Page 24 of Take Two

Me: All yours, darlin’.

He ends the text with a wink and a kiss emoji. I sit in the stall for a few moments to get my body to calm down. Once my breathing returns to normal, I walk out of the stall, only to almost miss a step when I see my sister standing at the sink. She has both hands on the counter with her head hanging down. She takes three deep breaths before she looks up and stares at her reflection in the mirror.

I take inventory of her. She looks smaller and bigger at the same time. It’s obvious she’s gained weight. It’s not substantial, but it’s noticeable. She also looks like a shell of herself, as if she wants to disappear. That’s unlike her. One thing Terri’s never lacked was confidence. Whatever she’s done, she’s always been the best. Other than choosing a husband.

I wish I could ask her what’s going on, but we’re not the type of sisters who share secrets. I think back to Tara and Vickie, who are as close as two sisters can be. It hasn’t been that way between me and Terri in years. Even when we were getting along, weweren’t the type of sisters who told each other everything. But we did things together and I looked up to her.

Let it go, Violet.

She looks in my direction, and our eyes lock in the mirror. Hers look empty. She looks gaunt and under her eyes look puffy and discolored. She didn’t bother with any makeup today. Her lips are bare, and she has a bit of acne on the left side of her chin.

“Hey,” she says.

“Hey,” is all I say back. I approach the sink and wash my hands. She stands there and looks at me. I ignore her, unsure of why she’s just standing in this public bathroom staring at me.

“I’m so sorry about the things Spence said,” she says. I ignore her statement. Spencer put the final nail in my relationship with my sister, and she not only let him, but she might as well have given him the hammer.

“You should know by now that I don’t give a damn what Spence says.” Or you for that matter, I think, but I keep that thought to myself. There’s no point in fighting with her here or anywhere. We did that years ago, and I’m finished with it.

She looks away and wraps her arms around herself. Something is definitely off with her, and part of me feels bad about it. Whatever it is, it’s affecting her not just emotionally but physically as well. Our relationship might be strained, but I don’t wish her ill.

“Yeah, I suppose you don’t.” She sniffs, and I notice a tear rolling down her cheek. She quickly wipes it and takes a deep breath. She turns to face me and reaches for my hand, but I move away.

“But what I want to know is why you didn’t check him when he disrespected you about your weight.”

“Listen, Violet, I wantto—”

“Let’s just get through this meal, okay, Terri. Whateverthisis,” I say gesturing at her. “I’m not interested. Let’s get through this so we don’t have to worry about obligatory family time until Thanksgiving.”

“Is that what I am to you? Obligatory family time? Is that what we’ve become?” Another tear slides down her face. “Can we start over?”

“Start over? Terri, tell me you’re not that delusional?” With that, I leave her standing at the sink and walk out of the bathroom.

There’s another drink waiting for me when I get to the table, and I take a huge gulp.

“I ordered it for you,” my mom says. I nod in gratitude.

“Are we ready to order?” I ask a few minutes later when Terri returns from the ladies’ room. Her eyes are red, but she seems to have regained control of herself. Spence looks at her, but he doesn’t say a word, and I’m left wondering how on earth my sister could have married a man who doesn’t give a damn if she’s upset.

“So, how are things with you, Violet?” my mom asks as she looks over the menu. “Are you seeing anyone?”

“Oh, God,” Spence says, and Wade snorts. “That’s a horrible thought. Someone warn the men of New York City.”

“This is your birthday, Mom. Let’s talk about you,” I say, not willing to divulge anything about my private life here. I don’t see a scenario where I would bring Charlie around anyone other than my dad.

“I guess that means no,” Spence says. “You know, Violet, a man likes women who are feminine.”

“Thank you, Spence. I had no idea that you speak for all men,” I say as I roll my eyes and wave him away. “Anyway, Mom, tell me about your trip. Where are you thinking of going?” Thetrip that will never happen until she says fuck it and goes on her own or with her best friend.

“I was thinking Europe,” she says, and my eyebrows shoot up to my forehead.

“Europe? That’s a step up from Niagara Falls,” is all I say, side-eyeing Wade. I remember Mom wanted to honeymoon in Paris after their wedding, but the most he could do was drive them to Niagara Falls. They never crossed into Canada because Wade didn’t have a passport and refused to get one. “London is really nice.” I finish my drink and look around for the server to get another.

“Oh, God. Here we go,” Wade says. “Get over it already.”

“Wade, you’re still not—”

My mother cuts me off and says, “I was thinking Geneva.”

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