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I reach out and hold her hand. “I’ll be there with you. We can take her to do nails and maybe grab a burger.”
“And milkshakes too?” Syd asks.
“Definitely milkshakes,” I agree.
I text Sybil back that next week will work perfectly.
Connor goes to take Syd to bed and I get in the shower. I let the hot water wash the stress of the day off me. It had been a long while since I had seen my family. I was reminded I wasn’t missing much. Mom was cold and said a quick congratulations to me and Connor since she heard we got married. Dad gave me a cold nod. My brothers came up to me and hugged me and introduced themselves to Connor. I thought maybe I could somehow work things out with them, but then I realized they were pissed over Nana leaving me the team. They had the nerve to offer to buy it from me at the funeral. As upsetting as it was, I tell myself they aren’t worth my heartache. It’s better I cleanse my life of them. Nana also left me her Fifth Avenue apartment. I’m not even sure what to do with it.
I get out of the shower and slip into a nightshirt. I feel spacey and sad. I just can’t picture my life without Nana. Nora and Anna promised to stay in touch. Nana found them a job working in the city for an old friend of hers, so at least they can continue working together.
After my shower I slide into bed. It isn’t long until Connor slides into bed beside me and wraps me in his arms. It’s here I feel safe. I feel loved.
* * *
I’m holding Syd’s hand as we walk down the street, headed to the nail salon. We are meeting Sybil, who texted me last night that she arrived in the city on a commercial airline.
I thought it was funny she emphasized the point of the commercial airline.
Syd’s grip on my hand tightens. “Are you okay, sweetie?”
She shrugs.
“I know it’s hard for you to talk around people you don’t know so well,” I say to her.
“Mom has been mean,” she replies and my stomach hollows.
“Maybe we can talk to Sybil about that,” I suggest.
“I’m scared,” Syd admits.
“Sweetie, I’m here and I am not leaving you. I think it’s good to say what is on your mind and not hold things in, and if your mom has hurt your feelings, you should call her on it. Nana never put up with anything she didn’t like. She’s the one who taught me to stand up for myself.”
“I miss Nana.”
“I miss her too, sweet girl, but we can hold her here in our hearts,” I say, palming my chest.
“Okay,” Syd agrees.
We walk up to the nail salon and Sybil is waiting outside. Her hair is blown out and she is wearing large sunglasses, but she’s in a pair of jean shorts and a T-shirt. She looks young and easygoing. Not like the stuck-up woman we met last time.
“Hi.” She waves with a smile.
Syd slinks behind me.
“Hi,” I greet back.
I look at Syd and raise my brows.
“I don’t like how you behave,” Syd blurts.
Sybil removes her sunglasses, and her blue eyes are wide as she looks between me and Syd.
“I told Syd she should tell you how she feels. I think it’s a good first step in fixing a relationship.”
Sybil’s lower lip quivers and it feels like she is looking to me for help. I nod my head and eye her with encouragement, but she is frozen.
“Why don’t you kneel down so you are eye to eye with Syd, and address what Syd said,” I suggest.
