Page 57 of Compared
“I'm not sure. I'm just doing this as a favor to Dad.”
I lean against the kitchen counter. “Well, this is going to be an awkward night.”
“I think it sounds exciting,” Nigel says as he takes another celery stick, dips it in ranch dressing, and pops it in his mouth.
Brooke gives him a half smile. “That's because it's not your dad bringing a date.”
“I told you, it’s not a date.”
“Meg, you’re fooling yourself if you think this isn’t a date. Dad spends all of his free time talking about Anna Mae. They hang out at least three times a week. I think it's safe to say she's more than a friend.”
“Is this the one that looks like your mom?” Ben asks.
Tessa closes the magazine and pushes it away from her. “Yeah. Has Brooke shown you the pictures?”
Ben nods. “The resemblance is uncanny.”
I hate this. I hate how casually my sisters are talking about my dad dating.
“Doesn't this seem...” I look behind my shoulder to make sure my dad isn't coming. “Doesn’t this seem too soon?”
Tessa shrugs. “I don't know. He's lonely, and he misses Mom.”
“We all miss Mom, but that doesn't mean we're going to go out and find a walking, talking replica to replace her.”
Brooke puts the rest of the vegetables back in the refrigerator. “He's not replacing her.”
“That's what it feels like.”
“Meg, I would’ve thought you’d be all about this. Everyone knows you’re Dad’s favorite,” Brooke says.
“If you don’t like his new girlfriend, you’re going down a notch.” Tessa raises her brows toward me, adding, “Which means I can move in and take your place.”
Brooke turns to me. “All I'm saying is that I thought you would be a little bit more understanding.”
I’m trying to be understanding. I really am. I want my dad to be happy, but at the same time, it feels like he’s betraying my mom.
“And I thought that you guys would be on Mom’s side a little bit more.”
“How can we be on Mom's side? She’s dead.”
I give Tessa a barbed look. “You know what I mean.”
“I’m sure Anna Mae is awonderful person,” Tessa says, impersonating my dad.
“Has anyone ever thought about how Anna Mae’s name sounds exactly likeanime?” Nigel asks.
We all stare back at him with blank faces.
“Her nameisAnna Mae,” Brooke says.
“No, like Japanese animation. A-N-I-M-E.” Nigel looks around. “Anime is my favorite pastime.”
“That’s great,” I say, with a halfhearted nod.
Nigel is what I want—a nice man. I need to embrace everything that comes with it.
“Meg?” My dad says, coming around the corner. “When did you get here?”
