“Oh, Raelynn is Haven’s daughter, not her sister,” Lizzie says. “And don’t get all judgy over there.”
“I wasn’t getting judgy, promise.” I raise my hands in denial. “Teen dad, remember?”
“Yeah. Well, it’s kind of a…complicated story.”
“That’s one word for it,” Amelia mutters.
“Fucked up fits, too. But Haven’s one of the strongest people we know. We’re proud as hell of that girl, aren’t we, Min?” Lizzie bumps her shoulder into Amelia’s.
“Fuck yeah, we are. She’s my hero.”
After another few minutes, Amelia looks around and then turns to Lizzie. “Where’s Calvin? He promised Aaron he would come.”
Lizzie glances at her phone and frowns. “I texted him this morning to remind him, then again at lunch since Mason’s cabin is an hour away.” She taps on the screen and her frown deepens a few seconds later. “His cell service is really shitty up there. And apparently the wifi went down, so he didn’t get my messages until just now.”
Amelia gets the look that tells me she’s pissed off. I’ve seen that look many times over the last year, like when clients try toswing deals too far in their favor. Or when the coffee shop is out of all the good pastries.
“Mmmhhmmm. Is he doing anything with you this week, Bean? Maybe, oh, I don’t know, meeting your dad or hanging out with your family before Saturday?”
“That was the plan, but every time we talk, it’s like more and more of his friends show up. And they’re not even here for the wedding, just to party all week.” Lizzie blows a piece of wayward hair out of her face. Amelia purses her lips. I know she wants to say more, but she holds herself back.
The kids win the game, and everyone starts piling into cars. Tiffany invites me over for dinner, and huffs when I tell her I already have plans with the Sinclairs. She glares at me and then yells at Travis and Aaron to get in the car. Her shrill voice makes me cringe.
Once we’re back at the house, Joan prepares burger and hot dog fixings while Barry starts the grill. I stand with him, drinking beer and shooting the breeze. He’s about ten years older than I am, but he says his kids keep him young.
“I never thought we’d have a houseful like we do, but now I can’t imagine life any other way.” He takes a swig of his beer and flips a few burgers. “You never wanted more kids after Lizzie?”
“I didn’t really think about it one way or another for a long time,” I reply, my tone somewhat melancholy.
He raises an eyebrow and gives me a knowing look. “And now you are?” he asks. I nod and he chuckles. “I’m guessing a woman’s at the center of that change. So why do you seem so down about it? And don’t give me any shit about being forty.”
“Pretty sure I fucked things up with her.” No way am I going into details or telling this man it’s his daughter I want that family with.
“There’s no hope of fixing it?” He has very expressive eyes,like Amelia’s, but not the same blue as hers. Sadness and sympathy for me pour out of them.
“I still have hope. I might always. But she’s not very… Well, to be honest, she’s pissed as hell at me and has good reason to be. I said some shit I didn’t really mean and I can’t expect her to just get over it, but since she won’t talk to me right now, I can’t exactly explain how I feel or beg for forgiveness, you know?”
He slaps me on the back. “You love her?”
“So fucking much.”
“Then you’ll figure out a way.”
“I’m working on it.”
They have a big backyard with multiple tables set up. Barry says they always automatically count on a few extra mouths to feed, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. Within a few minutes, the tables are filled with potato chips, potato salad, fruit, buns, condiments, and toppings. Amelia’s sister Christy puts on an apron and takes drink orders, writing them down on a notepad covered in cats.
A few minutes later, Amelia walks over, her arms full of soda cans. “Alright, I can’t read that kid’s handwriting for shit. If there’s nothing you like, go find it for your own damn self.”
I jump to help her set them down.
“Thanks.” She barely glances at me as she pulls more cans out of her back pockets. “There’s a pitcher of sweet tea and one of sad, non-sweet tea inside.”
Henry crawls out from under the closest table and latches onto her leg. “Juicejuicejuice!”
Amelia takes his hand in hers.
“Me, too, MinMin! Me, too!” Raelynn runs up, and Amelia takes her hand as well.
