“The tortoise and the hare. We’re both moving toward goals, we just do it differently. You leap without thinking, all or nothing. If it falls apart, you’re crushed. Me? I move slow, steady. I overthink everything. But when things go wrong, I have back up plans in place so I can brush it off and move on. What’s so wrong with that?”
To Beth’s logical way of thinking, it made perfect sense. To Lynn’s emotion-based reasoning, it made the perfect insult.
“Great. So once again, you win in the end, and I lose.”
“WHAT!”
Lynn gathered a mass of red curls and flung them over her shoulder, pointing up at her sister.
“I know the story. I know the tortoise wins in the end. You’re the winner.” Lynn said, jabbing a finger into her sister’s breastbone before turning that finger back on herself. “I’m the loser.”
“For crying out loud, Lynn!” Beth exclaimed, rubbing where she had just been jabbed. “What are you, five? There’s not actually a carrot at the end. What do you think I’m winning?”
“Life, evidently. But how would I know? You’re the one who said it was a race!”
“I said it was an analogy—not the Hunger Games. Besides, I’d rather be compared to a tortoise than a witch.”
“Whatever.” Lynn paused, the original offense coming back to her. “Why do you always take Dad’s side?”
“I wasn’t taking sides. I was pointing out that you misunderstood what he said.”
“Oh really? I assume the ‘mistake’ he was referring to was my engagement—the one I apparently won’t bounce back from. What was your mistake, Beth? Wearing the wrong shoes with an outfit? Gonna turn it into a fashion trend?”
They were practically nose to nose, despite the eight-inch height difference, voices sharp.
“Oh, grow up, CaroLynn. Like I’d ever wear the wrong shoes with an outfit. Do you even know me?” Beth tossed her hair dramatically, throwing in her best cheerleader voice.
Lynn cracked a reluctant grin, her anger easing.
“Like it or not, my wild little sister, you always leap from one thing to the next. We love you so that makes us worry you’re rushing into this engagement.”
“I don’t leap,” Lynn huffed, arms crossed.
“Where do you work right now?”
“I don’t leap. I like change.”
“Oh really? What’s your major now?”
“Shut up. You took a year off too.”
“Yes, from nursing school. I went back and finished nursing school. One major, start to finish. You? You’ve leapt all over the academic catalog like a leprechaun. Your green top hat and pipe should be arriving any day now.”
“You’re not funny. Don’t bring my height OR my red hair into this. I’m not a freaking leprechaun and I’m not leaping.”
“You’ve known the guy two weeks.” Beth held two fingers in front of Lynn’s face to emphasize her point.
“His name’s Rick! IF it were YOU getting engaged after two weeks, everyone would assume God Himself wrote it on the wall. They’d throw you bridal showers and celebrate your upcoming wedded bliss.” Lynn gestured wildly as she spoke.
“Probably. But only because I’m not known for rash decisions.”
“So, what? Just because I don’t have the ‘God Stamp of Approval’ doesn’t mean I’m making a mistake.”
“You’re right—it is your choice. And we’re your family. It’s our job to love you enough to look out for you, even if it makesyou mad. You’re right—it might not be a mistake to get married after a couple weeks. But we don’t know him. Instead of getting mad and doing it just to spite us, just... consider it. Give it time. If it’s not a mistake to marry Rick, you’ll know.”
“WHY are you always so sure of EVERYTHING?”
“What? I’m not. I just see the logic of waiting before jumping in. That’s all.”
