Page 58 of Quiet Beautiful Things

I’m not sure how I feel about that since it means we both got a lot of traits from Grant.

I look at Sierra, pacing outside the coffee shop as she chats on the phone. She looks stressed. I hope she isn’t getting bad news.

Me: I’m sorry we’re taking so long. It’s just that she’s amazing and I want to know everything about her.

Blake: Don’t be sorry. I’m fine. I’m getting some work done. And my mother says she and Maisy are having a great time at her house. Apparently, Maisy likes to play hideand seek. And believe me, with over 12,000 square feet, there are lots of places to hide.

Sierra sits down again. She’s not as happy as she was moments ago.

Me: Is everything okay?

Sierra:Sorry about that. I had to take the call. It was from my mother. She has no idea I’m here. I honestly don’t know if she knows about you. She’s never said anything to me about you or even about my dad being married before. And I didn’t want to get her into trouble.

That last sentence sends chills down my spine.

Me: Why would she get into trouble?

Her shoulders slouch and she picks at her napkin, unaware of how her body language speaks volumes.

We haven’t talked about the reason we’re sisters: Grant. We’ve talked for hours, yet neither one of us has mentioned him. I thought it was because she presumed I hated him for disowning me. Now, though, I’m wondering if there isn’t a different reason.

Me: Sierra, does Grant treat your mom the same way he treated my mom?

She reads the text, looks up, and our eyes meet. She doesn’t need to say or text the answer. It’s written all over her. I reach out, put my hand on hers, and give her an encouraging nod.

Sierra: I didn’t want to ruin our meeting by talking about him. It’s been so nice getting to know you.

Me: You won’t ruin anything. It’s okay if you want to talk. I’ll understand. If you don’t mind me asking, are your parents still together? I find that quite unbelievable if he’s doing to her what he did to my mom.

Her head lowers in shame, as if whatever is happening to her mother is her fault.

Sierra: They’ve been married a long time. My mom was very young when they got together. She has no marketable skills. She’s been a housewife and mom for twenty-six years. Even after I was gone, he didn’t want her getting a job. I promised her when I left I’d make a lot of money and someday the two of us would share a house. Whenever I bring it up, she says I’m being ridiculous. Still, I’m scrimping and saving where I can, but it’s never enough.

Me: Does she want to leave him?

Sierra: She’s never said as much. But I think it’s only to protect me. Our dad was never much of a father to me. Always gone. Never attentive. I think my mom preferred it that way. If he wasn’t around me, he’d never have the opportunity to do anything to me.

My heart sinks thinking of two sisters who lived very different childhoods.

Me: She does have marketable skills, you know. 26 years of cooking, cleaning house, mending clothes, doing laundry, and raisinga child could get her a job as a housekeeper or a nanny.

Sierra: She won’t come out and say it, but I think she’s afraid of leaving him.

Me: She should be, based on the stories I’ve heard from my mother.

Sierra: I’m going to help her. One day, when I’ve saved enough, I’m going to get her out. Even though she didn’t ask, and even though she doesn’t believe it will happen, it will. I have to.

Me: I’m sorry. I wish I could help.

She wipes a tear. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I went and spoiled this.”

Me: You spoiled nothing. In fact, we should do this again. How long will you be staying in New York?

Sierra: A week maybe. I have a few friends in the city I intend to visit, but I mainly came because of you. I can’t tell you how happy I was to get your text. I booked a plane ticket that very night.

I instantly feel guilty that I have a fat bank account and a huge inheritance and she’s struggling to save money to get her mom out of a terrible situation. Yet she spent money on a plane ticket and most likely an overpriced hotel to see me.

Me: I have an extra bedroom. Come stay with me.

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