My phone beeped, and a message from our oldest sister flashed on Kat’s console.
Oh, no. I wished she'd asked earlier. We were almost home.
I dragged my nail across my flaking lips. Maybe I could use one of the family cars to do a fast food run. But it was too late. Too dark. She could order something. But she was trying to save money for the baby. My college fund would survive one late-night snack run. I checked a delivery app to see what was open.
Kat glanced over. “You’re too sweet for your own good.”
I set my phone down. “Hmm?”
My sister parked in our parents’ driveway and turned to me, serious. “You’re supposed to be using this break to take care of yourself, right? Regroup and evaluate your next steps?”
“Yes.” I tensed. I was doing all that.
She gestured to the house. “Jen’s gonna be a mom soon. She has to figure her shit out. And I don’t wanna sound harsh, but right now, so do you.”
“R-right.” I fumbled to unlock my seatbelt. “I just want to be there for her.”
“At what cost, though?” Kat knit her brows.
“I don’t know.” Surely, even on Closette pay, I could afford to get her a late-night snack.
“Think about it,” Kat said.
I squirmed, not sure what to say to that. Sure, Jen and I weren’t as independent as Kat. But this phase wouldn’t last forever.
“Do you want to come in, just for a minute? Maybe until Victor gets off?” I suggested. She could make up with our sister. Visit our parents. Raid the fridge.
“No thanks.” She switched the speaker input to her phone, probably eager to call her boyfriend and go home to her cat.
“Okay, well, thanks again for the ride.” I attempted a smile. “I should be able to drive again soon.”
“You’ll get there. And I’ll help when I can.” She gave me a sincere car hug, the kind that tightened until I wheezed something between a laugh and a sob. I wasn’t sad. Just exhausted. Relieved, maybe, that she still loved me, despite everything.
I hurried in through the garage, then pressed the button to close it again. The rattling door shook loose a few insecurities.
Would she ever want to hang out here again besides awkward holidays where she was glued to her protective boyfriend and his corset vests?
I peeked over my shoulder. A cell phone cast a severe glow on Kat’s dark features, but when she glanced up, the moon highlighted her whole heart-shaped face. She grinned and waved, waiting for me to get in okay.
I smiled and waved. One day, she’d come in. I was sure of it.
I just had to work a little harder to mend the hurt between all of us.
Once I was inside, the reclining chair in the living room squeaked as I removed my shoes.
Jen’s voice warbled over the television. “Tori? Did you get me anything?”
“Um, no. We were almost home. But I can order something,” I said, keeping my tone upbeat.
The chair squeaked, and she sighed.
Was she upset or hangry? Hormones did weird things.
I padded to the living room, guilt bobbing in the back of my throat at my sister curled-up in a chip-dusted blanket, her listless gaze fixed on a rerun from a teen show long since canceled.
She must’ve had a rough day.
