“I’d like to meet her,” Eric said.
“But your boys...” I objected weakly.
“They have been asking about you since the airport. I want them to know you. I want to see you.”
“Invite him,” my mother said.
“Jo.” Eric’s voice was quiet. Serious. “‘Come,’you said. If this is the wrong time... If you have changed your mind...”
No running away.No pushing away.“No,” I said. “I want you.”
“Then I will be there.”
My heart swelled. “Stay for dinner,” I said recklessly. “You and the boys.”
“Everybody’s dying to meet them,” Amy said, loudly enough to be overheard.
Our mother gave her The Look.
“Thank you,” Eric said. “We may be a little late, but we will come. After two days of fast food, we all are hungry for a good meal.”
“Great. That’s... Great.”
We said good-bye. I sat there, stunned.
Meg smiled. “I should have brought another pie.”
Three hours until dinner. Then two. Then one. Beth cleaned. Amy set the table. I helped our mother in the kitchen while Meg got Daisy and DJ up from their nap.
Beth gave a contented sigh. “This is nice. All of us working together.”
Amy handed a spoon to DJ, who promptly stuck it in his mouth. “Like old times.”
We were still us, I thought, looking around at my sisters. There was no one else who shared our history, who spoke our secret language, who could summon the past or drive me crazy with a single word. And yet... “It’s the same,” I said. “But not the same.”
Meg cuddled Daisy, all rosy with sleep. “It’s more.”
“Because you girls are more,” our mother said. “I’m proud of you. Each one of you. Not just as my daughters, but because you’re all becoming wonderful women.”
“It’s a new beginning,” Beth said, her eyes shining.
Amy gave a little nod. “I’m launching my new brand this year.”
“I have a new business,” Meg said.
“And Jo has a new blog,” Beth said.
“A new book,” I said. Saying it out loud like that made it all the more real.
“Not to mention the new baby,” Meg said.
“What? Jo!”
“You’re pregnant?” Amy exclaimed, delighted. “You slut!”
Oops.
Meg gave me an apologetic look. “I thought you told them.”
