Page 53 of Third Time is the Charm
“How about up there?” She pointed up to the only partially-filled shelf above the ladder rung.
Beth nodded, taking one box at a time and hoisting them up into the closet, closing the door when she was done.
“It looks like mom cleaned in here,” Lydia mused.
“Well, I’m sure she wanted it to be presentable… in case of guests.”
“Mmm.”
“When do you go back?” Beth asked, watching her sister look nostalgically over the room that had belonged to a very different girl.
“Tomorrow. I took Monday off because I have a doctor’s appointment in the afternoon anyway.”
“Are you going to tell mom before you go?” Beth asked quietly, wondering how long her sister was going to try to hide the fact that she was going to be a single mom.
“I just told dad,” Lydia responded, meeting Beth’s eyes. “I haven’t decided what to do about mom, if I should tell her or if maybe dad should, or if I should just wait.”
Beth walked up and put her arms around her sister, feeling the weight Lydia carried on her shoulders emanate from her.
“It will be ok,” Beth reassured her, pulling back from the hug to look her sister in the eyes. “I wish I could tell you with certainty that it’s better just to tell her and get it over with, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t be a good example at following my own advice.”
Lydia chuckled. “I know. I’m going to tell her; dad thinks I should, too. I know how she’s going to respond, so I’m prepared; I’ll just remind her that at least she has Jane to fulfill her ‘perfect daughter plans.’” She sighed and Beth knew that even though she’d said it as a joke, Lydia felt like she was letting their mother down. “But, this is my life, and I can’t continue to live with George the way things are. I don’t know what’s going to happen; I can’t even think about getting a divorce from him right now. Not that I plan on going on dates any time soon,” she paused, motioning to her growing stomach as the reason. “I just need to focus on the baby.”
“Don’t let mom get to you; above all her plans and schemes, she loves you and wouldn’t want you to be unhappy, no matter how hard it can be for her to admit that when you don’t do what she wants you to. You know if you need anything, you can always call me,” Beth offered.
Lydia smiled in gratitude, “I know. I need to do this on my own; not just for the baby, but for myself.”
Beth sighed, heading for the door as Lydia trailed behind her. “I know that feeling,” she murmured, mostly to herself.
I think I’m going to take a bath, my feet are killing me after yesterday,” Lydia said, stopping by the door to the bathroom on that floor. “Plus, it will relax me before mom gets home.”
“Ok, I want to talk to dad and then I’m going to head out, so I don’t know if I’ll see you again before I leave.” Beth embraced her youngest sister one more time, holding her tightly as she tried to give her whatever strength she possessed.
“Thanks, Beth, for being so understanding. I know I haven’t been the easiest sister,” Lydia murmured into her ear.
“Don’t… you’re my sister and I love you. Thank you for being there for me this weekend, too.”
“Good luck with Darcy,” she offered.
Beth let out a laugh, trying not to let the sudden urge to cry overcome her. “Why would I need luck? And why do you think I would need luck with him?” She said it lightly, trying to play down the relationship drama going on in her own life.
“Because, it’s always been him,” Lydia replied with that eerie sense of wisdom she somehow acquired. “I may be pregnant and emotional and fat, but I’m not blind.”
Beth nodded, the tears threatening to fall.Neither of them needed that right now.Kissing Lydia on the cheek, Beth turned and headed for the stairs, yelling over her shoulder, “have a safe flight tomorrow, I’ll talk to you soon!”
It wasn’t a good-bye, it was a promise.
Coming home this weekend may have clouded many things, but it had made her relationship with Lydia much clearer and for that, she was grateful, she thought as she knocked lightly on the door to her father’s study before entering.
Her dad looked up from the book he was reading, sitting on the couch by the unlit fireplace.
“Beth,” he said warmly with a touch of sadness.
“Hey, dad.” She walked over and sat down next to him on the couch, her head falling to the side onto his shoulder as his arm came around hers.
“I’ve missed you,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “How’s Boston?”
“It’s good,” she replied, before answering the question that he was really asking. “I’m good.”
