Julia couldn’t stand it a second more. “Can we just get her to eat something first, and then worry about her talking?” she cried.
Candace looked at her sharply.
Julia hadn’t meant to snap, but her little sister was not talking, barely sleeping, and eating even less. “I’ll make it,” she said, rising.
Her aunt did not try to stop her. As she went through the fridge, Julia wondered why Candace had come at all. She didn’t know a thing about kids, and she sure didn’t seem to want to learn.
As Julia cracked two eggs in a bowl and began whisking, Candace brought her teacup to the sink. For a moment Julia wondered if she’d come to help.
“Julia?” Her aunt’s voice was barely a whisper. “At your next therapy session, I think I ought to come with you.” Until then, theiraunt had dropped them off and picked them up at the front door. Not once had she come in.
“Okay,” Julia said uncertainly. She wondered if it was because of the way she’d just spoken. “Is there something you’re worried about?”
“Yes. It’s about Pippa’s bed-wetting.”
Julia let out her breath. “That only happened once.” She retrieved a frying pan from the corner cupboard and lit the range burner farthest away from Candace.
Candace frowned. “Your mother let you use a gas stove?”
She looked sideways at her aunt. “Actually, my dad did.”
If he’d been there, her dad would’ve taken over for her by now. He loved being in the middle of everything. If you were standing at the stove cooking, he’d appear at your side and start snacking on the ingredients. Then he’d hand you a spatula while he started in on a story. Then, before you knew it, he’d crack the eggs for you and take over the pan. It drove their mother nuts and made the girls laugh.
But there was no threat of that happening from Candace. “Well, Pippa’s too old for bed-wetting. I’m going to ask the therapist to draw up a behavior chart or something.”
Julia poured the eggs into the pan. “She just needs time.”
Candace was distracted by the clock on the stove. “Speaking of time, Attorney Banks is coming by. We have meetings all day. I’d appreciate it if you girls kept outdoors as much as possible, so we may work without interruption.”
Julia’s stomach fluttered at the mention of Mr. Banks. “Is this about my parents’ will?” She’d been wondering when someone was going to get around to telling her what was going on with that. Since Candace’s arrival, the focus had been on getting through each day: enduring the funeral, the onslaught of condolence cards and flowers and dishes of food. Just gettingdressed and eating breakfast each morning was sometimes almost impossible. But now there was a growing unease about the future. “You said Mr. Banks was planning to meet with us about the will.”
Candace hesitated. “Not today. First we’re reviewing paperwork and going over plans for the estate.”
It was not a real answer. “But what about us? We’re staying here, right?” Julia stared at her aunt for emphasis. “This is our home.”
Candace sighed as if exasperated. “Yes, this is your home. You needn’t worry about that now. When the time comes, we will all sit down and go over next steps.”
It was the same vague answer her aunt always gave when Julia asked. Though she knew her parents had left a good deal of money for her and Pippa, Julia couldn’t help but feel uneasy. “When will that time be?” she pressed.
Her aunt was already heading down the hall toward her father’s office at a brisk pace. “I’ll know more after today’s meeting.”
Julia turned to see if Pippa had been listening, but she was flipping mindlessly through the magazine their aunt had left on the table.
“Here, Pips. I made you eggs.” Julia carried a plate over and set it down gently in front of her. “Extra butter, just the way you like them.” Her insides relaxed when Pippa finally took a small bite. Julia sat down and studied her little sister gingerly forking the eggs into her mouth. No matter how long it took, she’d sit with Pippa until the last bite was gone.
More and more, it was becoming clear that it would be her job to take care of her little sister now. Pippa had never been a bed-wetter. What she needed was some affection, not a stupid behavior chart.
After breakfast, Julia helped Pippa get dressed and steered her outside, as Candace had requested.
“There’s nothing to do,” Pippa whined, standing in the middle of the yard with her arms at her sides.
“Let’s try your bike,” Julia suggested.
“Too hot.”
“We could take the fishing poles down to the lake.”
Pippa sighed and plopped down in the grass. “I only fish with Daddy.”
