Page 69 of One Short Summer

Just then, Monica turns to face Tommy so she can talk to him. Facing the little boy means turning her back toward us. I point my finger toward Monica and hear Rose gasp beside me. “Do I have to explain more?”

“Oh my goodness, that little rascal.” Her hand goes up to cover her mouth but not before the laughter flows out of it, and I can’t help but laugh about it all over again.

Little Tommy thought it would be a fantastic idea to go beyond the handprints we made with paint on paper and smack Monica’s butt when she unsuspectingly turned away from him to help the child sitting next to him.

“I have to say, it does look very artsy though. Perfectly proportioned too.” Rose’s head is tilted sideways as we both blatantly stare at Monica’s butt that is now adorned with two little handprints in bright red—one on each butt cheek.

She does have a point, even though I might be a bit biased. To me, anything looks good on Monica’s butt, especially my hands.

Monica has halfway tackled the little boy now, tickling his sides as he begs for forgiveness. Their giggles ring through the whole room, making the other kids giggle too.

Both of their faces wear matching smiles, and I realize how much it suits her. It also makes me wish she could see herself the way I see her. As this warm, caring woman with a heart of gold, who deserves to be happy. Who deserves a supportive partner and kids and whatever else she wants.

Why anyone would ever think less of her is beyond me. Not to mention, say it straight to her face, hurting her feelings without a care in the world. Because if there’s one thing Monica excels at, it’s putting up a strong front for everyone, not wanting to show any weakness.

Of course, sheisa strong woman, one of the strongest ones I know besides the women in my family. There’s so much more to her than that facade though, but she barely ever lets anyone see the other softer, and more vulnerable, side to her. Which I think is a shame.

Rose pulls me out of my thoughts by elbowing me in the side, and not gently either, her voice lower than before. “You were right about her, you know.”

“Right about what?” I have about a million different possible things flying through my head she could be talking about, but I won’t give her the satisfaction of blurting out something that might be way off.

I know my sister. She’s the sneakiest one in our family, always trying to pry information out of everyone, always putting her nose into everyone’s business, if they want her to or not.

She lets out a little huff before speaking. “About her being so good with kids. It’s like she was born to work with them. It’s adorable to watch.”

“Agreed.” Of course, I agree because, without a doubt, it’s one of the funniest and cutest things to watch. Monica loves the little ones, and they adore her in return, following her around like little baby ducklings—imprinting on their momma duck the second they lay eyes on her. I’ve witnessed that not only with Mira, but the little kids that practiced at the yoga studio up in Lake Tahoe too. They’re all drawn to her.

“You two have gotten pretty close.” She turns to face me, and her eyes are on my profile, probably trying to magically read my mind. “Especially over the last few weeks. Something has changed, hasn’t it?”

No reason to lie or be vague. I’m sure it’s pretty obvious we’re close friends. We live together, for goodness’ sake. “Yes.”

“How close, exactly?”

I shoot her an annoyed look she fully deserves. Even if I felt like talking to someone about my intimate relationship with Monica, it certainly wouldn’t be with my little sister—not that I’d spill the beans anyway. I’m certain Rose knows that too and is merely playing with me, trying to see how far she can push me.

“She’s my best friend, Rose. That’s how close. Are you happy now?”

The look in her eyes softens, and I avert my gaze, afraid to give something away without even saying a word. “I can tell she means a lot to you. To all of us. She came into our little town, bulldozing her way straight into all of our hearts. We’ll all miss her, you know?”

“Yeah, I know.” A frustrated groan builds in my chest, working its way up my throat, but I swallow it before it can get past my lips. “She’s been working hard on getting back on her feet so she can dance again.”

She nods. “I’m sure she did. I didn’t say she doesn’t deserve it, just that we’ll all miss her. I guess I just wish she could stay here forever. She fits right in with all of us.”

I stay silent, not sure what to say to that. I just told my sister Monica is my best friend, so naturally, I want her to stay too.

Rose continues to stare at me, suddenly putting her hands up to her hips. I’m not sure what caused her change in behavior, but that’s normal with Rose.

The hair at the nape of my neck stands up in nervous anticipation of what’s going to come out of her mouth next.

When she points her finger at me on top of it, I’m pretty sure I won’t like what she has to say.

“You know what, Gabe? I don’t really care what ‘best friend’ crap you’re feeding me because I know you’re full of it. Iknow, under all those layers of denial and deflection you’ve piled up like they’re winter coats and you’re in Siberia, Monica means a lot more to you than you’ll admit to me, and probably even to yourself. Monica is one of the best people I’ve ever met. She’s kind, super fun, talented, and gorgeous. She’s family by choice and not by blood. Heck, I like her better than some of the people in our family.”

She blows a strand of hair out of her face, and her shoulders sag a little with her next words. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen you this happy, and I think she’s the best thing that has ever happened to you. Yet, here you are, spouting all this BS while watching her from afar. I can only hope you’re smart enough to come to your senses, and do something about it before it’s too late.”

With that, she turns around and marches out of the room, just as Monica walks over to me with a big smile on her face that falls the second she gets a good look at me and my dumbfounded expression.

I force a smile as I join her and we finish up class together. No need for her to catch wind of Rose’s advice I wasn’t asking for in the first place.

---