Page 76 of Love & Other Disasters

With Violet asleep, he grabbed his work laptop, and logged in sitting at her table. Twenty pots of varying sizes and shapes crowded the floor between the table and the front window. Most of them had only green foliage sticking out everywhere, but a couple had flowers dying back. Did house plants also follow the seasons, even while living indoors?

The sound of a car on the gravel in the driveway caught his attention, bringing him out of his work. He yawned and noted the time. How was it five already? Violet still curled on the end of the sofa, hadn’t moved in over two hours.

He did a double take at the blonde visitor. “Jill,” he said.

“Oh, you’re still around?”

“Charming as ever, I see. What can I do for you?”

“Where’s my sister?”

“Sick,” J.P. replied. “Looks like the flu.” Another car crunched onto the gravel. He hoped it was the neighbors coming home and not another surprise visitor, but Monique appeared at the bottom of the steps, staring up at them.

“You must be the sister,” Monique said. “What are you doing here?”

“I don’t have to explain anything to you. Who are you?” Jill asked.

“I’m a friend,” she said. “Came by to check and see if white bread here knew how to take care of her.”

Great. Outside of work, was he expected to take abuse from her friends?

“I’m taking care of Violet just fine.”

“Oh, she knows Violet’s sick, but I don’t?” Jill scoffed.

“Cause you’re mad at her for some stupid reason that’s your own fault.” Monique crossed her arms over her chest.

“You stay out of this,” Jill pointed at her then whirled around on him. “Where is she?” she demanded.

“Asleep.”

The ladies stared at him. Was he expected to let them in here with a sick person?

“J.P.?” Violet yawned.

“What can I do?” He turned, pushing the door closed and crossed to Violet.

“What’s going on?”

“I wanted to check on you,” Monique said coming around him toward Violet. “If you need anything at all. I’m so very sorry for what happened between us.”

“What…why?”

Then, Jill stepped around both of them. “And I am even sorrier.”

“Jill?” Violet sat up slowly. She leaned against the back of the sofa and groaned.

“All right, look, Violet needs rest to get better, and she doesn’t need you two upsetting her.” And they ignored him, both talking in unison at Violet. She closed her eyes, rubbing her forehead.

“Enough,” his voice boomed. Jill and Monique stopped and stared. He lowered his voice. “She’s sick and doesn’t have the energy for you,” he pointed at Jill. “And I can take care of her,” he pointed to Monique. “Now, you both have to stop. You can make things right when she feels better. But for now, get out.”

“And don’t think we won’t discuss that special agent interviewing me today,” Monique mumbled as she passed.

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