Page 34 of Thanks for the Memories
“I’m currently hiding in my closet,” she whines. “I warned Evan to talk to her about the grandma comments. Of course, I want babies, someday, but she’s been relentless.”
“Isn’t it a little soon to be hiding in your closet?” I ask. “She just got there.”
“That’s what I’m saying,” she exclaims. “What are you doing today? Can you please call me with a fake crisis to give me an excuse to leave?”
“What kind of crisis?”
“I don’t know. Make up something,” she begs.
“Bethany and I are going shopping. You don’t have to make anything up, just say you want to see an old friend. I’m sure Barbara will understand.”
“Maybe.”
I let out an exasperated sigh. “You’re making this into more than it is. Tell her that I called and invited you to join us. That will at least get you out of the house to clear your head.”
Hopefully, my sister will be on her best behavior today and doesn’t make things awkward. She’s always a bit of a wild card. That being said, I’ll take a day of shopping rather than her actually staying with me. Sometimes you have to pick your battles.
* * *
I’m pretty sure Bethany has already fallen in love with Miami, and it hasn’t even been twenty-four hours. Her first request is to go to South Beach, so we head to breakfast on Ocean Ave. There’s a little café I love, and it’s the perfect location right by the beach and excellent for people watching. You never know what you’ll see on South Beach.
Bethany’s wearing a V-neck, cropped top with denim shorts and wedges. Her hair is pushed back with a pair of Gucci sunglasses, and as my grandma Joanna would say, she seems happier than a pig in mud.
“So, what do you think so far?” I ask after we’re seated at an outdoor table on the covered patio. The café has huge ceiling fans, and it’s situated perfectly to get the breeze off the ocean.
She gives me a curious look. “About what?”
I hold my arms out. “Miami.”
“Oh, I absolutely love it. I guess there’s some truth to that saying about people being happier in tropical climates. I already feel like a different person, and I just got here.”
She takes a sip of her water.
“Now I understand why you wanted to move here so badly,” she continues. “Winter is coming, and I’m dreading it. Especially after seeing this view.”
She points to the pristine ocean backdrop.
This is the moment I was the most worried about. Just her mentioning my decision to move opens the topic for discussion.
“I know it was difficult for you when I left, and believe me, that was the hardest part for me too.” I clear my throat. “I never wanted to make you feel like I was abandoning you.”
She stares out to the ocean but doesn’t say anything.
“Hey, girls. I’m here,” a voice calls.
Bethany and I turn to see Kennedy walking down the sidewalk, waving her arms back and forth.
As usual, my sister has the worst timing. Although I wasn’t looking forward to having that conversation with Bethany, it would’ve been good to get it over with.
“Hey, Bethany.” She stops and gives her a once-over.
“Whoa, someone grew up,” she exclaims, her eyes wide.
Bethany stands up and holds her arms out. “Hi, Kennedy.”
My sister looks as surprised as I was by the changes in Bethany’s appearance. And she doesn’t waste any time asking her all the questions.
“You have to give me your doctor’s info because I might need to go back to Chicago to get a few nips and tucks,” she insists.
