Page 14 of Edge of Desire

“You can tell me.”

Taking a deep breath, I gave him the short version. “It’s Mom. She’s always putting me down, telling me how fat I am. I suppose I took her words to heart.”

“Mom did that to you?”

“She’s always done that to me, only you boys never saw it because she always praised you.”

He took my arm and we walked to another room where we could sit. Then he said, “I never knew that. Mom can be difficult at times, I know, but I wasn’t aware she had a mean streak.”

“It got worse after Terri … you weren’t there to see. I mean you were there, but she always hid that side from you. After you moved here, she became increasingly worse. If it hadn’t been for Grams, I’m not sure I would’ve kept visiting there.”

“What about Dad?”

“He’s still Dad. He’s the best, but when it comes to Mom, he stays silent. I don’t know why she became so bitter towards me. I think it’s because I didn’t go to medical school and went into finance instead. She always gave me mixed signals about that too. Go to medical school. No, major in finance. You’re not cut out to be a doctor.” I sighed. “The only thing she wanted from me was to get married and have kids.”

“I’m sorry she treated you like that. I wish I had known. But let me tell you something. You’re smart enough to do anything you put your mind to. If you still want to go to medical school, go. Follow your heart, Ava. Don’t settle for less. And you look great. You’re beautiful inside and out.”

“But I really have put on weight and can’t seem to stay on a diet.”

“Then stop stressing about it and love yourself the way you are. Not everyone is supposed to be skinny.”

“But look at Caroline. She’s so tiny.”

“Have you ever seen her eat? Of course you haven’t, but that girl can outeat me on any day of the week. She was lucky enough to inherit some great genes.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

“No maybe about it. Listen to your big bro here.”

“Thanks, Justin. You’re the best, even after I treated you like shit.”

“And get over that, too. I have.”

“Okay.”

“So, do you feel better now?” Concern laced his tone.

“Yeah.”

“Then I’ll say it again. I am thrilled my baby sister is here.”

He gave me one of his loopy smiles and I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him.

“You ready to join the others?”

“You don’t think … I mean, will they think I’m weird because I took off like that?”

“Of course they’ll think you’re weird. Not because you took off, but because I’m your brother.” He winked at me.

“All righty, let’s go.”

We started the journey back and it really was a journey. “Damn, Justin, this is some kind of a house you’ve got here.”

“So I’ve been told,” he laughed. “We love everything about this place.”

“I’m sure. It would be difficult not to, but do you ever get lost?”

“Don’t laugh, but I did at first.”

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