Page 97 of This Broken Heart
I can feel Josh stiffen at my side, but he smiles and thanks the woman. Trace pulls on my hand. He’s spotted the moving walkways and is desperate to try them.
I glance back at Josh. He gives me a conspiratorial smile, but it only goes skin deep. I can see something else in his eyes. It looks a little like guilt. Or pain.
Funny how one innocuous comment, intended as a compliment, can cut so deep.
64.
Josh
Mom and dad’s new condo is right on the beach. There’s a general commotion when we arrive. Charlie and Parker immediately scoop up the kids to take them out to look at the waves. Mom grabs Erin’s arm and leads her through the house. The floors are tiled throughout and the walls are a soft blue. Mom stops in the guest room, going on at length about the closets. I lean down, murmuring in Erin’s ear. “So many mermaids.”
She tries to hide her smile. “I think they’re watching us.”
We both glance over at the topless wooden mermaid hanging over the bed. I think the house came furnished, that or mom has a secret affinity for merfolk.
We finish the tour on the patio. A short band of scrubby grass separates us from boundless white sand. The ocean looks incredibly blue from here. “That view is worth a million bucks, mom.”
She breathes the salty air into her lungs and lets it out. “I just feel free out here, you know?”
I study her profile, wondering how many of their life choices were dictated by dad and the farm. She certainly does seem more at ease now.
Trace hollers at Erin, and she crosses the sand to hold his hand.
“I’m so glad she agreed to come.” Mom says, watching Trace drag Erin towards the water.
“Why is she here?” Charlie asks. Having been replaced by Erin, she’s returned to us in all her sulky young adult glory.
“She’s the kids’ nanny.” I say, feeling my ears heat. “I couldn’t have navigated the airports without her.”
“You’re helpless now?” Charlie asks.
“Don’t be a bitch.” Reese says, coming from one of the back rooms. “Look at how much those kids love her.”
Mom’s watching the exchange with a worried look on her face.
Charlie tips her chin up. “This is supposed to be a family trip.”
“I wanted her here.” Mom says, piping up. “I told Josh to bring her.”
This is how these arguments usually go. The girls are usually moving at warp speed, while I’m still working on decoding something they said minutes ago. As Erin and Trace return from the beach, the conversation abruptly dries up.
She glances at all the faces. I can see her absorbing the vibe. My sisters aren’t as sly as they think they are. Their poker faces suck.
I slip past them, rolling my eyes so that only Erin can see. I nudge her, grabbing Trace’s hand. “Come on, bud. Let’s see who can find more shells, Erin or dad.”
I love my sisters, but they are constantly fighting. It’s always something with them. I can usually avoid the fray, but lately, it seems like dear little Charlie has set her sights on me and my family. She’s like a vampire, sucking the joy right out of perfectly good moments.
It wasn’t exactly a warm welcome for Erin and since she’s the odd man out, I feel like it’s our obligation to make sure she’s comfortable. I stick with her for the rest of the day, in part, to make sure she’s having a good time. But also because she’s more fun than my bickering family.
Once the kids are finally tucked in bed and sleeping, I find her sitting at the counter, chatting with my mom.
“Where are the girls?” I ask, leaning on the counter next to Erin.
“Charlie and Parker are in their room watching TV and I think Reese is already asleep.”
Reese always was the first to go to bed. I glance down at Erin. “How about you?”
Her lips pull into a half grin. “What about me?”