“This is one time Loncey is actually right. The salad is almost better than fries.”
Maeve puts the bag down on the couch close to Jessica’s feet. “I think I should see myself out. I’m clearly not welcome here in this house of health freaks.”
She starts walking toward the door but then stops and turns, her hair floating around her. “Wait, I just realised that means more twisty fries and garlic bread for me. Let’s bloody eat!”
“I’m grabbing forks and napkins!” Mom calls out from the kitchen.
“We can eat on the couch?” Maeve looks at me then Jessica.
“Well, it’s not like I can get up and go to the kitchen right now,” Jessica teases Maeve with a roll of her eyes and I hold my breath.
“You’re so lazy,” Maeve teases back and I give Jessica a warning look because I know that kind of acerbic comment will have her bursting with laughter.
“I like you,” Jessica says with a smile. “But please don’t make me laugh so much. I don’t want to die today.”
“Got it.” Maeve gives my sister a little salute. “Can I sit next to you?”
“After you wash your hands,” I tell Maeve. “You can do it in the kitchen.” I nod to indicate which direction she should go in.
Jessica and I both watch Maeve leave and then I turn back to my sister, wanting to know how she really is, but before I can open my mouth…
“Are you… are you collabing with her?” Jessica asks with some hesitation.
“Fuck, no!” I say, a little appalled. “Maeve’s a... friend.”
That last word is clumsy in my mouth. It doesn’t quite fit. It doesn’t quite describe what Maeve is to me. But I don’t have anything else, certainly not as my sister levels a scrutinizing look on me.
“I don’t think she’s your friend.”
“Well, she’s not my girlfriend. And we’re not… sleeping together.”
“But you want to, right? I mean, look at her!” Jessica’s voice lowers.
“I really don’t…” I say but again I can’t taste truth in my mouth. Not that what I said is a lie. I have the desire to sleep with Maeve – I’m very sexually attracted to her, that much is true – but I don’t want to sleep with her because she doesn’t want that. I don’t want anything that Maeve doesn’t want.
But I can’t explain that to my sister.
“I don’t want to talk about this with you.”
“I know.” She shrugs, or at least she tries but I can see how physically exhausted she is in the gray patches under her eyes and the way her chest moves heavy and slow. “You’ve not once asked me about Taylor. I know it freaks you out, the idea of me, you know, being sexual.”
I grimace. I don’t even try to hide it.
“Which is ironic considering what you do for a living,” Jessica adds, and I’m sure if she had the energy she would cross her arms for effect.
“You’re my sister,” I say as an explanation. “I’ve always been very respectful about keeping my… work away from you.”
“But Taylor isn’t work for me. She’s important to me.”
“I know, I know. She’s your girlfriend,” I say and while I’m pleased with how easily I say the words, my pride is interruptedby a jolt of joy as I hear my mother and Maeve’s laughter emerge from the kitchen.
“And Maeve’s your… something.”
“Jesus, she’s afriend,” I say again but it’s no surprise when the word is just as clunky.
“Loncey, you never bring friends home. Even with Miko and Harley, it took you months to introduce us to them.”
“They’re busy people.”
