“What’d you get me?” I butted in.
“Nothing except the gracious gift of menotwatching the latest episode without you.” Bee rolled her eyes, but I knew how much restraint that took. If it was up to her, we’d be home every night at the same time to watch her shows and not rely on streaming to catch up.
“You got plans?” I asked in the most normal tone I could muster.
“I didn’t want to crash you and Olive’s first night, so I’m going out with Farrah. Oh! That reminds me. Olive, this is for you.” As Bee stood up she revealed long denim shorts and a cropped tee that barely hit her ribs. Her body glowed in the light like she put extra care in her appearance. Like she wanted to be perceived. By other people.
She’s going out.
“Woah, I love your outfit,” My sister complimented, and I shook my head twice to make sure I heard that right.
“Thanks! It gets the job done.”
If the job is getting attention, check.
If the job is making me wonder who will be in her ear all night, double check.
If the job is having me sleep on the couch tonight so I can see if she brings anyone home, triple check.
“But this is a guest gift. Even though you’re not a guest, you’re family, but you’re stillourfirst guest,” she finished, and Iwatched her face brighten then dim. She didn’t want to come on hard, but she was still showing Olive that she cared.
Bee handed over a lilac apron with Olive embroidered on the right side of the chest. No one else would notice, but I knew Bee hid her triumphant smile behind closed lips. She didn’t even wait for Olive to react, immediately going back to her computer and pretending to be busy with other things. She wasn’t ignoring my sister, but, rather, giving her space to warm up.
From Olive’s silence, the shy cat strategy was working.
“When I was in high school, we had a list of classes we could choose from and I chose baking, mostly because my older sister did it, and I was so jealous of the aprons they got to pick out. I don’t know if your new school offers it, but if not, you can wear it at home. If you like it, of course. If you hate it, you can burn it right now and I wouldn’t mind,” Bee rambled.
“Please don’t do that.” I shook my head.
Our eyes met over my silent sister’s head as her fingers traced the white lettering and the lace on the edge of the apron. It was so her, and Bee didn’t know her at all. I mouthedthank youand she smiled a small, tiny version of her usual beaming. I should look away, go back to watching Olive react, but just for a few more seconds I wanted it to feel like it was just us. I wanted to run my finger through one of her curls, my fingertip looping around until I reached the bottom. I wanted to say something that’d make her smile bigger.
“This is really sweet,” Olive said gingerly. “I surprisingly don’t have my own apron. So that’s one thing you’ve definitely beat my sister at.”
“That’s the only thing she can beat me in,” I interjected.
“Yeah right.” Bee shook her head, “But since your sister is here…sure. Let’s go with that.”
“Nolly, am I putting your stuff in your room?”
“Yup, door’s open. But let me help.”
“I’m an only child. I got it.”
“Not an only child.” I rolled my eyes to my sister’s back.
“Oh, she’s fun.” Bee didn’t speak until Olive was out of sight. I walked toward her spot at the counter.
“A joy and a pleasure, she is. Thank you for the gift. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I think you forget I’m an older sister too, Nola. I know how to play the game.”
“And what game are you playing tonight?” I dropped my voice, my fingers reaching for the belt loop in her denim shorts. It was the closest I’d allow myself to touch her. We’d been good at that, distance and space. But I missed her at all times, even when we were in the same room.
Bee shrugged, her mouth scrunched like she wanted to laugh or spill her guts. “I’m not playing any games.”
I pulled her belt loop closer to me, dragging Bee, still in the barstool, across the smooth wood. I watched a small gasp leave her shocked mouth before she closed it.
“Want to try that again? I thought you liked to be honest?”
