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Kick the screen door open, so it slams shut like I left.
But I linger instead of heading straight outside because I’m unreasonably curious as to why she’s wanting to talk to Ella.
I know they got along, dancing and laughing at Wagon Wheel, but from what I saw, they only talked briefly at the fair. If Piper is going to tell Ella what happened between us last night, it’ll spread through my entire friend group by noon. I need to be prepared, and I tell myself that’s why I’m eavesdropping.
Only a few seconds pass before I hear her voice.
“No, it’s Piper actually.”
A pause.
“Oh, no, Kyle is fine. Everything is fine.”
More silence on her end.
“It was fun, yeah. And that’s actually what I’m calling about. If I go back to the fair for a second night, I’m not sure what to wear. I didn’t feel like I…blended in.”
I’m completely confused, praying Bailey doesn’t reappear before I can listen to the end of the conversation. If Piper wasn’t sure what to wear, why didn’t she call Ella yesterday? And I absolutely shouldn’t have made a joke about her outfit, but I had no clue she would take it as anything more than teasing.
“Mm-hmm. Thanks. And…is that what you wore when you were younger too? Like at thirteen?”
Realization bolts through me like lightning. Piper isn’t asking for herself. She’s finding out for Bailey.
I open the screen door again, this time carefully. I hold the frame until it’s back in place, the hinges barely squeaking. Then walk over to the railing and grip the wood, staring out at the wooden fencing and the distant silhouette of a windmill.
Out of my many regrets when it comes to my family, my relationship with Bailey—or lack thereof—is high on the list.
Mabel and John are in a good place. My mom is gone. But my little sister…it’s complicated. I have no idea what to do with or say to a thirteen-year-old who’s practically a stranger. And I’m wary of dragging her into the circus that’s my life. When she came to my show in Nashville, the headlines about me having a secret daughter were constant. Having people think I’d fathered a child at fifteen wasn’t ideal, but slightly better than if they’d dug up the truth.
I’ve always acted—and felt—like an only child, as terrible as that sounds. Partly out of convenience. Partly out of fear. Partly out of uncertainty because I’ve never known how to change anything.
I didn’t even know she was visiting this week.
And with one phone call, Piper managed to do more for my sister than Ieverhave.
I stare ahead, not really seeing, until I hear the screen door open again. I turn, watching Piper step out.
“Whatcha checking on?” There’s a lilt to the question that tells me she’s not expecting a good answer. That even if she’s not calling me out on eavesdropping, she knows I made up an excuse to come out here because I’m feeling overwhelmed about the whole situation.
“Uh…”
“Bailey’s grandparents said it was fine for her to stay. They just want her home by six. I had her tell them we would drive her home.”
We.
A little of the tension dissipates as soon as I hear it. Such a small, short word, packed with so much significance. For years, I had a team. But I wasn’t part of the team.
“So, she’s staying.” Uncertainty and excitement fight for space.
Piper hesitates. “She was asking me what to wear to the fair tonight. I could take her into town, look for something special? I assume there are clothing stores?Aclothing store at least?”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’renotasking. I’m offering.”
“And I appreciate it. But you don’t have to—”
“Piper?”
