Page 10 of Only This Once
“Hey, sweetie. You got everything you need?” Ben asked her.
Piper nodded, then moved to her mother, giving her a quick hug before heading to the door.
Sam was back with his laptop bag, but he didn’t say goodbye to Rachel before leaving.
“I’ll text you before I head this way on Sunday,” Ben said, his hand on the door.
Rachel opened her mouth, but the door shut before she got out any words. “He knows we have a set time,” she muttered, moving back to the stove.
Julia followed behind her, picking up the empty box from the noodles and moving to the trash to dispose of it. “You’re doing better at setting boundaries.”
Rachel shook her head, stirring the sauce. “It’s still a work in progress.”
“But it’s progress. Give yourself a little credit.”
Rachel snorted. “I don’t need a pep talk. Who’s the older sister here?”
“Mentally or by years?” Julia asked, grinning back when her sister scowled at her.
“You’re still the baby, Jules.”
“Sure, if you’re focused on the construct of time.” She began rearranging the things on the kitchen island for something to do with her hands.
The front door opened and two more sisters came in. Heather was the oldest, happily married to her high school sweetheart for twenty years already with three mostly grown boys. Maria was just a few years older than Julia, her smile the widest and her appearance a bit on the whimsical side of business casual for a new high school teacher.
“We’re here!” Maria called, as if that even needed to be said. She followed Heather toward the kitchen.
“Dinner is almost ready.” Rachel’s eyes landed on the tray of garlic bread. “Oh, shoot, except for the bread.” She picked up the tray, sliding it in the oven and setting a timer.
“That’s my fault,” Julia reminded her, wanting to soothe her sister’s fluster.
“Ben was late again?” Heather asked, leaning on the kitchen island.
“And Rachel let him know that wasn’t acceptable,” Julia added before Rachel could snap that it was none of their business.
“When I was pulling up, the kids looked happy at least.” Maria put the dessert she’d brought down on the kitchen island.
Rachel carried the pot of pasta to the sink to drain, ignoring them all.
Julia changed the subject. “What did you bring for dessert?”
“A Chantilly cake!” Maria carefully opened the box to show them. Fruit decorated the white frosting, looking bright and cheery, just like her.
Heather groaned. “Can’t you ever bring anything healthy? I’m trying to diet again.”
“It has fruit,” Maria said, as if that made it all better.
“Oh.” Rachel froze at the sink. “I forgot. I made pasta.”
“No worries.” Heather lifted her contribution. “I brought salad. Besides, I’m not changing what I eat as much as reducing overall portion sizes. You’re good.”
Rachel nodded, but her shoulders remained tight.
Julia moved over to the sink. “Want me to help take something out to the table?”
They all began moving, chatting about nothing and everything as they organized the food on the dining room table. Rachel was just sitting down when the alarm went off for the bread.
Julia popped up first. “That’s my portion. I’ll grab it.”
