“You look fantastic, by the way.”
Cathy was surprised by the compliment. She hadn’t put much thought into her appearance for years. At least, she amended privately, she hadn’t until she had started going out with Michael. It was kind of nice that someone else had noticed. “Thanks. I’ve been making more of an effort recently.”
They retrieved the luggage and walked out of the terminal to the parking lot, catching a shuttle to where Cathy had parked her car. When they emerged from the shuttle, a wall of summer heat hit them. Sweat beaded between Cathy’s breasts. “I’m parked over here.”
Cathy unlocked the trunk of her faded old car. She tried not to notice that Pam was eyeing the car. “We can put your luggage here in the back.” They stowed away the luggage, and Cathy unlocked the car. The inside of the car was like an oven. After she started the ignition, she flipped the air-conditioning on high. The system whined loudly as she drove away from the airport. She was acutely aware that her sister was watching where they were going. She braced herself for the inevitable questions when she finally turned onto her street. However, Pam didn’t say a word. She just looked intently through the window as they drove through the rundown area.
When they got to the apartment, they carried the two cases inside and dropped the luggage on the threadbare living room carpet. In the months that she had lived in the apartment, Cathy had stopped seeing it. Now, looking at her surroundings through fresh eyes, at what her sister must be seeing, Cathy saw the sagging sofa, the cheap chipped table and lamp, the tired-looking armchair. She waited while her sister took slow stock. The dreary apartment was quite a comedown from the beautiful home she had once owned.
Pam took a deep breath before she turned. Her eyes were troubled. “Cathy, what is going on? You told me you had to sell the house. But I didn’t expect that clunker you’re driving and—and this.” She swept a hand in a comprehensive wave.
Cathy sighed tiredly. She had known that her sister would not be able to keep from commenting. Actually, she was surprised that Pam had kept silent so long. “No, I don’t suppose you did. It wasn’t just the house and the sedan, Pam. I had to sell…everything.” Better than anyone else, Pam would have a fair idea of what she was talking about. Her sister had been with her on many occasions when she had bought at auction come of the antiques she loved.
As comprehension swept over Pam’s face, her expression registered shock. “Cathy, you should have said something!”
“I didn’t want you to worry too much.” Cathy tried for a smile, but she saw that her faltering attempt was not doing much to ease her sister’s distress.
Pam’s eyes flashed, her voice rose. “We could have helped you!”
Cathy pushed back her tumbled hair with a shaking hand. “You did help me, more than once. I couldn’t keep going to you and John!”
After a short tense silence, Pam asked more quietly, “How are you managing?”
Cathy gave a laugh. “I still have a roof over my head, if that’s what you mean. And the car has its good days and bad days, but so far it’s still getting me where I need to go.”
Pam shook her head. “No, that’s not what I mean. How are you, Cathy?”