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“He wants you.”
“For now. He wants an easy lay.” She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth. Saying them hurt. Made her aware of their accuracy.
“You’re not easy,” Tammy said with force. “Mike does not appear shallow to me. Have some faith in yourself.”
“As gorgeous as Mike is, he could have any woman. What have I got to offer him?”
Tammy’s expression registered shock. Rage took its place. “I get it. It’s that sister of yours again. I should kick her ass from here to China.” Tammy raised her arms flexing her fists. She sucked air in and huffed it out. “Ooooh. It’s a wonder you survived your childhood. We’ve also had this discussion before. When are you going to believe in yourself? You give so much and expect so little. I’ve seen you tear into kids who bully others. I’ve heard the praise you give to all students whether they are pretty, plain or downright ugly.”
“I’m a teacher.” Cassie shrugged.
“Bull crap. If you two were raised in the same house, how come you turned into two very different people?”
“I’ve wondered the same thing myself. Maybe we were switched at the hospital.”
“You are not dense. What about Mike? Hasn’t he told you you’re pretty or beautiful? The man swallows his tongue when he looks at you. It’s pretty obvious how he feels. My God, Cassie, if you don’t believe the mirror and you won’t believe me, then believe Mike.”
***
Fatigue encumbered every muscle in Cassie’s body, making the burden on her shoulders more stressful. Her mother had been in pain for too long and the doctors finally performed the surgery they should have done months ago. No thanks to her sister. Jennifer had let their mother lie on the couch and suffer for weeks. After a phone call from one of Jennifer’s friends alerted Cassie that her mother had been crying, she went to her mom and took her to the doctor. Cassie was the one who hounded the doctors until they developed a treatment plan. And then surgery.
It had been a long two days. Mom came through the procedure fine—one less thing to worry about. Family joined them in the waiting room and Jennifer held court like always. Cassie couldn’t take any more of her sister’s eye rolling, so she’d slipped down to the cafeteria for a coffee.
Enclosed in the elevator, she inhaled the aroma of fresh caffeine, willing away some of the tension that swamped her after spending too much time in her sister’s company. When Cassie noticed the lift had not moved, it dawned on her that she’d never pushed the button. With a shake of her head, she quickly pressed the number to her mother’s floor, wondering how she’d managed to get to the cafeteria and pour her coffee without burning herself. This time, she had not been preoccupied with Mike.
Her sister would be waiting. Who knew what nonsense she’d spouted to their cousins after Cassie left the waiting room? Some days Jennifer was tolerable. Even friendly. Other days, Cassie wanted to choke her. At the age of twenty-nine, Cassie supposed she should be used to her sister’s degrading insults. They bounced off her quicker now than they had in the past. Still, the constant jibes wore her down. That’s why she avoided Jennifer as much as she could.
Jennifer was four years older. They’d been raised in the same house, taught the same rules, morals, and mannerisms, but they were as different in their beliefs as two people could be. Jennifer had married for money. Twice. She’d received a handsome settlement from her first husband, and if she wasn’t careful, she’d be repeating the divorce experience a second time.
Thirty minutes later, the family was allowed to see her mother. Groggy from the anesthesia, Mom fluttered her eyelids and then slipped back to unconsciousness. Another hour and she was moved to a private room. Once she was settled comfortably, the cousins said their goodbyes.
Cassie stared at the pale woman. Asleep she looked peaceful. Last night she’d been so scared. After Jennifer had left, Cassie talked with her mom, discussing the surgery and trying her best to alleviate her mother’s fears. She’d sat with her through the night, dozing when she could. Mom woke once, but after seeing Cassie, she’d calmed. They held hands, shared a prayer, and blessedly, she had no trouble going back to sleep. Watching her now, seeing her even breathing, Cassie hoped her mother felt no pain.
“They’re gone now. You don’t have to pretend anymore.”
Cassie glanced to her sister in confusion. “Pardon me?”
“Acting like you do so much for our mother.”
“What?” The word came out in a half-confused, half-disbelieving voice.
Not now.
“She’s going to need care. Don’t think you’re going to waltz off and leave me to do everything.”
Resentment flared like shooting flames after throwing gas on a smoldering fire. Cassie’s shoulders tensed and the hair stood on the back of her neck. Cassie had been the one to take their mother to the doctor. Cassie had spent hours at the hospital during x-rays and blood work and every test to prepare their mother for surgery. And now, Cassie was in no mood to put up with her sister’s bullshit.
“You’re going to do this now?” Cassie seethed. “While our mother lies unconscious in a hospital bed?”
“She’s asleep,” Jennifer said.
“I’m not doing this here.” Cassie sprang from her seat, madder than she’d been in a long time. “Come on.” How dare her sister start an argument only moments after their mother had left the recovery room?
“Where are you going?” Jennifer asked, following Cassie out into the corridor.
“Down the hall where we can talk.” Outrage fueled her steps. Livid, she kept her eyes straight ahead. At the end of the hallway, she saw a little alcove with three chairs and a small table. She threw her purse on a chair and spun around. “Why did you wait until now to do this?”
“I wasn’t about to have you put on a show in front of the rest of the family.”
