Page 99 of You're So Vine
Shelby is staring fixedly at Debra, like she’s trying to absorb and memorize every detail. I think Debra’s about to object, but she lifts her hand a fraction off the blanket, an offer for Shelby to take it. Which Shelby does, like it’s a precious gift.
“I imagine you have questions,” Debra says to her.
“So many,” replies Shelby. “But we should wait for Tyler and Frankie. If that’s okay?”
“No guarantees,” says Debra with a small smile. Then she winces.
“What can I do?” says Shelby.
“Nothing.” Debra’s eyes are closing. “Let me rest. Wake me when the others come.”
We sit there in silence until Nate says, “I could get us coffee?”
Jackson jumps up. “I’ll help you. I’ve got to know that machine so well, I suspect it thinks I’m about to propose.”
Nate takes the coffee orders, and the two men head out. I start watching the group across the way, wondering if they celebrate like this every morning or if this was a special occasion.
“Speaking of proposals,” says Lee, quietly, nodding in that direction. “They renewed their vows first thing this morning.”
The woman in the bed doesn’t look that old, maybe early sixties. The big guy with the mustache must be her husband, sitting close by, attentive. My first instinct is to be sad for him, but although I know he must be grieving, this time with her must feel like a blessing. Not everyone gets a proper chance to say goodbye, to say how much you love them…
Damn it, now I’m definitely going to cry. And Nate’s walked off with the tissues.
In front of my face appears a handkerchief.
“Found it when I was grabbing a pair of socks,” Cam explains. “Thought it might come in useful.”
I wipe my eyes. Blow my nose. Lean my head on Cam’s shoulder.
“I know this is a weird time and I’m ridiculously emotional,” I murmur, “but could we be together forever?”
He wraps his arm around me, pulls me close, kisses my hair.
“Forever,” he murmurs back. “How d’you feel about bees?”
Before I can answer, Nate and Jackson are back with coffee and the remaining two Armstrong siblings: middle brother Tyler, slim and strawberry blond like Shelby, and youngest sister Frankie, pale blonde like Jackson and robustly curvy. Time for hugs and tears, mainly Shelby’s. The kerfuffle rouses Debra, and suddenly everyone is silent. Those standing take a seat, those in chairs sit up straighter. Everyone’s holding on to their coffee cups, no one is drinking. It’s like we’re an audience waiting for a play to begin.
“Well, well,” says Debra. “Who’s brave enough to go first?”
ChapterThirty-Four
CAM
Iknow this is a sad occasion. I know Debra is leaving us way too early, with so much left to do in her life, and that her nieces and nephews are missing out on time they should have had with their only aunt. But my heart is soaring. I feel like I did way back in my teen years, driving flat out in my rusty truck, window down, music on, like I was king of the world, invincible.
And it’s not just because I’m in love with Ava and she with me. Okay, this might sound stupid, but for the first time since I left home, I feel like I’m surrounded by family. Ten years ago, the Armstrongs welcomed me in, gave me a home, made me feel like I was worth something. It’s only now that everyone bar Billy is here that I realize exactlyhow much I owe them. They never judged, not one of them. They accepted me with all my faults, and there were a lot. They helped me reclaim my life and my sense of who I was. I’m not even sure they understand what a huge deal that is, how much it means to me. I hope I can find the words to let them know while they’re all here.
But right now, it’s my job to sit and listen. Debra’s just thrown down the gauntlet and to my surprise, it’s Jackson who picks it up.
“This question could be for Mom, too, but I’ll ask you first if that’s okay?” He swallows but overcomes his nerves and presses on. “When did you find out you had a sister?”
“Last October,” Debra replies. “I was in Sacramento for a teachers’ conference. Saw an article on your mom and her art…”
She pauses to regather her energy. No one prompts her. This will take as long as it takes.
“The old cliché—like looking in a mirror. I knew it couldn’t be coincidence.”
Debra smiles at Lee, whose eyes are welling with tears. It hits me like a train that this is the second time in as many years that she’s had someone she loves die. Lee’s a strong woman, but this must be hurting like all get out. Maybe that’s why she kept it secret? Too painful to share?
