I lie down on my rug and groan. “I can’t believe myself.”
Betty is squawking so loud that Marcella lets her out of her cage and the chaotic flapping of her wings is a nice distraction for a second. We both stare at her as she swoops overhead before perching on the back of the sofa, near but not on me. I feel her judgment.
“So, am I right in assuming that Ellis and Daniel were fighting over you like two macho losers?”
Somehow, I manage to let out a huff of laughter. “Yes, you are correct.”
“And am I right in assuming it’s because Daniel caught you two in a compromising position?” She is keeping her voice even, to her credit. As if this isn’t the juiciest shit she’s ever heard.
“Kind of. We had just…finished. Making out! That’s it!” I say quickly before Marcella can spontaneously combust. “But it was clear what we were doing.”
“You chose today of all days to go for a bold lip,” she says sadly. “Years of me trying to convince you and this is how it happens.”
The hilarity of the situation cannot be avoided and soon we’re laughing so hard tears are coming out of my eyes, the kind of manic laughter that can turn into true tears on a dime. I take the wine from her and take a gulp. “Ellis said he loved me.”
“Oh my god. This guy!” But she’s not mad, she’s in love with him, too. “And?”
“And…” I stare off into the distance, my eyes catching on the sycamore tree that needs pruning in my front yard. My chest clenches. “And I didn’t say anything.”
Mar’s quiet.
“And then he left.”
A sigh as big as the world leaves her. “Damn.”
“Yeah. I think I like Ellis more than Daniel. Actually, I think maybe I love him.”
Marcella nods her head. “This is…obvious to me.”
I throw a pillow at her head. “But was it just because he was there first? Maybe because I can’t have him, knowing my fate, I keep getting tempted?”
“Tempted? Who are you, Jesus?”
“No, but I would have to be to resist Ellis.”
“Okay, wow.” Marcella sits up straighter, her back against my Danish armchair, and runs her hands through her hair. “I am seeing how deep your feelings for Ellis are if you are actingthischaotic. Cass, you need to—”
She’s interrupted by a knock on the door. Mar gives me aquestioning look then walks to the door and looks through the keyhole. “It’s Sunny.”
I sit up as she opens the door. Sunny rushes in, looking strangely disheveled despite her usual impeccable outfit. “Is everything okay?” I ask her, alarmed.
Her eyes stay on her feet as she takes off her slingback heels. “Not really. We have to talk.”
The serious tone makes me panic. “Is it Halmoni? Stu? You?”
She waves her hand in the air. “No, no, everyone’s okay. But…well.” She glances at Mar. “Can we have a moment alone?”
Mar looks surprised but nods. “Of course! I’ll head out actually, to give you two some privacy.” She grabs her bag and then gives me a tight hug. “Call me later, okay?”
When she leaves, Sunny sits on the sofa and pulls her legs up into herself, making herself into a tiny ball. Her unease is palpable, and I nurse a tiny kernel of panic as I sit in my armchair. “Okay, what’s going on?”
“I really don’t know where to start,” she says, her voice low and shaking a little. She’s twisting her fingers in her lap. “Um, maybe I’ll start with how your parents met.”
A prickle up my spine. “My parents?”
She nods. “Yes, your parents. You know how they met, right?”
“Yeah.” I’m trying to make heads or tails of why Sunny wants to talk about this right now. “They met at art school.”
