Secrets of the Tulip Sisters

A server came over. Krissie ordered cranberry juice with club soda, Eliza and Olivia each asked for a glass of white wine while Caitlyn got a vodka martini, straight up.

Krissie leaned forward. “Tell us everything about what you’ve been up to.” She grabbed Olivia’s left hand. “No ring, I see. Still having trouble getting your man?” She giggled. “Let’s see, Derek and I married a year after high school. You remember Derek, don’t you? He was one of the football captains. Just the most handsome guy. So masculine. He’s an EMT.” She wrinkled her nose. “That means he’s gone twenty-four hours at a time, which is hard with a little one and a baby on the way, but I manage. Caitlyn helps me.”

“We live close,” Caitlyn added. “Like sisters.”

Olivia was still stuck back on the comment about her being unable to get her man. Had Krissie really said that? Was she imagining the insult?

“My Justin and I bought the Burnett gas station a few years back,” Caitlyn continued. “It’s doing so incredibly well. Justin negotiated them down on the price and now we’re just swimming in money.” She smiled. “Do you have a job, Olivia?” She covered her mouth with her fingers. “Oops. Sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. Of course you’re doing something, aren’t you?” She looked at Krissie.

“Running the fund-raiser,” Krissie said brightly. “We’re all so excited. We’ve bought tickets.” She leaned close. “I hear it’s going to be fancy.”

“I think you’ll enjoy the meal,” Olivia murmured, not sure what she was supposed to think. Had these women been like this back in high school or was this show just for her? “The caterer has won awards. There are a lot of great auction items and it’s all for a good cause.”

“I sure hope you can make enough to pay for expenses. The town can’t afford to cover your mistakes.”

Olivia met her gaze. “I have it handled.”

Krissie cleared her throat. “Caitlyn, she’ll do fine. Oh, remember that time back in high school when we—” She paused. “Oh, wait. That was after you were sent away. We’re so sorry that happened. We missed you desperately. Have you seen Ryan since you’ve been back? You know he’s dating Autumn, right? She’s a sweet girl. Not the brightest bulb, but a lot of men aren’t that into women with brains. Are you seeing anyone?”

Olivia was saved from answering by the return of their server. Drinks were passed around and a toast offered.

“To old friends,” Krissie said with a smile. “They’re just the best.”

*

“I’m sorry,” Eliza said for the fourth time as they walked to the car. “I’m so sorry.”

“Stop apologizing.”

“It was my idea that we get together.” Eliza sounded miserable. “I was never that close to the two of them but I don’t remember them being like this before. So hateful.”

“I’m not surprised at the behavior, I just can’t figure out why it’s directed at me.”

Eliza stopped walking and stared at her. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No. They’re both married and have kids. Their husbands are successful. By nearly every standard, they have way more than me. You’d think they could afford to be generous. But I guess outgrowing the bitch gene isn’t easy.”

Eliza shook her head. “You really don’t get it, do you? They don’t have it all, Olivia. The only reason Justin married Caitlyn is because she got pregnant. He cheats on her all the time and they could only afford the gas station because of some unexpected inheritance. He’s not a great negotiator—the Burnetts felt sorry for them. As for Krissie, she once told me she always dreamed of moving away and having a glamorous career, only she wasn’t willing to even try to go to college, so she’s stuck here. Now she’s married with kids and she’s never going to be able to do any of the things she imagined. Her small life is getting smaller and she only has herself to blame.”

Information that almost made her feel sorry for them, Olivia thought. “Then why be pissed at me?”

“Look at you. You’re glamorous and successful. Whatever you’re doing here, you had a good job in Phoenix. You’ve lived all over the country, you’ve seen things. And you’ve been back in town all of five minutes and you’re practically running things. I understand they’re envious but they shouldn’t have been so mean.”

Olivia hugged her friend. “Thank you. You’re the best friend ever.”

“I’m not. A good friend would have punched one of them in the nose.”

“Can you reach that high?”

Eliza stepped back and laughed, then her humor faded. “I really am sorry.”

“Stop saying that. I don’t want to hear it again. Come on. Let’s go get takeout and head back to your place. I’d invite you over, but my mother is there and I like you too much to subject you to that.”

*

Kelly stood on Helen’s front porch, a bag from the drugstore in her hand. She knew her dad was at home—she’d left him there with Marilee not fifteen minutes before, so was reasonably confident that Helen was alone.

It had been too many days since they’d spoken. Too many days of her not knowing what to say. Helen was her best friend and with them not talking, she had a Helen-sized empty space in her chest and no idea how to fill it.

She knocked, then waited. A couple of seconds later, Helen opened the door. Her eyes widened in surprise. “Kelly, hi.”

“Hi, back.” She held up the bag. “Olivia has shamed me about the state of my nails. I’ve explained I farm for a living but then she pointed out I don’t actually dig in dirt, so there’s no excuse. I went and bought supplies and thought maybe we could do manicures together. I have no idea how, but I thought you might be able to teach me the basics.”

Helen hesitated only a second. “Sure. Come on in.”

They walked into the kitchen and sat at the table. Kelly unloaded the items she’d purchased. She’d bought manicure scissors and nippers, a package of files, an orange stick which wasn’t close to orange, three different colors of nail polish, a base coat, a top coat and pads that were supposed to take it all off.

“You weren’t kidding,” Helen said. “Did you watch any YouTube videos?”

“A couple. They were pretty basic. I’m not looking to create nail art. Just, you know, get Olivia off my back.”

“It’s hard to compete with a beautiful sister.”

“Tell me about it. I swear, she wakes up with great hair. It’s not right.”

They smiled at each other, then their smiles faded. They both looked away.

Kelly reached for the package of nail files, then dropped it back on the table. “I don’t know what to say. Or think. I’m confused about everything that’s happened.”

“Me, too,” Helen admitted. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Jeff. In my heart of hearts, I didn’t know how.”

“I get that. He’s my dad and older and it’s weird. Are you really in love with him?”

Helen nodded. “He doesn’t know. Right now things are fairly casual.”

Kelly opened her mouth, then closed it. She sighed. “So this is what makes it hard. Normally I would ask what that means. I would want details. But I don’t want to know more. Can you understand that?”