Page 186 of Wanted Beta

“Beth, we’re only thinking of your best interests, dear,” Mom says, her eyes pleading with me.

I nod slowly. “I know you are, and I appreciate that. I do. But I can’t live my life the way I need to if all I’m doing is trying to make you guys proud of me. I’m not a librarian, and I never should have tried to be.”

Catherine’s smiling at me with tears in her eyes when my mom and dad get to their feet.

“I’m not happy about this,” my mom tells me, shaking her head. “The next time this city chews you up and spits you out … Don’t go thinking our offer to take you home still stands.”

She looks at my sister. “I expected better of you, Catherine.”

Catherine sighs, but she doesn’t say anything.

Mom shakes her head again, and leaves.

Dad shuffles closer and whispers, “She’s just upset. She doesn’t mean it. She’d take you home in a heartbeat. Both of you.”

“Harold!” she snaps from the other room.

He waves as he rushes to catch her up.

When the front door slams behind them, Catherine blinks and a tear rolls down her cheek.

“Sorry, that was …” I start, putting an arm around her.

She laughs. “It was awesome. I’m so proud of you, Beth. You did it.”

“Um, what?” I ask, feeling kind of shocked to hear those words coming out of anyone’s mouth.

I don’t think anyone’s ever been proud of me before in my life.

She hugs me close. “You’re going to have the most amazing life. I’m so glad you’re giving up that stupid course.”

Right. She did question me about why I was on it.

She moves back and wipes under her eyes.

“Are you happy, Catherine?” I ask.

“I’m doing okay,” she says. “I wish I’d had your guts when I was a little younger, but everything’s turned out well for me. I’m so damn happy for you, Bethy.”

Oh my God, she’s using my dumb little kid nickname!

I don’t want to tear up, but it feels inevitable.

“You should be happy, too,” I tell her. “What is it you wish you’d done when you were younger?”

She shrugs, and then laughs. “See? Even now it’s so damn hard to say it and I feel like a dumbass for even thinking it was a good idea. This is what Mom and Dad’s negativity does.”

I think hard and smile. “I know what it is, and you could still do it. I know you could.”

“Maybe,” she says. “As a silly little side hustle.”

“You mean a business venture.”

“A business venture,” she murmurs. “That does have a nice ring to it.”

I never expected to find out I had much of anything in common with my oldest sibling, but I think Catherine and I are more alike than I ever realized.

“So, what would you be sewing in this new venture, exactly?” I ask, curious about whether she wants to start an alterations business, or make items from scratch.

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