I stepped up to the front door and shook myself. It was insane that I felt so nervous. My parents would be fine. My sister would be amazing, as always. My brother-in-law would keep everyone laughing, and Layla would make sure the conversation never got too serious.
I told myself everything would be okay as I grabbed the door handle and turned it slowly.
“You’re here!” a shrill voice chimed from the living room. I lifted my eyes to see Bethany running toward me with her arms outstretched. I grinned and met her halfway.
“Hey, sis,” I said as she caught me in a bone-crushing hug.
“Ugh! I missed you so much!” She giggled and held me tighter, smoothing my hair down as she did so.
Bethany and I were almost ten years apart in age. My parents had tried for years to have another baby, but after being disappointed enough times, they gave up. A month before Bethany’s tenth birthday,
I appeared on the scene.
“There she is!” My dad’s voice rang out from behind Bethany.
I pulled away from my sister and hurried over to hug my dad. He gripped me tightly and then ushered me farther inside.
“Julie!” Bryan said when he saw me. He gave me a quick, one-armed hug and ruffled my hair. “How you been, kid?”
“Not a kid anymore, Bry,” I said with a roll of my eyes.
“You always will be to me,” he replied.
Bethany and Bryan had started dating when they were sixteen. I was in kindergarten at the time. Bryan had been around ever since. He was just as much my big brother as Bethany was my sister.
“How’s work?” Bryan asked. “Any new scoops for me?”
“Not yet,” I said. “I have a Skype interview on Monday morning with this new online journal. Keep your fingers crossed for me.”
“You’ll get it,” my dad said brightly.
“I hope so.” My stomach twitched again. The last thing I wanted to do was focus on work right now.
“You will,” Bethany said confidently. “You’re the ultimate success story. You’ve never failed at anything in your life.”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t say anything. Bethany, more than anyone, knew that wasn’t true. Still, it was nice of her to say so.
“Don’t get her hopes up,” my mother said from the kitchen. I jerked my head up to see her watching me with reproachful eyes. “If she doesn’t get it, she’ll only be more disappointed.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I said without thinking.
“I’m just being realistic, honey,” Mom said. “Someone has to be.”
I nodded and looked down at my shoes. I’d only been in the house five minutes, and already, my mom was on my case.
“Anyway,” Bethany said loudly. “How’s Ennis? I need to get down there and see your new house!”
“You do,” I said, grateful for the subject change. “But before we talk about that, where’s my niece?”
“She’s napping,” Bryan said. “She should be up soon, though.”
“Ugh, can’t we wake her?” I begged.
“Only if you want to deal with the tantrum that will ensue,” Bethany said with a laugh.
“I’d rather not,” I said, laughing along with her. Bryan and Dad joined in easily, but Mom barely cracked a smile.
“Can I help with anything?” Bethany asked. She hurried into the kitchen, but Mom shooed her away quickly.