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We eat donuts and talk about Jaxon, and about Lila’s plans for the future until she has to leave to get to a meeting with friends. I head back home, fingers and toes crossed that I’ll find my sisters there and that they haven’t seen that video.
The driveway is full of cars, the house brightly lit, and my chest lightens with hope. I can hear the music as I step onto the porch, some pop music I don’t recognize.
It sounds like they’re having a party, and I’m home just in time to join. Inside, however, my sisters aren’t all sitting together in the living room or arguing good-naturedly as they cook dinner. The place seems empty, a shell of a home with music and bright lights, like the party has already ended and I, as usual, am just there to clean up the leftover mess.
Dani comes skidding into the kitchen, her pet skunk, Skidmark, in her arms, Grant laughing and racing behind her, both of them with packs on their backs. “Hey, Honey,” Dani says. “Are you going to be home tonight?”
No hello. No how are you? “I’m not sure.” I might go back to Jaxon’s if they aren’t staying, and it doesn’t look like they are. “Why?”
“Grant and I are heading out for a camping trip and won’t be back for a few days. We’ll take Skidmark, unless you’re going to be around to watch out for him and feed him.”
“What about the farm?” Why didn’t she tell me she was planning to be unavailable for a few days?
“I have the college kids scheduled to come by. And Daisy and Noah said they’ll help out. You probably won’t even notice I’m gone.” She frowns, looking genuinely worried for the first time. Like I’m an afterthought. A useful part of the scenery who’s here every day anyway. “Do you have other plans?”
Behind her, Grant makes a noise and I can only imagine what he’s thinking. Dani’s here every day taking care of the farm and I’m her full partner. She ought to be able to get away. Not to mention I wasn’t here this morning. I was in Jaxon’s bed and didn’t waste a moment worrying about Dani stuck here with all the farm work on her own.
Is that what my sisters have felt with their boyfriends and husbands? Have they been so caught up and in love that I’ve never crossed their minds?
I should stand up for myself and insist she give me advance warning when she’s going to be away, but I don’t want to drive any kind of wedge between us. “Of course.” I reach for Skidmark and take him into my arms. “I’ll be here. You two have fun.”
Dani beams. “Thanks, Honey. You should take a vacation when I get back. It’s not good to be stuck in this house all the time.”
She and Grant hurry out and away while I pet Skidmark. Figuring maybe the rest of my family is in the back den watching a movie, I head that way only to be nearly run over by Clover and Asher, who are rolling suitcases behind them.
“Hey, Honey,” Clover says. “Asher’s cousin is getting married in Charlottesville, so we’re going to spend a long weekend there. We’ll be back on Monday.”
“What about the gym?” Surely, it’s busiest on the weekend.
“With the university out for the summer, we’ve got plenty of help,” Clover says. “The gym’ll run just fine without us for a couple of days.” But she looks worried.
Asher pats her shoulder. “It’ll be great, babe. I told Hilary to call if there are any problems.”
They leave me, speaking about the gym in whispered voices, neither of them asking how I am or if I’ve got anything going on this weekend. It’s like I’m just another piece of furniture in the house.
I find Daisy and Noah in the Den, a movie playing while they make out, oblivious to my presence.
I’m halfway up the stairs to my room when Goldy stops at the top of the staircase and smiles down at me. “Honey, I’m glad you’re here.”
My heart leaps. “You are?”
“Yes. I’m going to North Carolina for the weekend with Henry and Max. We’re going to a train museum, since Max is so into trains right now. Do you think you could water my plants while I’m gone?”
I’m such an idiot for ever thinking this plan to bring my family together again would work. “Sure. Of course.”
She steps to the side and lets me up, giving me a quick hug as she goes by. “Thanks. We’ll have another band practice when I get back, okay?”
“Uh-huh.” I’m already planning to cancel the gig. All my sisters promised to practice, but something always came up that was more important than the band.
I’m like my father: forcing something no one else wants. “Have fun with Henry and Max.”
She waves and hurries back into her room, probably to pack.
I pet Skidmark’s soft head. “Guess it’s just you and me, friend.”
Skidmark snuggles against my chest and makes a sound that’s an awful lot like a purr. At least someone loves me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
