No way. Doormat Val is gone.Whatdo I do,Lord?
“We’re never going to go back to the way it was. Where I was at your beck and call and did whatever you want. But maybe one day we can be true friends for real.” I pause, then plunge ahead. “And you might want to go talk to Fran too. She deserves an apology. You haven’t been kind to her over the years.”
Our baby sister is going to need our support because Dad is still walking around like she personally offended him. Not to mention, Mom is too busy chastising her and letting her know she’s not ready to be a parent.
“Fran’s not the most reliable.”
“Everything is different now. She needs her sisters.”
Jackie gives a one-shoulder shrug. “Maybe.”
She stares at her hands, and I wait for more. Honestly, I’m mentally drained by this conversation and old Val wants to end it and recoup.
“Are you going to keep dating Jabari?”
“I am. I really like him, Jackie.”I love him. I want you to accepthim like I’ve accepted Isaac. Why can’t youjust understand the world doesn’t revolve around you?Yet I can see why accepting my older sister for who she is—a spoiled, entitled brat—will make reality better for me. I don’t have to make excuses for her any longer. She’s a grown woman and will have to deal with the consequences of her actions herself, not me.
“I can tell.” She shifts. “Val, you deserve happiness. You’ve always been the best of us Elliott girls.”
Guess that’s as close to acceptance as I’ll get. “It’s not a competition. I hope you know that.”
Jackie leaves and I exhale. Fatigue makes my eyelids droop and my body wilts under the words we exchanged. I grab the plastic water pot from my desk drawer and start singing to my plants. Singing helps me unwind and will loosen the knots that developed while speaking to Jackie.
“Your mother loved that song.”
At the sound of Dad’s voice, I spin around. “I don’t remember her liking the Beatles.”
“She’s not what you’d call a fan, but she did enjoy that song.”
I set the pot on the edge of my desk. “Do we have a lunch appointment?” I ask, reaching for my desk calendar.
“No, nothing until tomorrow.”
Oh, phew. Dad rarely visits my office, but when he does, it’s usually because we have a meeting. “What’s up?”
“I wanted to have you girls over for dinner tonight. Are you busy or...” He pauses, eyeing me warily. “Are you meeting Jabari?”
“Actually we aren’t getting together tonight. He’s got a youth event he’s attending.” Which stinks. I like seeing his handsome face on a daily basis. Seeing him in New York and Jersey allowed me to get a glimpse of what our future could hold. Plus, I haven’t seen him since Sunday. I miss him, though we’ve kept up a steady stream of voice texts every day.
“Okay, then you’ll come?”
“Sure.”
“Good. Fran and Jackie already agreed as well. I’ll give you a ride if one of the girls doesn’t offer.”
“Okay.”
I didn’t drive to work today, but Fran did. She usually does because she has to wine and dine clients and wants the freedom of her own car. I send a text asking her for a ride.
Of course you can ride with me. We have a lot to talk about.
Is this about her baby? Jackie? Or something else?
The rest of the day crawls by. I answer phone calls, send out emails, sit in a couple of boring meetings, then type up notes for those who didn’t attend. Finally, the clock hits five. I grab my jacket and bag and stroll down the hall toward my little sister’s office.
I stick my head in her room. “You ready?”
“So ready.” She stands up and points to her middle. “Do you see this?”
