Elis- Two Weeks Later
“So, Devlynn, how is your mother doing? She can’t be having a good time of it, especially with the press constantly looking for new angles.” My mom sipped her after-dinner drink, eyes on my girl.
She squirmed at my side, her nails embedding into my thigh under the dinner table. “She’s been struggling. I stop over most mornings and deliver coffee. She has good nights and bad nights.” Devlynn’s smile was strained. “Thank you for asking.”
Mom’s eyes moved from me to Devlynn and back again. I swallowed, hearing the unspoken words, thick like butter, hanging in the air between the three of us.
The truth was, I’d had to convince Devlynn to come to dinner at my mom’s house. It’d been mom’s idea, and Devlynn had refused at first, but she’d softened the more I told her how forgiving my mom was. The past was in the past. It’d taken a lot of rough years, but my mother finally believed that, and she never harbored any ill will toward Devlynn’s family.
I hoped tonight would prove that to Devlynn once and for all, and I think that was exactly what Mom had in mind when she’d asked us here—clearing the air between our families.
“Devlynn…” My mom covered Devlynn’s hand with hers. “I can’t lie and say I didn’t wish for a different outcome for our situation a hundred different times.” Mom’s eyes were wet with emotion. “But spending the last hour with the two of you has me so—” she trailed off as she wiped at the corner of her eyes “—so grateful that we’re all right where we are today. I hope your mom heals and can overcome the loss of your father—he was a great man.”
“He had so many shortcomings,” Devlynn whispered, wiping her tears. “Mom says he worked too much, and that’s what—” Devlynn shook her head, and her lips snapped closed. “Well, she’s told me so much about that time. I know she has regrets.”
“We all do, sweetheart. Trust me when I say everyone does, and anyone who tells you differently is plain lying to themselves.”
I laced my fingers with Devlynn’s, bringing her knuckles to mine for a kiss. “I have a million.”
Devlynn's smile cracked. A tear rolled down her cheek, forcing me to catch it with my thumb.
“All of my regrets begin and end with you, Devlynn. Our past.”
“That’s one of my regrets too, kids.” Mom patted her eyes with a napkin. “I see the special love you share, and I’m so sad it was put on hold because of that other bullshit.”
We sat silently, her words lingering before I cleared my throat and stood, stacking our plates and carrying them to the sink.
“Hey, loser!” Sarena burst through the dining room doors with a crooked smile aimed at me. “Oh, did I miss dinner?”
Sarena scanned the room, seeing Mom wiping her tears and Devlynn rubbing her back soothingly.
“Leave those dishes, Elis. Sarena and I will do them later.” Mom waved a palm at me. “We’ve had enough fuss for one night.”
“Wait… I didn’t even get to eat dinner, and I have to clean up?” Sarena scrunched her nose. “I need to find a job—I had an interview this morning at the shoe department of Bergdorf’s, but the manager didn’t look too happy by the time I left.”
“Oh, dear…” Mom bit down on her lip.
“Why the hell would you want to work there?” I shot from the kitchen.
“Shut up, Elis. Not everyone can live off paint fumes and angst. I need some cash flow as soon as freakin’ possible.”
“Language, Sarena.” Mom stood from the table, a small smile twitching on her lips. We’d been through a lot over the years, and my mom’s attitude pulled us through every one of them.
“Wait. I might know someone who’s hiring.” A grin lit Devlynn’s lips. “Let me text someone. Hang on.” She dug into her bag, and her fingers sped across the screen.
“Anything but waitressing.” Sarena popped a piece of crispy broccolini into her mouth from the bowl left on the table. “I’m a horrible waitress. I’ve been fired from three places.”
“Three? I thought it was two.” I frowned.
“Third was the coffee shop. I fucked up the orders daily. It was awful.”
I laughed, thinking my sister’s talents were few and far between. She wasn’t talentless, but she was a free spirit and an artist. Her skills on the piano and violin were unmatched by anyone in our family, but short of being a music teacher, it was hard to monetize a skill like that.
“I need…something…”
“Easy?” I offered unhelpfully.
“Low-key.” Sarena rolled her eyes at me.