The Friends We Keep

Because the only reason Brent would stay was because there was a child? Hayley wanted to say that wasn’t true, only she wondered if it was. The only reason Rob had moved back was because she’d been in the hospital.

According to Dr. Pearce, Rob hadn’t left her side for a second. When she got out of surgery, he’d been there. He’d slept in her room. He’d brought her home and had moved back. But only to the guest room, she thought sadly. Only to take care of her. He hadn’t been willing to talk about Switzerland with her before. Now that she couldn’t have children, he had returned.

She’d always assumed they would be one of those still-in-love old couples, shuffling around in their nineties. But what if they weren’t? What if what they had was broken? He’d put limits on their relationship. He’d walked out on her. Now he was back, but it was for the wrong reason.

She told herself not to think about it. That she couldn’t possibly handle anything but getting better. That it would all work out in the end. But she wasn’t sure about anything anymore.

“You’re not listening,” her sister complained.

“No, I’m not.” Hayley looked at her.

Even with no makeup and dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, Morgan looked good. Vibrant and sexy. She was a bitch on wheels, but for some reason, Brent adored her.

“Your husband is a really good guy,” she said flatly. “He loves you and the kids. He comes home on time, he does more than his share around the house, he is involved with the after-school stuff.”

Morgan sniffed. “You make all that sound like he’s gone above and beyond. We’re married. He’s supposed to do those things.”

“Yeah, and you’re supposed to treat him like the treasure he is, but you don’t. You treat him like crap and you know it.”

Her sister glared at her. “Are you on drugs? Why are you talking to me like this? What’s wrong with you?”

A question that would have been funny if it weren’t so sad, Hayley thought. When had her life become the stuff of tragedies?

“I’m tired,” she admitted. “And yes, still on drugs, which I guess means it’s okay to tell the truth. You’re a bitch. You’ve always been a bitch. You’ve been one your entire life, which is okay, but there are consequences for that. Brent deserves better than you, and you know it. So start acting like it. He’s supportive and giving and you’re never grateful. It’s never enough. Honest to God, I can’t figure out why he didn’t leave you years ago.”

Morgan stood and glared at her. “I’m going to forgive you, because you’re not yourself. But let me be clear. I will not forget.”

“We all know that, honey. You never do.”

“Hayley!”

The word came out as a screech. Hayley winced at the sound, then figured it had been worth it. While she was being honest, she was going to admit that telling Morgan exactly what she thought felt pretty good. She should have done it years ago.

“I knew you had this dark side,” her sister told her. “I knew it. You’ve hidden it behind your poor-me routine, but this is the real you. Selfish and mean. Do you know how much extra work I’m having to do because of you? All the prep work. All of it. You couldn’t leave well enough alone. You had to obsess about having a kid.”

Hayley looked at her sister. “I’m sorry my emergency surgery and nearly dying is causing a schedule upset in your day.”

“You are such a bitch!”

“That’s enough.”

They both turned and saw Rob standing in the doorway of the bedroom.

“Morgan, I told you Hayley was still recovering. If you can’t control your temper and visit like a normal person, then you need to leave.”

“What? It wasn’t me. You should hear what she said. She started it.”

“Do I look like I care?” He pushed up his glasses. “I didn’t think you coming over was a good idea and I was right. Get your things and leave. Don’t come back without checking with me first. Is that clear?”

Hayley had the strongest urge to stick out her tongue at her sister, but she didn’t. Morgan grabbed her purse and flounced out.

“I won’t be back for a long time,” she called over her shoulder. “You’re going to have to figure out how to survive without me.”

Hayley relaxed back against the pillows. If only that were true, she thought. But Morgan would be back, mostly because she didn’t have any other friends.

She glanced at the clock. It was nearly three in the afternoon. Time for her to get up and walk around the house. She had to keep moving on a regular basis so she wouldn’t develop a blood clot. She was also supposed to be eating right, drinking plenty of water and getting lots of rest. One out of three, she thought. That was something.

Rob returned to the bedroom. When he saw her getting out of bed, he hurried to her side to help her to her feet. Once she was balanced and nodded that she was okay, he stepped back.

“Better?” he asked.