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“I apologize if I took up too much of Tillie’s time,” I say.
Lila continues gathering toys.
Okay, so she feels put out.
“I didn’t intend to take her away from you and Rosie.”
Lila holds up a hand. “It’s fine. I’m glad Tillie got to do some grown-up excursions. With the baby, we were pretty limited, and Tillie doesn’t like doing things by herself. So don’t worry about that.”
“Is there something Ishouldworry about?”
The toys go more forcefully into the bag. “Tillie isn’t much of a dating person. I think this goodbye is going to be hard on her.”
“Same here. I don’t usually do this.”
Lila ties off the bag with a jerk. “Maybe that’s true, maybe it’s not. But I’m asking you to go easy on her as this trip ends. We need Tillie. She’s how Rosie and I get by.”
“I will do my best.”
Her gaze pierces me. “If she cries, the baby will cry. Did you see them? They have a connection. I need her. We’re a family. So pleasemake your goodbye before we have to get on a long flight home and all this is more difficult than it had to be.”
I understand her point.
Tillie returns with a glass of water. Rosie looks down at the floor and lets out a howl.
Tillie squeezes her. “Oh no! Where did all your toys go?”
“It’s time for bed,” Lila says, reaching out for the baby. “I’ll see you in the morning. Flight’s at one. We have to turn the car in before that.”
Tillie passes Rosie to her. “That’s not early. We’ll get it done.”
Lila smooths Rosie’s hair, her expression hard. “I’ll empty the fridge in the morning. And take out the trash. The sheets need to go in the wash as we leave. It’s hard to manage all the chores if I’m alone with Rosie.”
“I can do it.”
“Really? You’re not going to drink half the night or get sunburned or try to sneak in another cave visit?”
Tillie takes a step back. “Lila! I understand what we need to do.”
“Okay.” Lila flashes one more look at both of us. “Nice meeting you, Gabe.”
“Nice meeting you, too.”
We head to Tillie’s room and she tosses her suitcase on the bed. “I’m not sure what’s gotten into my sister. I don’t have much to do. Just a few dresses to pull down.” She walks to the closet and drags them from their hangers.
She seems on the verge of tears. I don’t know what to do. Lila said to take it easy on her, but how?
“Are your bathing suits hanging up?”
She nods.
“I’ll get them.” I step into her bathroom. All the bikinis I got to know so well are lined up on a small rack by the bathtub. The red polka dot. The yellow. The blue.
They’re dry. I bring them to Tillie, who is trying to fold the same dress she was working on when I left.
I drop the swimsuits on the bed and wrap my arms around her. “I refuse to regret this time we had.”
“Me too.” She lets go of the red dress and it falls in a heap.
