Empathy for Sara stirred up sharp, painful memories. How many times had Cali watched a physician treat her mother as if she was simply a means to a paycheck?
“She needs a second opinion,” Cali said. “I could give you my mother’s oncologist. He was really good.”
“I’d appreciate that,” Sara said.
Cali repeated Dr. Tien’s name and number. How sad was it that she knew the number by heart? “Let me know if you need anything—anything at all. And tell him I sent you.”
“Thank you.” Sara’s voice sounded a little tight.
Cali hung up and sank back in her chair. Her heart ached for Sara. You can’t win them all. Cali remembered her dream.
She bit down on her lip. “Please let me win this one.”
The door squeaked open, and Tanya popped in. “Let’s go.”
Pulling at her banana clip, Cali looked up. “Go where?”
“To lunch. Mrs. Jasmine is buying. I’m ordering steak.”
Cali squeezed the hair clip and let it pop closed. She inhaled, and a whiff of cigarette smoke filled her nose. A chill ran down her back. “I might just hang here.”
“Don’t go there. No arguing, girlfriend.” Tanya sashayed up to the desk and snatched Cali’s purse. “Now come on. We’re going to lunch and we’re going to have a good time.”
~
Brit took a bite of his burger and watched his sister. Then, frowning, he watched the man two tables away watch his sister. The jerk had been watching her since they walked in.
“Mom asked about you,” Susan said. “She said she left ten messages after she heard about Keith. You never called back.”
“I’ll see her tomorrow night.” While he added a fry to his mouth, Susan forked her salad. Normally Susan ate burgers and fries. Normally, he didn’t worry about his sister dating his partner. And normally, men didn’t stare at his sister. Brit looked at the man who had been ogling Susan since they walked in.
Susan flipped her long hair back. “Do you want me to pick her out a gift from you?”
Something was different about Susan. Brit edged back in the chair. What had he missed? “Yeah. I’ll pay you back.”
“You got any ideas what you’d like to get her?” Susan asked.
“You’re a woman. You pick.” Then he figured it out. And it was about her figure, too. She was less of a woman than before. He looked at the man again, who still gawked at his sister as if he were undressing her in his mind.
“How much do you want to spend?”
Frowning, he popped a fry into his mouth. “I don’t care.”
Susan dropped her fork. “Don’t care? Look, I know she wouldn’t win Mother-of-the—Year award, but—”
“Mother-of-the-Year? Right.” His laugh rolled out with sarcasm. They had both blamed their dad all those years. Then by the grace of God, the old man died. It wasn’t six months until Brit’s mom had a replacement. Just as mean. Maybe meaner.
Susan leaned in close. “She wasn’t perfect, but—”
“No buts. What is it, husband four now? Was it number three who put her in the hospital? Do you know I almost got fired for breaking that fucker’s nose?”
“It’s a sickness. And she’s seeing a therapist right now. And I actually like her new husband.”
“Maybe it’s a sickness. And by God, I hope she gets help. I pray this man treats her well, because I don’t enjoy beating up old men.” He clutched his fist. “I know she’s my mom, that’s why I’ll still beat the crap out of anyone who lays a hand on her. And barring disasters, I’ll be there tomorrow night. But don’t ask me to pretend like we’re this big happy family. Because you know who my family is? You. You’re my family.”
“I just wish—”
“Wishing doesn’t fix things. I gave up trying to fix Mom.”
Susan leaned in. “What about fixing yourself, Brit?”
“Don’t start.” Brit pushed his plate back.
“It’s just. . .” Her fork hit the plate, and she sent him one of those, I-love-you looks.
That look always got to him. “Eat.” He pushed his plate over to her. “And finish my burger. You’re too skinny.”
“I’m down forty pounds. I didn’t think you noticed.”
“I didn’t. Not until that man over there noticed, and kept noticing your ass when we walked in. Men aren’t supposed to notice my sister’s ass. And my partner isn’t supposed to be hitting on you either.”
His sister’s eyes lit up and she leaned in. “That man really looked at my ass?”
Brit laughed. The waitress brought over the check and he dropped a twenty on the table.
Susan crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not the only one who has changed. Our waitress has been eyeing you like a piece of candy she wants to unwrap.”
“Which one?” Brit pretended to scan the room.
“Brunette, big tits, tiny waist. Normally, you’d have had her phone number and bra size by now.”
Now, he glanced around in earnest. “Big tits?”
“And you didn’t even notice. Which makes me wonder if this too nice, too sweet Cali hasn’t worked some spell on you.”
“There’s no spell,” he said.