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No, that was impossible.
“I just haven’t seen much of you lately,” Meghan continued, unwilling to let Oriana off the hook. “I’ve been worried.”
Oriana set her jaw. Under Meghan’s watchful eye, she hardly knew how to act, as Meghan would call her out immediately for lying.
But a moment later, Roland approached with a beer to say hello. His nervous smile proved that he still wasn’t fully comfortable around them yet, but he wanted to work on it.
“How was New York?” he asked Oriana.
“Oh, it was fine,” Oriana said, waving her hand.
“She’s being modest,” Reese interjected. “She just learned she’s the recipient of a huge award.”
Roland’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding. Congratulations, Oriana!”
Meghan shifted her weight, giving Oriana a hurt look.Why hadn’t Oriana mentioned the award to Meghan?
“We should make a toast,” Meghan said, her voice wavering, as though she was on the verge of tears. And Oriana understood why. After all, through thick and thin, Meghan and Oriana had told one another nearly everything. Oriana suddenly blocking Meghan out probably felt horrific.
But if Oriana told Meghan what was really going on, what would Meghan say? Oriana was terrified of the look in Meghan’s eye, of the realization that Oriana was little more than a fraud.
Meghan filled a glass with wine and raised it toward the sparkling September sky. “Everyone! I’ve just learned about my sister’s remarkable accolade. Very soon, the city of New York will recognize her for the astonishing art dealer she is and always has been. The fact that she’s been able to do her work while here, in Martha’s Vineyard, where she’s been such a dear friend and sister to me all these years, is truly spectacular.”
Oriana felt the words like a knife. She knew that Meghan was trying to make a point, to remind Oriana that she wouldn’t be abandoned.
Both branches of the Coleman family raised their glasses of iced tea, soda, cans of beer, and red cups filled with white wine to toast Oriana, who blushed and bowed her head.
“Thank you for helping me celebrate, everyone,” Oriana said. “I don’t know how I could have done any of this without my sweet and very understanding family.” Oriana shot Meghan a look that meant,I’m doing the best I can, and I love you.
It was strange that sisters could communicate with one another without saying anything at all.
Eventually, Oriana found herself around the bonfire, seated on a lawn chair, chatting with Estelle, Sam, Hilary, and Shawna, all of whom were incredibly sweet women and remarkable additions to Oriana’s family. The men played corn hole across the yard, hollering out with excitement or regret, depending on how the beanbag had landed.
“Roland hasn’t been able to shut up about our dinner with you,” Estelle said to Oriana, lowering her voice slightly.
“I’ve thought about it a lot, too,” Oriana offered.
“He can’t get over how ‘brilliant’ his little sisters are,” Estelle said with a laugh. “I think he’s bragged about you to almost everyone we’ve seen since then.”
Oriana’s cheeks burned. Great. Roland was but another person she would disappoint when the truth came out. She never thought she’d regret forging a relationship with her half-brothers.
Suddenly, Oriana’s phone buzzed in her pocket. When she pulled it out, the screen read: RITA.
“I have to take this,” Oriana said, fleeing the backyard and entering the house. “Rita?”
Oh gosh. She needed answers. She needed them now.
“Hi, Oriana.” Rita’s voice was bright and chipper. “Do you have time to talk?”
Oriana was at the staircase, darting up the steps to get as far away from her family as possible. “I do.” She tried not to sound breathless, even though she was.
“Great. I’ve found the person you’ve been looking for.”
At the top of the staircase, Oriana nearly fell back in surprise. “You’re kidding.”
“I’m not.”
“How?”
