Page 6 of Coach Me
I grab my bag and head to the door. Reaching for the light switch, I turn around to take one more look and let out a deep breath.
I did it.
“Oh my goodness. Julie, that meal was amazing.” I slide down my chair and place my hands on my belly. “Best teacher appreciation meal ever.”
Our celebratory dinners at our mom’s house have only gotten better over the years, especially since Reagan startedseeing Julie. With her officially finished with culinary school in Boston, she’s back in Rowley, and we are definitely benefiting from it.
Reagan had several teacher-themed cocktails, and her chef girlfriend cooked a meal that was perfectly on theme. Teacher’s Pet Pot Pie with apple tarts for dessert.
“Yeah, I think it’s soaked up all the Teacher’s Aid shots Rea gave us as we walked in the door.” Callie pushes her empty plate forward and follows my movement of sliding down in her chair.
“Oh don’t be such a lightweight, Cals. I have one more specialty.” Reagan shoots up from her seat, and we all groan. “Oh, come on!”
Julie reaches for my sister’s hand. “How about you make me one of the cocktails, but give everyone else the option. We still have plenty of non-alcoholic mixers.”
I can practically see the softness wash over Reagan. I might have a special connection with my sister, but no one has ever gotten through to her like Julie.
“Fine, I’ll allow it. Other than Lucie, of course, hers has to be alcohol.”
“Hey, why me?” I hiccup, but she ignores me as she gets everyone else’s preferences.
“Callie? Mom?” Reagan asks, leaving Will out because he doesn’t drink at all.
“I’ll do the cocktail, Rea, but light pour.” Our mom sends Reagan a pointed look for emphasis, but I highly doubt Reagan cares.
“Mocktail me.” Callie rests her head on my brother’s shoulder, and he smiles down at her.
Then, as Reagan pulls Julie to her with a silent request for help, this ill feeling takes over me.
Huh, maybe I do need the alcoholic drink with seeing my siblings so happy with their significant others—it doesn’t normally come with this pang of jealousy, though. Maybe it’s just all the feelings of finishing my first year of teaching, heightening everything around me…
Maybe I don’t need the alcohol.
“So, Lucie, what are your summer plans?” Callie asks.
“I’m not quite sure, the gym in town posted something about needing some extra hands for their summer programs. I thought about heading over after my meeting on Monday to see if they still need volunteers.”
“There’s no harm in taking a break for the summer, Luce,” Will says, sounding like his typical dad-like self.
Will might try to stick to being an older brother primarily, but after our dad walked out Will took on both roles—whether he meant to or not. To Reagan and me, he’s both—he has the respect of both.
“Okay, okay,” Reagan announces as she and Julie walk back in with a tray full of drinks. “This one is a little different. It’s a martini with vodka and triple sec—lemonade and orange juice for the mocktails—then cranberry juice, lime, and red sugar for the rim. Oh, and cranberries on a toothpick.”
“Ooo, fancy.” Our mom laughs. “Did you give this one a funny name too?”
“I did.” Reagan blushes for a moment and tucks her head down as she passes the drinks out.
Will and I notice the shift in her demeanor immediately. No matter how I define the relationship with my siblings or the age difference between us, I always joke that we have some sort of…spidey-sense—eh, triplet-sense. We can read each other like a book, pretty much.
Will lifts an eyebrow in silent question toward me, but I have no clue why Reagan seems nervous all of a sudden. I give him a small shrug and take my drink from Julie.
When the drinks are all passed out, Reagan takes a deep breath and raises her glass. “This one is called ‘Reagan and Julie are moving to Boston’!”
Mom and Callie process the name first while I’m frozen on my first sip.
“What? That’s so exciting!” Callie beams. “We’ll be living in the same city!”
Mom chips in next. “Reagan, this is wonderful news! Did Julie get the job at that restaurant?”
