Page 132 of Playbook
“Thanks,” she says.
“You look like our mom,” I tell her, then wonder if that’s a weird thing to say. Fuck, it’s all weird.
“I do?”
I nod. “She has red hair too and the eyes are Dad.” Hers are brown like mine.
“Does anyone else have asthma?”
“Not that I know of. Do you?” Am I allowed to ask that? I guess it’s too late to worry about it now.
“Yeah, it’s pretty bad. My doctor said it was probably genetic.”
“Maybe our grandparents did. I never met any of them. Mom’s parents died when she was young, and Dad didn’t talk to his family.”
“Seems like a common theme.”
I don’t know if she means it as a dig, but I feel a little judged. I guess it’s her family too so if she’s judging me, then she’s judging herself as well.
“Where did you grow up?” I ask.
“Flagstaff.”
All this time she’s been so close, and I had no idea.
“What do you do?” Archer asks. I’d forgotten he was here, but his hard tone reminds me that he is and he’s still not on board.
“I’m a dance teacher. Or I was. I really want to open up my own studio but first I have to figure out where I want to settle.”
“That’s cool. You dance?” A sister that’s a dancer. Each new detail feels like this secret puzzle.
“All my life.” She nods. “I played some other sports too. Never football though.”
That makes me grin, and the awkwardness between us starts to dissipate.
“I’ve been working at a night club as a cage girl while I’m here. Lilac Lounge. Do you know it?”
Archer nudges me and then signs.Did your secret sister just say she’s a stripper?
No.I glare at him as I sign.
“Sorry,” I say to Sabrina. “He was just making sure he understood what you were saying. Archer is deaf but he’s pretty good at reading lips.”
She looks at my best friend in the whole world. “I dance with my clothes on, but stripping is honest work and nothing to be ashamed of.”
My jaw drops, and Arch and I both stare at her in surprise.
“What? I know ASL.” Then she stops speaking and signs,If you are going to talk shit about me, you will have to find another way.
A rough chuckle escapes my mouth. “Ignore him. He’s just overprotective.”
“I get it. My friends weren’t thrilled about me meeting up with some guy who might be my brother either, but I had to know.”
“I’m glad you did,” I say, and once the words are out, I know they’re true. It might have been a lot less lonely growing up if she’d been around. Maybe that can still be true.
“I’m driving back to Flagstaff this afternoon, but I’ll be back next week. I know I dumped a lot on you, so I’ll let you think about all of it and get back to me.” She smiles. “I promise not to pop up out of nowhere again, but I do think it’d be cool to spend some more time together, if you want.”
I scan the crowd as Archer and I walk out onto the field for the game. It’s early still. Only the hardcore fans are in their seats while the teams warm up.
