Secrets of the Tulip Sisters

Or they could rub hot pokers all over their bodies and jump into bubbling tar. Kelly did her best to smile normally. “I’m not kidding, Mom. I have to work.”

“You grow tulips. They do it all themselves. It’s not like you have to be there to encourage them.”

“Thanks for dismissing my work so completely.”

“I’m sorry, but the truth is a monkey could do what you do, Kelly. And not a very bright one.”

The slap shouldn’t have stung and yet it did. Kelly put down her coffee. “Thanks for making it easier to say I’m not spending the day with you, Marilee.”

She turned to leave. Her mother hurried after her.

“Wait. I’m sorry. That came out wrong. If you won’t do the day, at least have lunch with me. I really want to spend time with you. I mean it.”

“Why?”

“You’re my daughter. My firstborn. We have a special bond. Please?”

It was all crap and she was being manipulated for reasons she couldn’t understand. At the same time she found it more difficult than she’d thought to say no. In fact, what came out of her mouth instead was, “Fine. Lunch. But not at the café.”

She might not be speaking to Helen at this moment, but there was no way she was going to force her friend to serve Marilee lunch.

They settled on a time and place. Before Kelly started her truck, she texted her sister about the lunch date and asked that she be there, as well. Marilee was better in small doses and having a third person there would lighten the load.

*

“Is this really the nicest we could do?” Marilee asked as they settled in a booth at Tulip Burger. “Is that a bowling alley across the street? How do you stand it here?”

Kelly looked across at her sister. Olivia offered a sympathetic smile. Oh, yeah, this was going to be a stellar lunch.

“They have the best burgers this side of the Cascades,” Olivia said.

“As if that’s something to brag about. Still...” Marilee smiled. “I’m with my two favorite girls.” She picked up the menu, then put it down. “I wish your father had joined us.”

Kelly held in a groan.

“Have you heard from Roger lately?” Olivia asked. “He was so nice.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Marilee’s tone was icy. “Roger and I barely dated.” She turned to Kelly. “Men can sometimes be a problem. You smile at them and they get the wrong impression.”

“You and Roger were practically living together,” Olivia said, then grinned at Kelly. “Mom was supposed to spend the summer with him at his place in Colorado.” She looked back at Marilee. “What happened? I thought you said he was ready to propose.” She lowered her voice. “Was it ED?”

Kelly struggled to keep from bursting into hysterical laughter. She’d been wary about having her sister back but she had to admit Olivia was great to have around. She was smart and funny and when she got on a roll, you needed to stay out of the way.

“It wasn’t anything to do with that,” Marilee said, her voice low and sharp. “He was no one. It’s over. I’ve moved on.”

“Dad has, too.” Kelly smiled. “It’s great that both of you have full lives without each other. I always think it’s kind of pathetic when one person can’t let go.”

“Oh, me, too.” Olivia’s expression was innocent. “Don’t you feel sorry for them? There’s nothing sadder than living in the past. Mom would never do that, would you, Mom?”

“I think we all know I could have any man I want.”

“Except Roger,” Olivia muttered.

Kelly covered her laugh with a cough. Marilee glared at each of them in turn. When their server came over to take their order, Kelly had the thought that lunch with her mother wasn’t going to be so horrible, after all, and it was all thanks to Olivia.

*

Olivia’s good mood lasted all afternoon. Lunch with her mom and Kelly had turned out much better than she’d expected. For the first time since she’d come home, she felt that she and Kelly were a team.

Eliza had texted about getting together with a couple of women they’d both known in high school. Olivia’s first instinct had been to refuse the invitation. Back in high school, neither of the women had been someone she could trust, despite the fact that they’d hung out together. They’d been more frenemy than friendly and she’d heard they’d both dated Ryan within seconds of her leaving town.

Then she’d reminded herself that over a decade had passed, that she was looking to make a fresh start and girlfriends were a part of that. So she’d texted back happy emojis with her acceptance and had spent the afternoon figuring out what to wear to a casual happy hour reunion.

She’d settled on cropped pants and a tank top in bright orange with a crocheted loose off-the-shoulder sweater on top. Her makeup was light but pretty, her jewelry simple. She looked casually sophisticated. She’d passed on heels, thinking flats would make a quick getaway easier, if it came to that.

Krissie and Caitlyn had both been popular back in high school. They’d ruled the sophomore class like the queen bees they were. Not that Olivia could complain—she’d been right in the middle of mean-girl land with them.

She saw the three women sitting at a table. Actually she saw Eliza in her new haircut and barely registered the other two. Eliza rushed over to hug her.

“Do you love it?” her friend asked, her voice full of enthusiasm. “I wasn’t sure. My hair’s been long my whole life, but I love it so much. It’s easier and faster after my shower and I’ve been getting so many compliments.” She swung her head back and forth so her short, sassy bob moved. “Thank you for suggesting the style.”

“You look amazing. You were cute before and now you’re gorgeous.”

Eliza flushed. “You’re so nice to me. Thank you for that.” She glanced back at the table. “Um, Krissie and Caitlyn are really excited to see you. Be careful.”

There was no time to ask what Eliza meant before they were at the table and there were squeals and hugs all around.

“How are you?” Caitlyn asked enthusiastically. “Oh, my God! I can’t believe you’re back.”

“Here I am.” Olivia tried not to show her surprise at the changes in Caitlyn. The woman was still blonde but at least forty pounds heavier. Krissie’s big change was her obvious pregnancy. Olivia smiled at her. “Congratulations.”

“Oh, thanks. This is my second.” She rested her hand on her belly. “I swear, Derek has so much testosterone in his system, he only has to look at me and I get pregnant.”

“I have two kids, too,” Caitlyn added, as they all sat down. “Olivia Murphy. I can’t believe you’re really here.”