Page 24
Greer
Of course. You’re my sister. We’re just excited you’re finally visiting!
Kira
All right, but only until I can find somewhere else
Greer
I’ll text you my address, but I don’t get off work until 5 p.m. Hope that’s okay…
Kira
No problem at all. See you soon!
I glance at the time and start toward the trail that’s conveniently located behind the parking lot. “Come on, Matilda, looks like we have plenty of time for a walk.”
By the time five o’clock rolls around, Matilda and I are both spent. Our afternoon hike to the waterfall, which was supposed to be three miles, but somehow turned into eight.
I may have gotten turned around a few times trying to navigate using the trail maps, but in my defense, they weren’t exactly the most user-friendly directions. Who the hell navigates using East and West, anyway? Who do they think we are, Lewis and Clark?
Lucky for us, Ashford Falls has more than one waterfall, so at least our efforts were not in vain. Matilda got her energy out, and between trying to keep up with her and the spotty cell service in the forest, checking my phone never even crossed my mind. When the GPS alerts that I’ve arrived at my destination, I do a double-take to make sure I have the right address.
Guilt churns in my stomach when I realize it’s correct.
The house may be smaller than I was expecting, but it’s cute. And it seems to be well taken care of. There’s a pop-up soccer goal in the front yard and an abandoned pink bike lying on its side in the driveway.
I take a moment to take it all in. It seems so normal. So very average.
Flames of jealousy spark inside me, hungry for something to consume, but I’m quick to smother the thought before it goes any further. I’m happy that my sister got to have a normal life. One of us deserves to be happy. Besides, she’s the one wired for it. As the youngest sister who’s always lived a life of luxury, I’m far too spoiled to live so modestly. It’d have been wasted on me anyway.
Before my thoughts take me down any other rabbit holes I don’t care to explore, I grab Matilda’s leash and my suitcase and make my way to the front door.
The door swings open before I can even knock, and I’m greeted by a bright-eyed, dark-haired little girl, who can’t be the same kid I saw two years ago when Greer and the kids visited me during the summer.
“Puppy!” Evie shrieks, not even giving me a second glance.
Nothing like a child to humble you and remind you just how insignificant you really are.
Excitement overtakes her little body, so much that she’s resorted to running in place to keep her hands to herself. “Please, please, please, can I pet that dog?” She draws out the word dog in a country accent that tells me she’s well acquainted with viral videos online.
Laughing, I say, “Yes, but be gentle. She can be a little nervous with new peo—” My words break off when Evie’s arms wrap around Matilda’s neck.
Evie giggles as Matilda licks sloppy, excited kisses across her cheek, her stump of a tail wagging a mile a minute.
“Oh my God, you’re really here!” Greer envelops me in a bone-crushing hug before leading me inside. Despite her small frame, I’m always shocked by how strong she is. That nurse strength is no joke.
“Jesus, Hulk,” I wheeze, tapping out of her hug.
“Oh, sorry.” She releases me and her eyes drop to Matilda, who’s lying at my feet on her back, tongue lolling out of her mouth as Evie pets her belly.
“Mommy, can I please get a puppy for my birthday? I promise I’ll take care of her!”
“Oh, good, that’s just what I need right now, another living thing to take care of,” Greer mumbles through gritted teeth. Her smile twitches, and she cuts her eyes to me. “I hope you know I love you…”
Before Evie can plead any further, I hoist her up with a grunt, and I carry her into the living room. “I can’t believe how big you’ve gotten.”
She giggles and wraps her arms around my neck before touching her nose to mine. It’s the same Eskimo kiss that Greer and I used to give when we were kids.
