Page 51 of Promise Me Nothing
“She’s only twelve,” I say, as if that means anything. “That’s too young to be wearing makeup.”
“I know you’re talking about me,” Ivy says from behind me.
I spin to look at her.
Don’t talk about me when I’m right here and can’t hear you. It’s really rude.
I nod.You’re right. I’m sorry.I pause.I was saying you’re too young to be wearing makeup.
Mom said it was okay.
Yeah and we both know what mom says is always a good idea.
Ivy glares at me, the cute smile she gave me earlier long gone. But that lightning quickness of emotional change is just what being a pre-teen is all about, if I remember correctly.
I cross my arms.I’m not saying you can’t wear it. I just don’t like it, is all. You’re growing up too quickly.
She smirks at me, then looks back at the mirror resting on the counter in front of her.
Well, hurry up with your face, short stuff. We have a brother to see and delicious lunch to enjoy. We’re leaving in five minutes.
She whoops and hops off her stool at the counter, leaving her makeup and mirror behind. Then she bolts up the stairs with more energy than I thought she had in her tiny little body.
“You don’t actually think that’s a good idea, do you?”
I glance over at Vicky. “Well, Ben needs to know I’m in town and Ivy wants to see her brother.”
Vicky rolls her eyes. “I’m sure Ben already knows you’re in town. If you were riding your motorcycle around, and spending time at the marina,everyoneknows you’re back in town.”
I smirk at her. “I’ll see you later Vicky.”
Heading to the stairs, I lean against the wall with my arms crossed waiting for Ivy. I can hear her upstairs, thundering around like she weighs three hundred pounds, trying to get ready.
I glance at the clock that hangs above the entry table. Sure enough, with just ten seconds to spare, Ivy comes sprinting down, taking the stairs two at a time, coming so fast she nearly crashes into the wall at the base of the stairs.
I reach out to catch her but she braces herself. Then she looks to me with a smile.
Alright, mister, I’m ready. Let’s go!
Fifteen minutes later, I pull up behind Bennie’s in the loading dock, parking off to the side to allow for delivery trucks to still get in and out.
Ivy looks at me.You’re not supposed to park here.
Well we get special privileges,I tell her.
She rolls her eyes and opens up her door, slamming it behind her before I’ve even turned the key.
I sigh.
I love my sister to death. But it really is amazing how much she changes each time I see her. It makes me feel old when I’m barely in my mid-twenties.
Powering off the car, I open my door and step out of my own seat, following in her wake to the entrance.
The Escalade my mom bought last summer, when she was going through a car-buying phase along with her friend Joyce, is my favorite car to drive when I’m in town.
Mostly when I’m visiting, I just stay on my bike. I don’t need a car, and if I’m hooking up with someone, they ride bitch.
But when I’m driving my sister around, safety is priority number one.
