Lifting my arms overhead I say, “Of course they do!” then head into the bathroom.
I’m tying the sash on the other spa robe when I hear, “I saw Lilith set the timer on the coffeepot. Maybe she decided to sleep in.”
“Don’t get your hopes up,” I say with a mouthful of toothpaste.
***
While creeping down the stairs, we hear the whooshing of the milk steamer on Lilith’s cappuccino machine. I turn to Sallie and mouth, “Told you.”
When we poke our heads in the kitchen, Lilith has her back to us, expertly bobbing a metal cup under the arm of the steamer. Due to the noise, she doesn’t hear us walk in.
Gwen is seated at the island behind her, holding a frothy mug of cappuccino with both hands. Banana and kiwi slices, raspberries, and a chocolate croissant are on a plate in front of her. When she sees us, she rolls her eyes dramatically.
The sound of the steamer stops abruptly and Lilith turns around. She seems surprised to see Sallie and me. “Good morning, ladies, did y’all sleep well?”
I pull out a stool. “All three hours of it.”
“If that,” Sallie says, settling down herself.
“I have some surprises for y’all this morning.” I watch Lilith pick up a mug and fill it with steamed milk, then garnish it with chocolate shavings and a rock candy stir-stick. “Who’s first?”
Sallie shifts in her seat. “Give it to Wilda. She needs it the most.”
When Lilith hands over the mug, she gives me an impenetrable grin.Hmm,I think,what does that face mean?“Thank you, Lilith. I feel like I’m at a restaurant,” I say, mimicking her grin.
“You sound like Gage. He tells Rosetta that every night after supper.” Once she’s finished making a coffee for Sallie, she slides it to her, then glances up at the large watchmaker’s clock on the wall. “Fifteen minutes till y’all upload the list. We’re almost home free.”
Home free until she finds out about Annie Laurie. Then all hell will break loose.
“Thank God,” Sallie says, sniffing the aroma before taking a sip.
“All in the name of sisterhood.” Lilith lays down the towel she’s been using to wipe the steamer. “Enjoy your cappuccinos, ladies. I’ll be back in a flash.” She grips the doorframe. “I have one more surprise for y’all.”
“Lilith, please,” Gwen says. “You’ve given us everything we could ever need for the rest of our lives.”
“Pooh.” She swipes away Gwen’s compliment and strolls off toward her bedroom.
When she’s out of earshot, the three of us start whispering.
“This is getting weird,” Gwen says with a sour expression. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m creeped out.”
Sallie whispers, “It’s almost like she knows something’s up with Annie Laurie. And she’s doing whatever she can to change the outcome.”
I squeeze my temples with both hands. “Why didn’t I encourage Ellie to go to UT? I could have saved my family misery.” I look at Sallie. “And money.”
Her nose flares. “I always wondered why I didn’t have daughters. Now I don’t have to wonder anymore.” She slaps the counter and laughs.
“I don’t think I want children,” Gwen says. “After watching this whole thing go down. No thanks.”
“I’m turning in my pin,” Sallie whispers. “I swear. I am turning it in.”
“Back at ya.” Gwen takes another sip of her cappuccino. “Even I’m rattled. And I’m usually calm in the face of adversity.”
“Triumph over adversity,” Sallie says. Then looks toward Lilith’s bedroom. “What’s taking her so long?”
Gwen and I look at each other and shrug. “Who knows?” I say.
Sallie reaches across me for a chocolate croissant. “I can’t even imagine how you feel, Wilda.” She turns to Gwen. “At least we don’t have a daughter rooming with Annie Laurie.”
