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“What’s going on?”.
I shake my head. “I’m fine, Mel. Seriously, let’s go back inside,” I tell her.
She doesn’t look convinced, but she nods. I push myself off the wall and we’re just about to head in when Christine appears.
For the love of God.
She stops in her tracks before exhaling and walking toward us. She stands in front of my aunt, who has crossed her arms over her chest. I already know there’s a frown on her face.
“Hey, Aunt Mel,” Christine says, giving her a tentative smile.
“Sam wants to see you,” is all my aunt says before turning around and walking back into the room.
For some inexplicable reason, my aunt doesn’t like Christine. It started when she and Matt started dating. When they were just friends, she had no problem with her, but as soon as Matt and Christine got together, Mel started having problems with her. We all thought it was because she didn’t approve of their relationship, but we’ve never really understood why.
For a fraction of a second, I feel bad at the distraught look on her face. Then she looks up at me.
“She already hates me now; what’s she going to do when she finds out about my son?” she asks.
It all comes back to me and I glare at her before turning and heading back inside without another word.
Her son. She has a fucking son!
I hear her footsteps behind me and realize she’s following me. I want to tell her to fuck off, but my mom and brother know she’s here. They’re going to want to see her.
Her parents are already with my mom, as well. The smile on her face as she notices our approach actually causes me pain. I move away so my mom can hug her.
“Hey, Sam,” Christine says with a small smile.
“Hey, gorgeous. I missed you so much,” my mom says, hugging her tightly.
Growing up, my mom had four kids instead of two. Myself, Matt, Tia, and Christine. Tia wasn’t as close to the family as Christine was, but she did spend a lot of time at our place. Even now, she’s content to hang back and watch.
“I missed you, too.”
“Then why did you leave like that? You didn’t visit, you didn’t call. I know you’re a big-shot lawyer now but I can’t believe you cut off all contact with us like that. I asked your parents several times for your address, but they never gave it to me. They always had excuses.”
“I’m sorry, Sam. I’ll explain it all soon, I promise.”
Those words feel like a death sentence.
I’ll be the first to admit that I thought it was weird that Christine hasn’t come home to Arcola for any holidays in more than six years. But I thought she had moved on and wanted to forget her past. I knew she was okay. We always saw her parents, and they assured us she was fine. Still, I did find it odd that she didn’t come home.
We all fall silent when Matthew approaches the group. He’s been mingling with the guests and I had been hoping he would stay away, but no such luck. He comes closer with his wife in tow, until they’re both standing in front of Christine.
I wonder if Matt told Cora about her. I’d like to think so. They were best friends long before they dated. Matthew is also the person that was most hurt by Christine’s disappearance.
“Hey, Matt,” Christine says to him with an uneasy smile. “Congratulations on getting married.”
I watch carefully for my brother’s reaction. I think we’re all waiting with bated breath. A part of me is worried he’ll mess up in front of Cora. Matt’s not known for thinking clearly around Christine, even though I know he’s crazy about his wife.
“Really? That’s all you have to say to me?” Matt asks with an arched eyebrow.
Beside me, Cora has a small smile on her face, which eases my worry a little.
Christine takes a deep breath.
“Okay, fine. Listen, ’cause I’m only going to say this once. I’m sorry for disappearing on you. It was terrible of me. Please forgive me?” she asks sweetly.
