Regarding your question about Sean’s bedroom, I cannot think what would upset Sara so. The only unusual source of tension came from his graduation party. It weakened his body, as she predicted it would. However, I shouldn’t think it would cause her any lingering guilt, for she had been utterly correct and we, utterly wrong.
Where the twins were concerned, his last week was the most pleasant of my tenure. Their final evening together was filled with the kind of memories that should bring her peace.
Perhaps it is the sheer physical presence of his belongings. They could be all the more hurtful because she has worked so hard to pretend she is fine.
I don’t know that I’ve been helpful, but I would be happy to provide my counsel as often as you need. Please stay in touch.
Best,
Camarin
8
Less Risky to Please
My parents had an appointment with their therapist this morning. I opened the shop.
One of our most faithful customers came in, dragging along her tween granddaughter visiting from New York. The girl maintained an air of superior boredom until she spotted our collection of 1960s-era scarves. Then everything changed. She left with a groovy orange scarf wrapped around her waist.
I’d made a proposal to Mom about vintage clothing. I knew it could be a great seller, but she was still unconvinced. So we had one small table with a few items, and I would keep pushing for more. When people liked vintage, it became addictive.
My parents relieved me before lunch. On the way home, I detoured to the grocery store. We were out of chocolate chips, and I wanted to replenish the supply of cookies in our freezer.
I was trying to decide between mini-chips and chocolate chunks when someone stopped beside me.
“Hi, Sara.”
I turned my head, blinking at the distraction. It was Tonda Newton. A recent graduate, like me. More importantly, my brother’s ex. “Hi.”
“How are you?”
“Good.” We hadn’t spoken since the funeral. It was nice to see her, except her expression had softened into that look of impending sympathy, which I couldn’t deal with today. I pasted on a polite smile and said, “Ready for college?”
“Um, yeah. Almost.” She glowed with excitement. “I’m going to the University of Chicago. Did you know?”
Oh, wow. Tonda must’ve heard about Chicago through my brother. It’s where he’d planned to apply.
Was there no escape?
As rude as it might seem, I couldn’t talk about her college, so I would introduce a different subject. A safe subject. Something nice about her appearance. She’d cut her hair since graduation. It floated around her head in cute, wispy curls and exposed her earrings, a gorgeous confection of hammered copper and red fused glass. “Bold choice on the earrings.”
She flinched. “Sorry. We can’t all be perfect like you.”
“What?” I met her gaze, shocked. “I love your earrings. I was about to ask where you got them.”
Color heated her cheeks. “I thought...”
“You thought I was being snarky. Why would you believe that?”
“You never really liked me.”
“Not at all true.” She’d been great for my brother. That was more than enough reason for me to like her. “Where’d you get that idea?”
“You didn’t want anything to do with me and Sean.”
“His decision. He couldn’t stand Gryphon.” My brother and my former boyfriend hadn’t gotten along. It had been best to keep them apart.
“On our double-date to the junior prom, you acted pissed the entire night.”
