When I’d listened to Mindy’s voice mail, my heart almost stopped.She’d been a little frantic, and I didn’t blame her.Our parents only had to pay one quarter a year for her schooling, I took care of the rest, but somehow, they still forgot.The financial office had called her Friday to tell her.Why she’d waited until Sunday to call me, I didn’t know.
I knew money and how to move it around.It could happen from anywhere.Yet, as always, my gut instinct was to fly to Mindy’s side.Valerie’s calm voice and logic settled me down, thank goodness.Valerie was the most amazing woman.Calm in a crisis, a hellion in bed, and completely wrapped around my heart.
It didn’t help that the events of her family last night stirred up feelings I’d hidden away.Feelings about how Valerie would react to being second in line to my sister.It was time to have an honest talk with her about Mindy.While Valerie was aware of my parents flaking out, I don’t think she realized how involved I was in Mindy’s life.It was so much different when we were together, but there were now and would be times in the future when Mindy came first in my life
Would Valerie accept that?She’d always been relegated to last place with her family.I sighed.There was no easy way to do this.I logged out and shut down the computer.
The aroma of cinnamon filled the air as I walked into the kitchen holding the empty coffee mug.Valerie stood at the counter, spreading cream cheese frosting on the rolls.
“That smells delicious.”
“Go sit down.”She motioned to the table.“Do you want more coffee or something else?”
“More coffee would be great.”Valerie took my mug and pushed me toward the table she’d set.I paused.She hadn’t been upset that I needed to help Mindy.Maybe she did understand more than I gave her credit for.
Valerie returned with a platter of cinnamon rolls in one hand and carrying coffee mugs for both of us in the other hand.I stood and grabbed the mugs.
“Thank you.”
“Anytime.”I put the mugs down and waited until she sat before I took my seat.
“Dive in.”She gestured to the platter.
“Ladies first.After all, you cooked them.”
“The air fryer did all the work.”She picked up the tongs and placed a roll on her plate before holding the tongs out to me.
I took two rolls.The smell made my stomach growl.Picking one up, I took a big bite.The warm sweet bread melted on my tongue, and the gooey icing teased my taste buds.
“Delicious.”I took another bite and another until I’d polished off my rolls.My brain finally started to function like it should.Carbs and sugar would kickstart anyone.“Thank you for keeping me calm.”
Valerie’s presence and suggestion had calmed me almost instantly.That was new for me.I hadn’t dated much since Valerie, but when I had, a call from Mindy generally meant the end of things.Women didn’t seem to like sharing their man’s time with their siblings.Not Valerie, though, as far as I could tell.
“When it comes to Mindy, I get easily bent out of shape.”
“She’s your sister.”That was all Valerie said.
“Here’s the thing.I feel responsible for Mindy.You know my parents pretty much checked out on her…on us, that is.”
“I get that, but she’s, what, twenty-five now?”
“Twenty-six,” I answered.“She’s in her last semester of medical school, and I want to make sure she graduates.”Did Valerie understand?“There are only a few months left, and then she’s done.”At that point, I’d loosen the reins a bit.Mindy had a bit of our parents’ wanderlust in her, and I had to keep her on the straight and narrow.
“And then what?”Valerie spread her hands out.“She has to go through internship and then her residency.Lucas, I understand you want to support her, but there has to be a better way.”
“I only want Mindy to succeed.”Was Valerie picking up on something I was missing?
“Of course you do.And I love that you help her when she needs it.”
“I hear a but there.”Was Valerie going to be like other women I dated?Unable to accept my sister was in my life?That didn’t make sense; she was well aware of Mindy.
“But sometimes I think you go off half-cocked without thinking things through.”
“Mindy needs my help.”
She sighed.“I’m sure Mindy appreciates what you’re doing, but what would happen if you didn’t run to the rescue the very second she calls?”
I stared at Valerie.“Is that what you think I do?”Was Valerie right?Maybe.But… What?Valerie never had someone she could rely on like Mindy did.She didn’t understand how it felt.
