“I think I’m really tired. I’ll see you in the morning,” I said, and started to turn away.
“You didn’t tell me much about Troy. It’s not fair,” she whined.
“There’s nothing much to tell you yet. We’re just getting to know each other.”
“So you’re still a virgin?”
I stared at her. She wanted her vision of me to be true; it still made her feel superior.
“No,” I said. “But that’s all I’m going to say.”
She laughed. “I knew it!” she cried as I started out. “Help! I’m sinking in a pink cloud.”
I left her laughter behind me and hurried to my room. When I closed the door, I realized how exhausted I was. The emotional tension for hours had drained me. However, before I went to sleep, I called Troy.
“I hope it’s not too late,” I said.
“No. I was waiting and hoping for your call. You first. How was it?”
“Actually, it went better than I thought. My mother is doing much better. From the way everyone behaved, you’d think nothing had happened. I don’t trust Haylee, of course, but I’m tired of it. She’ll be who she is, no matter what.”
“She didn’t seem sorry at all?”
“She did, but she’s mastered how to live with it now, how to rationalize and diminish it. I think she’s learned how to work us all, even her own psychiatrist, but Haylee was always a quick study when it came to manipulating people to do what she wanted, when she wanted.”
“You were hoping to see her in more pain?”
“I guess so, but I hate that I was.”
“What are you going to tell her doctor when you see her?”
“I’m not sure. I’m happy I have a little time to think about it.”
“You’ll make the right decision,” he said.
“What about your Thanksgiving?”
“What Thanksgiving? It was the same as any other dinner out. My father brought a guest, a young man he’s mentoring in the business. Most of the time, he talked with him. My mother was busy with some of her girlfriends who sat at tables near ours, so Jo and I were almost forgotten.”
He paused, and I waited.
“Before we went to bed, I told Jo she and I have to talk tomorrow. She knew why.”
“And?”
“She nodded, but she looked terrified. Maybe I’m not the one who should be talking to her. My mother won’t, but maybe Jo should see a therapist. She’s nowhere near as happy as other girls her age.”
“You’re probably right. What you should do is get her to agree to it first and then demand it.”
“That’s exactly my plan. Maybe you’re my twin, too.”
I laughed. “Believe me, Troy, one is enough.” I told him I would call him in the late afternoon tomorrow to let him know if he should come to see me. The answer to that was forming as I slept.
Once again, Mother was up earlier than any of us. I heard her moving about and listened for Haylee. She was rarely up ahead of me anytime. I tried to sleep longer, but anticipating my father arriving to take Haylee back and Mother’s reaction to it kept me from even closing my eyes. I knew how sad Mother would be, and I worried that it would set her back. I showered and dressed and went down for breakfast.
Irene was up with Mother, and they were at the kitchenette table having some coffee and toast and jelly.
“Is your sister up, too?” Mother asked immediately.