Page 51 of The Cottage on Blueberry Bay

“You know I do have a life,” Meredith snapped. “I can’t just pack up and stay in Maine anytime I want. I have things to do.”

Remy slanted her head like Meredith was making things up. “Come on, Mer. You have time to figure this out without rushing to sell.”

“I don’t just sit around eating Bonbons all day.” Meredith didn’t want to admit that shewouldbe sitting around since she didn’t have the kids at home and most of her friends were spending time with their own families. Even Gordon was too busy in retirement to hang out by the pool. Besides, he didn’t go in the sun anymore.

“I know that,” Remy said, too calmly, which irritated Meredith even more.

“Just because I’m not married and don’t have a husband to take care of doesn’t mean I have nothing to do.” Meredith could feel her blood begin to boil. Just looking at Remy’s lackadaisical smile made her even more upset.

“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, but this could be good for you,” Remy said, but she was still so completely unaware, like always.

“How?”

“Well, you haven’t talked about Phillip and the new baby,” Remy said.

And like a wave sweeping her off her feet, Meredith felt her blood turn cold by Remy’s comment. “Wow, Remy, I can’t believe you.”

Remy’s face went from a stupid smile to horrified. “I didn’t mean to be mean, but you have a really big opportunity here and you’re pushing to go back to being miserable.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Meredith’s voice was starting to rise. She didn’t want to get into it with Remy. She really didn’t. But her sister had crossed the line by bringing Phillip into the conversation. “You don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

“You let Phillip hang on to you, and I just don’t understand why.” Remy shook her head. “He was a cheater and a liar, and he ruined your family. Why do you still allow him in your life?”

“He was my husband for over twenty-five years. The father of my children,” Meredith said. “I can’t just pretend he doesn’t exist. I can’t just stop loving someone.”

Remy shook her head. “You used to be so…”

“So what, Remy?” Meredith knew she was picking a fight. Egging Remy on to shut her down. She had no right to talk about Meredith’s relationship, or to pass judgment. “At least Phillip will answer my phone calls.”

She could almost see her words hit Remy.

“You’re right,” Remy said, looking straight at Meredith, going toe to toe with her older sister. “I would ignore your calls sometimes.”

There it was. Her sister was ignoring her.

“You knew I was hurting.” Meredith wanted to scream it.

“Yes, but you never even bothered to look outside your own pain to see that other people were hurting, too,” Remy said. “I lost Mom, too.”

Meredith couldn’t believe Remy right now. “I lost my motherandmy husband.”

“Have you ever thought maybe other people were going through stuff, too?” Remy crossed her arms against her stomach. “But you didn’t even bother to know what was going on with me. You don’t bother to know about anyone else.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Meredith said.

“You had a lifetime to ask about your father,” Remy said, pointing her hand at the paintings Meredith had taken from the barn. “You never even bothered to ask about him. Ever.”

Meredith stood there. “Why should I bother to ask about him?”

“Because you would’ve found out that he clearly couldn’t be a fit father or husband, and that by letting you and Mom go, he gave you the greatest father instead.” Remy shook her head. “And now you’re fighting with me instead of asking about my own problems.”

“Okay,” Meredith said, crossing her arms against her chest, playing along with Remy’s game. “Tell me then. What’s going on with you?”

Meredith immediately felt ashamed of herself when she saw her sister’s tears. What was she doing fighting with Remy? Why did she want everyone to be as miserable as her?

“Joe no longer wants to keep trying to have a baby. It’s been too hard for him,” Remy said. “Now he just wants to focus on work.”

Meredith could feel Remy’s pain as her sister wrapped her arms around her stomach.

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