“So, when you think about your life in five years, what do you want to be doing?”
“Aren’t I supposed to imagine what I want? Kind of like dream it up or something?”
“Yes, but wanting something and executing it are two very different things. Dial in your focus. What kind of work do you want to be knee-deep in?” Maggie tilts her head, waiting for Nia’s response.
“Huh, I never thought of it that way,” Nia murmurs. “Is that how you ended up a photojournalist?”
“Kind of. I’ve had a camera around my neck since I was a little girl. When it was my turn to do this sort of thing, to make the choice of what I wanted to be knee-deep in, it was always going to be photography. The journalism thing made my dream legit.”
“Oh man, I am not that smart,” Nia grumbles.
“Smart isn’t everything. Persistence, passion, hard work? Those three will trump the nerdy stuff every time, but something tells me you’re plenty smart enough.”
“Can I be your sister please? Gemma’s never taught me anything like this, not even Kayley.” Nia looks desperate, her hands pressed together in a prayer gesture.
I chuckle at the sentiment, but deep down, I would move heaven and earth for the chance to keep this woman in our little family.
“Hey! I heard that, Nina-nincompoop.” Gemma gives her the side-eye.
Nia rolls her eyes.
“Really? The poop jokes again? Mature,Germa.”
Gemma flips her off, and Mom gives them both a heated look.
“Sorry, Mama,” Nia says as Gemma mumbles, “My bad, Mom.”
I’m leaning back on the sofa, my attention now split between the television and my sisters, when we hear the front door open.
“Howdy, gang, I’m home!” Kayley calls. Something like boots being dropped at the front door echoes down the hallway before footsteps pad toward us. “Sorry I’m late. Had to help Dane unload more stock. I swear those trucks are coming in later and later.”
She slumps into the sofa by me and thumps my shoulder. “Oh hi, Maggie. Almost didn’t see you there. What are you two doing?”
“Maggie is helping me plan my career,” Nia says, a grin on her pretty face.
“Well, I’m only giving you input. The planning part and all the work is up to you,” Maggie adds. “Hey, Kayley.”
“Urgh, you’re better than me. I hate planning stuff. Give me some hard work and a reason to turn up the next day.” She leans back, huffing a breath. Maggie helps Nia sort out the pictures she wants to keep and which ones are not really her thing.
“Well, I better check the roast.” Mom pushes from her chair and Kales goes to help. I go to peel myself out of the sofa to lend a hand, and Maggie’s hand rests on my knee. “I’ll go, rest your knee.”
She’s up and out in the kitchen a beat later.
Nia packs away her vision board and plonks her butt beside me on the sofa. “You gonna marry her, Hads? Please tell me we get to keep her.”
I mess up her short brown hair with my hand and hug her into my side. “No idea, kiddo, just taking it day by day.”
“Ugh, you men. You know all of this noncommittal shit is getting old.” Gemma storms out.
“What’s that about?” I ask.
“Tommy broke up with her.”
“Oh damn, really? Hell, I’ll talk to her later.”
“I’d take your time. She’s like a cut snake on fire about it.”
“I bet. You’re okay though, Nini?”
