Page 51 of You're So Vine
“I called,” I say, “but…”
Lee composes herself enough to smile.
“I was in the middle of a hanging. Pictures, not people,” she adds.
“Good to know.”
Her attention switches from me to her doppelgänger. Her sister.
“You and Debra have met.”
“You were right,” says the woman whose name I now know. “He’s good company.”
I am?
Lee steps up to me, briefly touches my arm.
“Thank you for staying here with Debra. I hate leaving her alone, but I promised ages ago that I’d help with the exhibition.”
Little light goes on. That’s why she couldn’t stay after the wedding. Had to get back here as soon as she could. Exactly how long has her sister been with her? And why hasn’t she told anyone? Like Shelby, for example? Her own daughter.
“Debra doesn’t mind being left alone,” says Lee’s sister. Her tone has that “don’t pity me” bite.
“I should go,” I say. “Due back at work.”
“Okay.” Lee’s distracted. Normally, she’d try to convince me to stay and have a cup of some healthful yet disgusting tea.
“Goodbye, friend Cam,” says Debra. “Come again. If you can.”
Lee sees me to the door. She’s biting her lip. Not her normal calm self at all.
“Cam, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone about…” She glances back, toward the deck. “Not yet.”
“Sure.”
I don’t tell her that Debra already dropped the sister bombshell. If Lee wants to keep that secret, too, then I’ll add it to the list. She’s kept enough secrets of mine these past years.
“What did you come to see me about?” she asks. “Everything okay?”
Fair assumption. I only engage with Lee when I need her. All other times we get together, it’s down to her. And I did need her. But I got Debra instead.
“Everything’s good,” I tell her, and smile to prove it.
Lee’s eyes suddenly widen. “Oh, God, I almost forgot! Is Ava okay? How is she?”
I don’t want to talk about Ava. Partly because I feel guilty as hell, but mostly because I just told Lee’s secret sister everything and I’m all talked out.
“She’s doing well,” I say. “I’ll tell her you asked after her.”
And that’s enough for both of us. Lee’s anxious to get back inside.
“Take care,” I say.
“You, too,” she replies.
And before I’m even at the truck, she’s closed the door.
Guess that old adage is true: be careful what you wish for. I came here wanting someone to listen and instead I got resoundingly told. Time’s precious. Don’t waste any more of it. Step up.
