We chat about everything under the sun during lunch. How her parents are doing with her being so far away. They are coming in tomorrow and staying with Chris’s parents. Apparently, they really hit it off at the engagement party and have become great friends.
“How’s your mom doing?” she asks me, and my stomach twists.
My mom isthemom. You know, the house everyone went to. Where they knew there would always be snacks and juice packs. That was my house. And my mom would also make huge batches of cookies, cupcakes, or brownies.
“Well, James told her he wants to join the military.”
I tap my fork on the plate. He told all of us over Facetime, right before I got on my plane to come here. That was a fun thing to wake up to.
Sarah’s eyes grow big, and her fork stops mid bite.
“I’m guessing that didn’t sit well?”
“My mom definitely didn’t take it well. She understands why he wants to go, free college and all, but who knows where he will end up.”
“True.”
“And he will be the first one of us kids to leave the state.”
I’m proud of my brother. Joining the military is not something I want or feel like I could do.
“Do you think your mom is more worried about him leaving or them being empty-nesters?”
“I’m not sure. You know my mom—she was made to be a mom. I don’t know what she is going to do after James leaves.”
“Maybe she will volunteer or get a hobby. She could play golf.”
“My dad wouldn’t mind that,” I say, laughing.
The server comes over, and Chrissy grabs the check before I can.
“This time. I’m paying next time,” I tell her.
She nods her head and hands the lady her card.
Chapter three
Chrissy
“Fridaynight.Youreadyto paaaarty,” I say to Sarah.
I smack her butt as I pass her to go to the other side of the bathroom counter.
“I may have a drink, but I don’t plan on getting drunk,” she says.
“Well, I do, so let’s make sure there is a bottle of Pedialyte and ibuprofen on my nightstand.”
She rolls her eyes at me. I grab the black eyeliner off the counter. I give myself a small cat eye look, nothing too crazy. I run pink gloss over my lips and make a pop sound before I pass it to Sarah.
She has never been one for a lot of makeup, so it surprises me when she puts the gloss on.
She sets the gloss down then turns to leave the bathroom.
“Aren’t you going to do your hair?” I ask her.
“I’m just going to put a hat on. I don’t want to take a chance that I could damage my hair.”
She turns and leaves the room. I plug the curling iron in and grab my phone from my back pocket.