Secrets of the Tulip Sisters

“I didn’t think you were seeing him. Isn’t he with—” Kelly stopped herself in time and sipped her wine. “I mean how nice if you two get back together.”

Olivia rolled her eyes. “You are the least subtle person I know. I have no idea if he’s with Autumn or not and I sort of don’t care. It’s so strange—he’s one of the reasons I came back this summer. I wanted closure with him. At first I was so hurt and pissed that he’d told me to come see him while he was dating someone else. But now I can’t seem to summon any interest in him. He’s just some guy I used to know.”

“So it’s over?”

“Yes.” Olivia looked surprised, then grinned. “It’s completely and totally over. How great is that?” She drank some wine. “I wonder if it’s like that for Mom. If Dad is her Ryan and she’s always wondered what would have happened.” Her humor faded. “Of course she had a great marriage and totally blew it all on her own. There’s a difference.”

Kelly hated thinking that her parents might rekindle the flame, so to speak. While she wanted her dad to find someone and be happy, Marilee was not that person.

“You really don’t know why she’s here?” Kelly asked.

“Not a clue. She and her previous boyfriend aren’t together, so that could be part of it. She might be hoping to get some money from Dad. Whatever’s motivating her can’t be good.”

The band took their place on the small stage. They were all in their twenties and thirties but Kelly knew from experience that age didn’t matter when it came to how bad a group could be. As far as she was concerned, guitars should come with warning labels and playing in public should require strict licensing.

“They look interesting,” Olivia said, turning so she could see the stage more clearly.

“Ah, the optimism of youth.”

“What are you—”

The band starting playing. It took Kelly a full minute to realize they were butchering OneRepublic’s “Counting Stars.” It was only when her dad and Helen joined in at the chorus that she could understand the words enough to pick out the tune.

When the song was over, there was a moment of stunned and grateful silence before everyone broke into applause. Olivia picked up her wine.

“I should have ordered something a lot stronger. How do you keep going to these?”

“They can be fun. Sometimes the bands aren’t awful. Plus Dad and Helen usually have a duet and that’s nice.”

Four painfully played songs later, the band put down their instruments as Jeff moved closer to Helen. Three notes later, Kelly smiled.

“Helen does love the piano man,” she told her sister as Helen and Jeff began to sing Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are.” She picked up her wine knowing she could relax for the next few minutes.

She glanced around the bar and saw most of the patrons looked equally relieved. Helen and Jeff were often the highlight of the showcases. She wondered if they’d ever thought of starting a band of their own. A good one that people wanted to listen to.

Olivia leaned toward her and laughed. “Okay, one worry we can let go.”

“What are you talking about?”

Olivia pointed to the stage. “Them. There’s no way Mom’s getting Dad back in her bed. Not when he’s so crazy about his girl. Why didn’t you tell me about them? I would have slept a lot easier knowing we were safe from a parental reunion.”

“What are you talking about?” Kelly asked, even as she looked at the couple performing.

Helen sat at the keyboard. Jeff stood close. Rather than look at the audience, they stared at each other. No. Not stared. There was a better word. Not gazed—it wasn’t intense enough, but she couldn’t think of anything that worked.

Helen finished her line and Jeff started singing his. Kelly had a feeling the rest of the room had disappeared and it was just the two of them. Although they weren’t touching, the connection was obvious, as was the yearning. They looked like two people who couldn’t wait to get back into bed together.

“I don’t understand.”

Kelly knew she’d spoken the words, but she had no memory of saying them. She couldn’t think, couldn’t make sense of any of it. Helen and her dad? It wasn’t possible. Helen was her best friend. Her dad was...

She flinched as an image formed in her brain. No way. Her best friend could not be sleeping with her father. It was wrong. It was gross. But the proof was difficult to ignore.

Her stomach protested roiling emotions. Her heart gave a cry at the betrayal.

“Kelly?”

She saw her sister watching her.

“Are you okay?”

Kelly shook her head, then grabbed her bag and walked out of the bar. When she reached the parking lot, she realized Olivia had driven, so she didn’t have her truck. Rather than go back inside, she started walking home. It was at least five miles but it wasn’t as if she had somewhere else to be.

They’d lied. They’d both lied to her. Her father was less of an issue—he’d never discussed his personal life. Kelly had assumed he had a girlfriend somewhere but if he didn’t want to talk about it, she was fine.

Helen was different. Helen was her friend. Her best friend. They did everything together. When Sven had broken up with her, Helen had been the first person she’d called. When Griffith had shown interest, she’d told Helen. She’d thought Helen would do the same with her. Was she wrong? Was it a one-sided friendship and she hadn’t realized? How on earth could Helen not have told her?

Kelly walked along the quiet road. She didn’t know how far she’d gone when a truck pulled up behind her. She turned and saw Griffith getting out.

“Olivia texted and told me you were in trouble,” he said as he approached. When he reached her, he put his hands on her shoulders. “Kelly, I’m the spectacular boyfriend, remember? When you need something, I’m your first call.”

She guessed he was trying to make her laugh, but in the last few minutes, she’d forgotten how. She could only stare at him and say, “Helen lied to me.”

He drew her close. She went into his arms only to find herself crying. She’d trusted Helen. She’d trusted her dad. What was happening to everyone around her? Or was she the problem?

It took a few minutes, but she managed to pull herself together. When Griffith handed her a handkerchief, she was able to summon a small chuckle.

“Is it the same one?”

“Probably.”

She wiped her face. “At this rate, you’re never going to believe me when I once again say I don’t really cry. It’s not my thing.”

He led her to the truck. “Come on. I’ll take you back to your place. You can pack a few things and spend the night with me.”

“Thanks.”

They pulled onto the road. Kelly stared out the passenger window.

“I don’t get it,” she said. “Why didn’t Helen tell me? Has our friendship been a lie?”

Griffith didn’t say anything. She glanced at him.

“You’re thinking something.”

“Maybe your reaction is the reason she didn’t tell you.”

His words, however true, stung. “I’m upset about the withholding of information more than anything.”

“Are you sure?”