Page 16 of Tough Love

Life, huh? Always has a way of shaking things up when you think you’ve finally got it all together.

I finish the coffee and head back upstairs for a shower, dialling my best friend, Jess, on the way. Briar is playing in his room as I pass, colouring in a book with his things spread out over the top of his bed.

“Would you like me to find a movie for you?” I ask him, the phone to my ear as it starts to ring.

He shakes his head. “No, thank you.”

“Well, I need to shower, so I’ll be back out real soon.”

“Okay.”

I leave him to it as Jess picks up, satisfied he can’t get into too much trouble with a fistful of crayons.

“Hey, boo!”

“Hey, honey. I’m sorry I didn’t make Friday night drinks.” It’s our thing, our regular wind down. She works two blocks over from my office at a law firm, and every Friday we rendezvous at a bar in between.

“I was worried, Mimi.” It shows in her voice. “You’re not the type to stand me up without a phone call.”

She’s right. We’ve been friends since she dropped her bag in a flooded gutter on her morning commute three years ago, and I bought her a double-shot flat white to commiserate. She warms me with her sense of humour, and my more modest approach to life anchors her when her grand ideas get a little too wild. We’re the perfect balance for each other.

I drop to the foot of Kath’s bed, staring at my feet as they make patterns in the plush carpet. “My battery died, honestly. Something came up.” I pause to catch my breath, figure out how to word last night’s events.

She knows I have a sister, one I don’t talk to, but that’s it. The subject is one she never pushes on, and in all honesty, it doesn’t come up in conversation freely either.

“You’re worrying me, babe,” she says quietly. “What’s going on?”

“My sister,” I start, swallowing my shame. “She was in an accident yesterday.”

“Oh, babe.”

“It’s not good, Jess.”

“Are you at yours?” she asks. “I’ll pop over.” Rustling comes down the line, indicating she’s moving. Keys jingle, and I hear the thud of a door.

“No, I’m not home.” I stare at the simple frame—white—around Kath’s mirror. “I’m at Kath, my sister’s house.”

Silence. “Oh, are you helping her?” I can sense the confusion.

“No. I’ve got a nephew, hon.” I let out a short, awkward laugh. “She has a freakin’ kid.” I check the doorway as I speak, half expecting Briar to bust me discussing him with a stranger. “I’m watching him while she’s in ICU.”

“Really?” Her breathless answer echoes how I felt last night. “Wow. Amelia, I….”

“Mum and Dad are on their way to help out. They’re at the hospital now.”

“Was it a car accident?”

“Yeah.” I run my palm over the end of Kath’s comforter, letting the soft fabric calm me some. “She hit her head pretty badly; they put her under as a precaution.”

“Shit.” The door sounds again, and the quick chirp of her car alarm follows. “What’s the address, babe. I’ll give you a lift home to get freshened up, pick up some things when your parents arrive if you like?”

“Honestly, you stay where you are. I’ll be okay.” Plus, it would be kind of awkward introducing Briar to another new face. “I’ll give you a call tomorrow, if that’s okay?”

“Of course it is.” She sighs. “I’m real sorry, Mimi. I know you said you guys aren’t close … but, damn.”

“I know.” I twitch a smile even though she can’t see it. “I don’t really know what to do, babe.”

“Just do what feels right at the time. It’ll work itself out.”

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