Meg and Jo exchanged glances. “I guess only he can answer that,” Meg said.
I swept, lulled by the mindless task, falling into the familiar rhythm of working with my sisters. “Whatever happens, we have each other,” we used to say. For better or for worse.
The words tumbled in my head, forming a string of melody. I caught myself humming, keeping time with the broom.In good timesand in bad... Whatever happens—something something—what we once had...
Alec and the girl, Nan, returned with fruit for the bar. Jo went back to her glassware. Meg continued to line up forks with mathematical precision.
“So, you want to hang out sometime?” Alec asked.
“Alec, stop harassing my staff,” Eric said.
I blinked, raising my head.
Jo’s husband had appeared from the kitchen, his professional chef’s coat unbuttoned at the neck.
Alec grinned at his dad. “You hit on Jo when she worked for you.”
Jo laughed. “He’s got you there, Chef.”
“Actually, Jo hit on him,” Meg said.
“It’s true,” Eric said solemnly. “I cannot resist her.” He kissed his wife before turning to me. “Beth, you have missed lunch. I will cook for you.”
My stomach growled. The words and music scattered.
“Oh, that would be... Don’t you have to get ready for the opening?”
“All will be well. The kitchen is ready. The students...” He smiled at Nan. “You are almost ready, yeah?”
“You bet. I mean, yes, Chef.”
“Besides, tomorrow is a soft open,” Eric said.
“Soft open?”
“Friends and family,” Jo explained.
“So, basically another wedding,” Amy said.
Eric smiled at me. “I make your grandmother’s chicken and rice. With a few changes. Come and taste.”
A whisper rose inside me, like smoke gliding across the ground.
“I will tomorrow,” I said. “It sounds great. But I already ate. At the rehab center.”
“What were you doing at rehab?” Meg asked.
“Visiting Mr. Laurence,” Jo guessed.
“Not only Mr. Laurence.” I started loading Amy’s finished vasesonto a tray, keeping my head down. “Dad asked me to play for some of the patients he sees.”
My sisters glanced at one another.
“How often are you going?” Meg asked.
“Almost every day this week,” Amy said. I shot her a hunted look. She shrugged. “Hey, you told on me. Payback’s a bitch.”
Meg made ahmmsound, not judging, just... Okay, totally judging.
