I’mon my way to Shelby’s when my phone rings. It’s Marcy.
“Hey sis, how’s it going?”
“You should come over to Mom and Dad’s, right away.”
I feel my pulse quicken.“Are they okay?”
“Yes, sorry, I shouldn’t have said it like that. But it’s urgent, and do not bring Shelby, whatever you do.”
I wouldn’t do that, especially with Marcy’s grim tone.
Me: I gotta stop at my folks. I’ll stop by on my way back. Tell Brody I’m sorry.
Shelby: Everything okay?
Me: Yeah, see you soon, babe. XO
No reply.
Twenty minutes later, I pull up at my parent’s house. The first thing I notice is a car with Seattle plates parked in front of Marcy’s. That’s odd. I go around back, and I have to do a double-take when I walk into the kitchen and set eyes on a face I have not seen for a year.
Her long raven hair is tied into a tight ponytail, and she’s overdressed as usual—A black fitting evening dress and red heels. Her back is to me as she leans on the counter, a glass of white, on ice in her hands, but I’d know her anywhere.
“Katie?” The word feels foreign. When was the last time I said it?
She spins in the direction of my voice, a broad smile on her face. “Oh, Emb.” She moves toward me, and I stare at her. Her arms wrap around me, but I don’t return the hug.
“Katie, what are you doing here?”
Marcy and my mother sit at the island facing me, their expressions about as stunned as mine.
“I thought I’d surprise you,” she says in a way I have not heard her speak in years. There’s light in her eyes, and she looks like the woman I married six years ago.
“When did you... when did you get out of hospital?”
“Oh, about six months ago. I’ve been at a retreat. I needed to clear my head before I saw you again. “We have so much to talk about.”
“You can come inside, you know,” she teases and takes my hand, leading me into my mother’s kitchen. Her hands feel foreign, her presence is alien, everything about this doesn’t make any sense. “You look great, Emb.”
“I…Katie…” I am speechless. I have so much that’s been suppressed inside, but I can’t formulate the words right now.
“Hi, Son,” my mother greets.
“Hey, Momma, Marce.”
“Katie was just filling us in on all her adventures in Tibet,” Marcy comments, taking a large sip of her red wine.
I narrow my eyes at my sister. There is no way Katie went to Tibet. Her passport was suspended years ago. That is her first strike.
“Oh, it was wonderful, Emb. I can’t wait to fill you in on everything.”
“Would you like a beer?” My father walks into the room, looking unimpressed at the presence of Katie.
“Thanks, Dad, but maybe I’ll have something stronger.”
“Come on then,” he huffs, and I stand walking toward him. Katie is about to open her mouth again when my mother interrupts. “Dinner will be ready in an hour.”
I need a bit of space, no I need more than just abitof space.
