Kylie called as Sienna was finishing the last bite of her Whopper. She picked up her phone while she was still chewing and said a muffled hello.
“Burger King run?”
“How’d you know?”
“I think we synced up when I came to visit. I just polished off a pint of chocolate ice cream,” Kylie answered. “So? Is your husband moving back in?”
A swell of pride caused Sienna to sit a fraction of an inch taller. “I told him I wasn’t ready.”
“Good for you! How’d that feel?”
“It was okay. I mean, a little scary, but then after I said it, I realized the world didn’t burst into flames or anything.”
“And how did he handle it?”
“I could tell he wasn’t happy, but he had the sense not to whine about it. Plus, I’m already going to the concert, and that’s a huge freaking ask.”
“You’re still planning to go, despite my most excellent advice to the contrary?”
“I owe it to Mike.”
“I guess. So? Did what’s-his-nuts figure out an alternative place to live?”
Sienna had a sip of her milkshake. “He just bought the house he’s in. It’s easier that way.”
“Problem solved. How are the kids taking it?”
“Not great. They argue over every little thing under the sun. And yesterday, Parker punched a boy at judo and gave him a bloody nose, so his sensei told him he’s not allowed to go to the competition this weekend, which is devastating for him. Judo is the only thing he feels good about lately. I get why his sensei did it, but still … my heart.” She put one hand over her chest, even though no one was there to see it.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Poor kid.”
She picked up another fry. “It hardly seems fair, to be honest. I have half a mind to go talk to the head of the dojo. Everyone there knows what’s going on with Zane and me. Well, not really, but you know. They could cut him some slack, couldn’t they?”
“They could, but would it help Parker? Like, in the long run isn’t it better if he learns to control his temper now, instead of when he’s a man and winds up with a criminal record?”
“I suppose, but doesn’t it seem cruel to make the poor kid learn that at the same time that his whole life is falling apart?”
“Or maybe it’s better to get all the shit over with at once…”
“Hmph, yeah, maybe.” The subject of her son felt too raw to talk about. She knew Kylie loved Parker, but she didn’t understand the pain of watching your child learn life’shardest lessons. She decided to veer the conversation in a safer direction. “I’ve been giving a lot of thought to what you said, about a new career.”
“Oooh! Really?!”
“Well, daydreaming a little. I think I would’ve liked to have been Martha Stewart in another life.”
“You mean you want to make people feel bad about their homes and their culinary skills?”
Dipping another fry in some ketchup, she popped it in her mouth. “That’s not what she does. She’s turned domestic pursuits into an art form—teaching women how to make everything in their homes and yards beautiful.”
“Meh, I think she set the bar too high for most women to reach.”
“Says the runway model turned luxury brand designer,” Sienna answered.
“Regular people don’t even see my line in the stores they’re at, so it doesn’t affect them, anyway. Martha’s got her magazine on every check-out rack at every Walmart in America. Plus, she shows up on the TV every day, showing off all her ‘good things.’”
“You got me there. But think of it this way: a person can cook a meal, let’s say macaroni from a box with some cut-up wieners in it. It’ll fill you up, but it’s not special, and if you make that, you’re telling yourselfyou’renot special. You’re just macaroni and wieners.” She took a bite of her fry and kept talking. “But if you make spaghetti with a homemade sauce made from things you picked in your own garden and have it with … I don’t know … braised lamb, you’re treating yourself like a queen.”
“Braised lamb ain’t cheap like wieners.”
