A chuckle rumbles up from somewhere deep and forgotten, and I blush slightly.“I suppose it was.”
“I’ll take it,” she giggles.
I spend an exorbitant amount of money at the store, but I’ve saved and can afford this rare splurge.Ivy insists I have enough outfits for the week, and she offers to coordinate them in my closet so that all I have to do is dress and go.We stop at a coffee shop for a late breakfast before going to a shoe store.Sensible flats, dressy sandals, and white sneakers complete the outfits.She insists on one last stop at a department store.
“Dad says you’re sleeping in the hammock,” she says, taking me to the bedding department.
“Yes, on some nights,” I answer, sure I’ll sleep there tonight.The bed won’t be comfortable without Henry in it.
“A body pillow and weighted blanket might help.”She heaves a soft lavender blanket into our cart.
“Perhaps,” I say, willing to try anything.
“What else will make your stay with us better?”she asks, hands on hips and smile wide.
Her kindness is taking me slightly off guard.“I don’t know.I’ve been living in ships, tents, and hostels.I’m not fussy?—”
My eyes catch on a fuzzy lavender reading pillow, and I beeline for it.I take it into my arms like a lost friend, squeezing it tightly.
“I need this,” I tell her, dumping it into a cart.
She giggles again.“That’s the spirit.”
We return home and lug our bounty upstairs.She coordinates the clothes into complete outfits, as promised.I take the tags off my new pillows and blanket, arranging them just so.
“Thank you.You’ve been extremely helpful.”
“That’s what sisters are for.Want to go to lunch?”
“Can’t.I’m installing Henry’s garden today, in one visit—not two as originally planned.The equipment is there, but I still have to harvest the plants from the outskirts of our garden, as Dad instructed.”But fearing I’ve disappointed her, I add, “I would any other day.”
She smiles, but it quickly turns to concern.“Is that a good idea?Seeing Henry so soon after your sex-fest?Won’t it… hurt to be close to him now that it’s over?”
I shrug.“I’m used to hurting over Henry.It’s a task that needs to be done.”
She places her dainty hand on my arm over my tattoos and squeezes gently.“You shouldn’thurtover Henry.You should either find a way to be together or move on to someone else.”
I consider her options.“We can’t be together, and there is no one else for me.But perhapshecan move on now.That’s what I hope for him.”
She groans.“You’ve always loved him.Plus, hot sex.You should hope for a chance with him rather than assuming you must live without him.Come on, genius.Work it out.”
“Factoring in our careers, his child and the dynamics associated with parenthood and blended families, past disappointments and problems between us, as well as a myriad of other logistics… the probability of our finding happiness together is abysmally low.”
She perks up.“So!Thereisa chance!”
I smirk, though she fails to see the big picture.It would go against her nature to view it realistically rather than idealistically.Or romantically.
She joins me in the garden where I collect healthy flytraps and pitcher plants—outliers in the expansive bog that won’t thrive long term due to encroachment by other forest plants—and she assists.By that I mean, she holds the plastic tubs to carry the plants in, not that she gets her hands dirty.But any help is appreciated.
She talks nearly the entire time—about Gil, her work, Dad, and Christie—in a very stream-of-consciousness manner that is often difficult to follow.But I do my best.
Finally, we load the plastic bins into the Land Rover.I gather my fanny pack, carrying my additional tools and testers, and strap it over my jean shorts.
Ivy gives me a once-over.“Well, you won’t win any hearts with that outfit, but you’ll get the job done.”
“That’s the goal.Thanks for your help today.It was… nice.”
She grins and bats her eyes in an overdramatic way that forces me to laugh.“Having a sisterisnice, silly goose!Oh, before you go, I have an itty-bitty favor to ask.”
