Page 22 of The Lake House

“Easy, pumpkin. I don’t want you to fall and get hurt.” I sweep her up into my arms and bid Ms. Laura farewell, and then we exit the daycare.

* * *

“That smells good!” my little girl announces as we step foot inside my sister’s place.

Cheryl lifts Lily up, hugging her as Lily’s face gets buried on her shoulder. “Hey, princess! I made your favorite.”

I close the door behind me and then turn around to see Lily playing with my sister’s necklace; her favorite piece she had received from our father on her sixteenth birthday. “Hey, Sis.”

Cheryl lifts her chin at me. “Hey, big bro.”

“Is it fish-sties?” Lily asks, meaning fish sticks. Her stare is still fixated on the ruby on my sister’s chain.

She bounces Lily on her other hip and then places a finger on her little chin. “Yup, fish sticks with a side of french fries.” She places her down on the ground and Lily takes off running, screaming happily.

“Yay!” Lily races to the living room where I’m assuming she’s attacking the chest of toys my sister has set aside for her for whenever we come over.

Cheryl looks me up and down. “You been eating? You’re looking a bit frail.”

“Frail?” I give her a puzzling look.

“Yes. Frail.”

I shake my head. “You saw me just a few days ago, and now, all of a sudden, I look frail?” We come over to my sister’s every single week. How am I looking frail now all of a sudden? That’s all I need her to do; run to our mother and tell her I haven’t been eating. She’ll come stay at my house to make sure Lily and I are getting our proper nutrition. Fuck my life. I love my mother, but I can’t have her living with me or spending more than a few days at my house.

She nods as she analyzes me further. “Yes, you do. I can’t help it if you’re not eating.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “I’m eating. Trust me, I’m eating. I’ll tell you what though… I’m planning on devouring dinner tonight.” I pause for a second as the smell of food wafts into my nostrils. “But fish sticks and french fries, Cher? What are we, five?”

Cheryl shrugs. “It’s your daughter’s favorite. I have to please my niece.”

I look at the ground in front of me and realize I’ve lost this one.

“Hey,” Cheryl then says, bringing my gaze back to hers.

“Huh?” I ask, looking at her.

She smiles widely. “You better always think of me as your favorite sister… I made you a roasted chicken with potatoes. You’re welcome.”

Cheryl is my only sister, three years younger than me.

“Cherrie, you’re my only sister, but if you weren’t, you would definitely be my favorite.” I give her a wide open grin.

“Good.”

“I’m freaking starving after having skipped lunch today.”

She jumps up and points at me. “Ah ha! See, I knew it! You’re not eating! I knew it! I’m telling Mom.” She turns and runs off in the kitchen’s direction.

I give up.

* * *

Trying to explain to my sister why I didn’t have a chance to eat today, is like pulling teeth. You don’t always get to take off or have a lunch break when you own your own business. I had been super busy today, and there was no way I could step away.

But she’s just like my mother; she thinks you should always make time for yourself and to eat, no matter the cost. I can’t afford that luxury. Not right now anyway, with about ten deals I’m trying to close this month.

Once the food is ready, we gather at the table and dive in.

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