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“We’re going to spend time with Grandma Louise and Papa Mike.”
I glance back to find my oldest, Callie, standing in the doorway.
“What?”
A secretive smile plays about her lips. She hasn’t smiled much since I made the decision to move to Juniper Springs, so I’ll take it even if it’s at my expense.
“Avery planned it all out. She said the girls needed to celebrate.”
I turn back to my sister, who is smiling at me. “Seriously? You conspired with my child?”
“It was the only way to get you to go. It took a lot of coordinating and if you don’t go, you’ll have to explain it to Gerry, who had to rearrange her entire week to make this. And Cora had to train Jim to deal with the kids.”
Guilt hits me hard. Both of my other sisters have a lot of obligations. Cora has four kids who do more in a week than I ever did in a year as a kid. Gerry works in an ER and never really takes time off.
“Not fair.”
“When have you ever known me to play fair, Livvy?”
True. She’s the youngest of the five kids in our family and the most devious. She also cheats at every board and card game known to man. You don’t know she’s cheating until after the game is complete and you realize she’s just screwed you over.
I could fight this but, in the end, I know I’ll lose. My shoulders sag. I had planned to work more on packing this weekend. Yes, I know, I live an exciting existence, but I need structure in my life.
Avery senses my wavering emotions, so she goes in for the kill. “We’ll have fun, the kids will stay with the in-laws…just this once.”
I know it is weird that I never really leave my kids. I’ve left them one other time with my in-laws and they had a blast. It’s not them who has a problem, it’s me. My therapist always says I try to control everything since I lost my husband Sam, but I’ve actually been like that my whole life. Everything needs to be in the perfect place or I can’t function.
“Liiiiiv,” Avery whines, and I blink out of my thoughts. I look down at her. Avery is also the shortest of all of the kids. It’s probably why she’s so scrappy.
“We’ll have fun, do a little gambling, or at least mock people who do, and…WE HAVE TICKETS TO SEE THE BACKSTREET BOYS!”
For a second, I can’t think. I’m a total Backstreet Boys fan. I know, it’s such a white girl thing, but I love those guys. “No!”
She nods. “Yep. They aren’t the greatest seats, but we got them.”
“I…” I’m speechless. Just totally unable to form words. It doesn’t happen that often, but this news not only leaves me speechless, I feel tears burning the backs of my eyes.
Avery takes one look at my face, and her eyes soften. She steps forward and wraps her arms around my body. We stand there hugging for a few moments as I fight all the emotions bombarding me. It’s hard to sort through all of them, but the one that shines through the brightest is love. There is nothing like sisterly love.
“What’s wrong?” Sammy asks. I look at my son, who has joined the party.
“Don’t worry, Sam I Am. Your mama is just excited about our trip,” Avery says.
He nods knowingly and it’s then that it hits me. “You both knew?”
“I did! I kept my trap shut.”
I turn to glare at my sister, who smiles and shrugs. “Hey, it was the only way I could get him to be quiet. You know he loves it when I use old timey threats.”
It’s true. It comes from watching a bunch of old movies with my dad. Callie comes closer and takes my hand. “Don’t be mad, Mom. Avery just wanted to make sure we were cool with the trip.”
Another lump rises in my throat. My sisters always have my back, even if they annoy the living hell out of me. It takes all my control to stem the tears that threaten to upset my children. In all the years since their father died, they have never seen me cry. Yes, I know that’s insane and unhealthy. I’m all they have, and they need to know I’ll always be in control. If I can balance our life, including my reactions, it will calm their nerves. And yes, I know how unhealthy that sounds, but it is one thing I’m good at.
“Why don’t you two go check and make sure you have everything you need for your trip to Grandma and Papa’s?”
She nods and let’s go of my hand. “Come on, Sam. I’m sure there’s some kind of toy you’ve forgotten.”
Sam smiles and follows his sister out of the room. I sigh.
