Page 8 of Taking Chances

Every Sunday, I have brunch at my sister’s, and once a month we have dinner with our father. Ever since I introduced them, Bryce has been accompanying me, so my stomach is in my throat as I wait for my sister to open the door.

“Annie,” Kaitlyn says, taking me in a half-hearted hug. I really hate that nickname. “Where’s Bryce?” She glances behind me, as if he could have hidden behind my five-foot-five frame.

“He couldn’t make it.” I know I have to tell her. But it doesn’t mean the whole neighborhood has to hear.

I enter her picture-perfect house, straight through to the kitchen where I find Brad reading the newspaper and Maddie eating pancakes. They’re all dressed like they’re visiting a country club rather than a Sunday brunch at home, and the scene seems like it could be featured in a lifestyle magazine.

“Maddie, I brought something for you.” I smile, hugging her from behind and she turns to me with wide, expecting eyes.

I take out a Hot Wheels car from my purse and put it in her hand. She loves looking at interesting cars, and one of the first meaningful noises she made was ‘vroom vroom’. Eric, Rina’s son, has been collecting them for years, so I thought she’d like it.

And by the look in her eyes, I would say I was right. Her puffy cheeks widen into a grin, and I notice the syrup stain on her pink dress.

“Thank you, Auntie Annie,” Kaitlyn says in a saccharine voice. “Come on, sweetie. Go get cleaned up.”

Brad gets up to help Maddie. A three year old probably shouldn’t be eating breakfast in formal clothes, but I’m not nearly brave enough to suggest that to my sister.

“You know I don’t support this,” Kaitlyn scolds me.

“Sorry, support what?” Maybe my head’s still fuzzy, but I have no idea what she’s talking about.

“She’s a littlegirl,” she says through clenched teeth. “If you wish to buy her a doll, you’re welcome to, but a car? I don’t want to put strange ideas in her head.”

“It’s just a car, Kaitlyn. And she loves them.” My sister is. . . particular. I don’t agree with a lot of her opinions, but the ones limiting my niece’s childhood are the hardest for me to stomach.

Today, I have no fight left in me, so I let it slide. I’ll buy a bunch of Hot Wheels for her to play with when she visits me.

“You know my opinion on it. So, where’s Bryce?”

Here goes nothing.

“We broke up.”

“What? Why? What did you do?” She looks at me with utter shock painted on her face.

“Why do you think I did something? Maybe I’m the one who broke up with him?”

“Well, that would be stupid.” She eyes me for a second. “Is that what happened? Has another silly, romantic idea popped into your head, and you decided he wasn’t for you?” Her words slice through me. She’s referring to the time when she thought I shouldn’t have broken up with a guy that was cheating on me because he had a bright future ahead of him.

“No. He broke up with me because he fell in love with someone else.” No matter how many times I say it, it doesn’t get easier. It doesn’t make me feel less worthless.

“Oh, Annie. Is that why you look like this today?” She motions at me, as if I’m such an obvious disaster.

“I just had a couple of drinks with friends yesterday.”

She practically flinches at my words. “Getting drunk is not very ladylike, Annie. It will be hard enough to find someone on Bryce’s level without doing yourself a disservice.”

Tears sting my eyes, but I push them back. I knew it would be like this. My head hadn’t hoped for anything more. My heart did, though.

My heart hoped for a sincere hug from my sister, the only adult female member of my family. A shoulder to cry on.

But no, it’s project ‘find Annie an appropriate mate’ time.

“I’m not looking for anyone right now. I plan to take a break from relationships.” Maybe have some fun, but I don’t tell her that.

What Lennox said last night stuck with me. Was I really so desperate for love that I convinced myself Bryce was perfect for me?

“You aren’t getting any younger.” Her words, though not surprising, sting.

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