“Yes, there is. You’ve always been territorial, but you’ve never been physically violent.”
I straightened. “I wouldn’t lay a hand on you.”
“I didn’t know that,” Jenna said. “You scared me. You backed me against the wall and acted like you were going to hurt me if I didn’t tell you what you wanted to know.”
This time it was me who had trouble meeting her eyes.
“You won’t even let us come to visit you.”
“You know I don’t like it when people just drop by. I’ve told you and everyone else to call before you come over.”
“Why? So, you can make up some excuse to get out of a visit?” she said.
“That’s not true.”
She gave me a look—the one our mom used to give us to let us know she was on to our game. “The last four times I’ve called to set up lunch or a movie you’ve always had some reason why you couldn’t get together.”
Well, yeah. Vampires couldn’t go out during the day. At least this one, anyway. I couldn’t tell her that, though.
“Of course, I have an excuse. I work nights. Day time is when I sleep. Sorry I don’t interrupt my sleep schedule to keep you amused.”
She ignored the sarcasm. “Why are you even working in that job? You have a degree. Mom and Dad didn’t put you through college so you could be a delivery girl. You still have the GI Bill if you need more education.”
“Is that why you’re here? To talk to me about my job?”
My baby sister was lecturing me about my life decisions. Great.
A thought occurred to me. “Did Mom put you up to this?”
“No, of course not.”
I could tell by the way she avoided my eyes that she was lying. I stayed silent. She’d never been able to resist talking if one of us just waited her out.
“So, what if she did,” Jenna burst out. “She’s worried about you.”
My laugh was harsh. “Of course, she is. I’m not on the path she planned for me.”
“You know it’s not that,” Jenna protested.
I arched an eyebrow at her. We both knew that wasn’t true. My mom had been disappointed in me ever since I had graduated college and decided to join the military and fight for my country, instead of going on to get my law degree.
“Tell her and everyone else that I’m fine.”
Jenna voice was sad when she asked, “Are you? The first thing you did when you woke up was head for the wine. You got violently angry when you thought you couldn’t get your fix. You know what that’s a sign of.”
“Spare me the sanctimonious preaching, Miss Unwed-Mom.”
Jenna looked like I’d slapped her. She bowed her head and adjusted the plates. I shouldn’t have said that. I’d gone too far bringing Linda into this. Linda’s father was Jenna’s only mistake. He was a married businessman who knocked her up and then refused to take any responsibility for his actions.
“Jenna, I’m sorry.”
Jenna held up a hand, stopping me.
“Whether you want to admit it or not, you need help.”
“And, we’re done.” I pushed away from the counter and grabbed my jacket from where I’d thrown it over the couch. I’d heard this speech before.
“I have to go to work. Please see yourself out and leave the key on the counter.”
