Page 49 of Greedy Grizzly
Geez, now I felt a little bad for not sharing my horrible news after I’d been there to support Tina and her family. I’d even gotten shot. This was my opportunity to deepen our friendship, as I had with Maddy, except this was my own private business and not Landon’s.
“I got a text from my sister.”
“Sister? You have a sister?”
“Mhm. Please don’t tell anyone.”
“You can trust me.” She patted my hand to assure me. “Having a sister is huge.”
“I guess it is huge. We’ve been estranged for almost ten years. But we still have each other’s phone numbers.” Something I was now regretting.Stop it. She’s your sister.
“If you don’t mind me asking, why are you estranged? I’m an only child and dreamed of having a sister.”
“It’s a long story. Let’s just say the last time I saw her, she slammed the door in my face.”
Tina’s eyes widened with intrigue. “Really?”
“Yup, and quite literally.” I wasn’t sure how much to share with Tina. We wouldn’t be alone for too much longer, before the other old ladies filed in for supper. “Basically, my sister was a prostitute and I stole her favorite customer away from her. I left home to be with him and a couple of years later he proposed to me. I turned him down and had nowhere to go but back home.”
“Phew! If that’s the short story, you packed a lot into it.” She adjusted Izan in her arms when he started to fuss and put him to her breast to nurse.
“There’s so much more I could tell you, but the others will be here soon.”
“I understand, honey. But why did you turn down the proposal? Did you not love him?”
“That’s just it, I did love him.” I swallowed the emotional lump in my throat. “My mom had breast cancer and died when she was forty-two. My sister and I were screened for the genetic gene, which we both have.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“I didn’t want to burden Bryan or pass on the gene to my child. He wanted a couple of kids.”
“I see.” The warmth and understanding flowing out of Tina was what made so many love her, including me.
“You let him go,” she said.
“Yes.”
“What about the text from your sister?”
“She has breast cancer and will be at the Mayo Clinic Friday. She thought I should know, but I think she wants me to be there.”
“Oh, wow. That’s not very much notice. What do you think you’ll do?”
“Honestly, I wish I hadn’t read the text. I have other stuff on my plate. Cancer and my sister would send me over.” Then again, I could probably convince Landon or Toby to go with me. Their strength and support would make seeing my sister a little easier.
“I get it. Do what you feel is right for you, because it sounds like she really hurt you.” Sadness crossed her pretty face. Tina wore her heart on her sleeve and never tried to hide her feelings. I appreciated that about her. She was so authentic and genuine.
“She did, but I think I hurt her more.” I turned my gaze to the suckling baby in her arms, to hide my regret. Maybe someday I could be more honest like Tina.
A pang stabbed me in the breast. I would probably never know what it felt like to feed my own child from my body. The thought made me want to cry, so I shifted my focus to the adorable Sophia. She had dark hair and eyes like her daddy, olive skin, and the sweetest chubby cheeks ever.
“Possibly, but she did text you out of the blue. Maybe she’s gotten over it.”
“Maybe.” I’d be shocked if Bridget forgave me. She had a long memory and had never been the forgiving type.
“Who texted you out of the blue?” Maddy took the chair next to me. She had Chase in a baby sling and hoisted Birdie onto the chair beside her. Coloring books and crayons were placed on the table in front of the toddler. But Maddy’s curious eyes were locked on me, waiting patiently for my answer.
“My sister,” I mindlessly said. Truthfully, the more I opened up to my friends, the easier it got.
