Page 179 of Rather: The Therapist

Too much or not enough? I sent the picture to my family’s group message. My mother was the first to respond.

No. It’s perfect.

Girl, not you begging. Roulette was second in line.

I think that’s sweet, but do you really need any more sisters? You have us.

Rome’s selfishness was the cutest thing. She wanted to be the last sister and only baby. Adding Kleigh to the bunch meant there would be another sibling amongst the younger crew that included her and I.

Seven days? Rugger questioned.

She’ll come around. I explained.

The rest of the girls approved the message, giving me the courage to drop it in the envelope I slid out of my purse, unfolded, and stuffed the book and note inside. I made my way to the counter and handed the cashier a fifty dollar bill.

Though she was clueless as to why I was giving it to her, she accepted it with a smile on her pretty face.

“For the two books my brother-in-law took without paying, as well as his coffee.”

“Oh,” she gasped, “Thank you.”

“No problem. Keep the change. This place deserves it.”

I exited Genre and headed to my car. The December cold was brutal, but the holiday cheer was plentiful.

“Whew.”

I rubbed my hands together to try and increase the heat between them. The postal box on the corner made my life so much easier. I slid the large envelope from underneath my elbow and into the slot before continuing down the street.

Inside my car, I was comforted by the warmth. Princeton was heavy on my mind. Caramel popcorn, homemade juice, carrot sticks, and Home Alone in the theater room under heated blankets was the ideal evening for us. I couldn’t wait to make it happen.

Priest was away for the day, so the car in the driveway was alarming. I drew closer to his home to see that it was Kleigh stepping out of her vehicle. The new set of wheels fit her well.

I cut into the driveway, eager to meet her at the door. She halted at the sight of me, realizing I wasn’t inside and was just pulling up, too. It was too cold outside to keep her waiting, so I increased my speed and exited my car with a little more urgency than usual.

Kleigh was shivering. Something deep within told me it wasn’t from the low temperature.

“I– I just sent your book off in the mail. What are you doing here?”

She angled the phone in my direction. Rugger’s face on the screen wasn’t surprising to me.

“Seriously, Rugger? I told you she’d come around. I could’ve waited seven days.”

“You gave her seven days. I gave her seven minutes. It doesn’t take that long to get around the bend and to her brother’s home.”

“Rug–”

“Kleigh now understands she’s not allowed to disregard your existence. We’re not there, so she is responsible for your sanity in our absence. She wanted a sister. She has seven now. Make this a lesson. We don’t run from one another. We sit tight and stick it out, whatever it might be. When the rollercoaster is over, we’ll all laugh about it. Isn’t that right, Kleigh?”

Kleigh nodded.

“Words. Use your words,” Rugger demanded.

“Yes.”

“Good.”

“Hang up on her,” I insisted, feeling a bit awful.

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