she’s the brave one.
I turn to face her. I’m ready for whatever bullshit she’s got to say, then I’m going to punch all three of them in their tits. I’ve had it with them. They thrive on drama.
“I’m just going to spit it out.”
