CHAPTER 7

Julie

Since I’d moved to Ennis, my parents had barely spoken to me. They weren’t angry about my decision, but they didn’t support it. To them, I’d given up everything I worked for while in college and the years after. I’d built my reputation as a successful reporter, only to leave Dallas for a know-nothing town. They weren’t happy, and as I drove toward their house on Saturday morning, my chest was filled with anxiety.

Deep down, I knew they’d behave. My sister Bethany was in town with her husband and their daughter. My niece, Layla, was only two and a half. She was the cutest little girl I’d ever seen, and I loved her more than anything. My parents felt the same way, so I hoped her presence would keep them in bright spirits for the duration of my visit.

Still, as I pulled into the driveway, my heart raced. I took a deep breath and checked my hair in my mirror. I looked fine, but I knew that wouldn’t stop my mother from finding something to comment on. She worried about my health more than anything. I was either too skinny: “Are you eating enough?” Or I was too fat: “Honey, did you get that new workout I sent you? It’s supposed to help tighten your core.”

She always meant well and, yet, I found myself dreading the visit as I pushed open my car door. Glancing at the house next door, I wondered if Andrea would be home for the holidays. Her parents still lived beside mine. I made a mental note to stop by and see them on my way out later that night.

I stepped up to the front door and shook myself. It was insane that I felt so nervous. My parents would be fine. My sister would be amazing, as always. My brother-in-law would keep everyone laughing, and Layla would make sure the conversation never got too serious.

I told myself everything would be okay as I grabbed the door handle and turned it slowly.

“You’re here!” a shrill voice chimed from the living room. I lifted my eyes to see Bethany running toward me with her arms outstretched. I grinned and met her halfway.

“Hey, sis,” I said as she caught me in a bone-crushing hug.

“Ugh! I missed you so much!” She giggled and held me tighter, smoothing my hair down as she did so.

Bethany and I were almost ten years apart in age. My parents had tried for years to have another baby, but after being disappointed enough times, they gave up. A month before Bethany’s tenth birthday, I appeared on the scene.

“There she is!” My dad’s voice rang out from behind Bethany.

I pulled away from my sister and hurried over to hug my dad. He gripped me tightly and then ushered me farther inside.

“Julie!” Bryan said when he saw me. He gave me a quick, one-armed hug and ruffled my hair. “How you been, kid?”

“Not a kid anymore, Bry,” I said with a roll of my eyes.

“You always will be to me,” he replied.

Bethany and Bryan had started dating when they were sixteen. I was in kindergarten at the time. Bryan had been around ever since. He was just as much my big brother as Bethany was my sister.

“How’s work?” Bryan asked. “Any new scoops for me?”

“Not yet,” I said. “I have a Skype interview on Monday morning with this new online journal. Keep your fingers crossed for me.”

“You’ll get it,” my dad said brightly.

“I hope so.” My stomach twitched again. The last thing I wanted to do was focus on work right now.

“You will,” Bethany said confidently. “You’re the ultimate success story. You’ve never failed at anything in your life.”

I rolled my eyes but didn’t say anything. Bethany, more than anyone, knew that wasn’t true. Still, it was nice of her to say so.

“Don’t get her hopes up,” my mother said from the kitchen. I jerked my head up to see her watching me with reproachful eyes. “If she doesn’t get it, she’ll only be more disappointed.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I said without thinking.

“I’m just being realistic, honey,” Mom said. “Someone has to be.”

I nodded and looked down at my shoes. I’d only been in the house five minutes, and already, my mom was on my case.

“Anyway,” Bethany said loudly. “How’s Ennis? I need to get down there and see your new house!”

“You do,” I said, grateful for the subject change. “But before we talk about that, where’s my niece?”

“She’s napping,” Bryan said. “She should be up soon, though.”

“Ugh, can’t we wake her?” I begged.

“Only if you want to deal with the tantrum that will ensue,” Bethany said with a laugh.

“I’d rather not,” I said, laughing along with her. Bryan and Dad joined in easily, but Mom barely cracked a smile.

“Can I help with anything?” Bethany asked. She hurried into the kitchen, but Mom shooed her away quickly.

“Go entertain your sister,” Mom said. “Your dad can help me.”

“I suppose I can,” Dad said. He squeezed my shoulder as he passed by.

Bethany raised her eyebrows at me and linked her arm with mine. Without a word, she led me outside to the backyard. Bryan followed close behind.

We stepped into the backyard and, immediately, my entire body sank. I sighed deeply and practically collapsed onto a patio chair.

“What the hell was that about?” Bethany demanded, pulling up a chair beside me. Bryan followed suit.

“Mom’s still pissed about my move to Ennis,” I said. “She thinks it was a mistake.”

“Well,” Bethany said. “Screw her. You have to do what’s best for you, right?”

I met my sister’s eyes. Her expression was a little too understanding. She knew all about my breakup with Joshua. Other than Andrea, Beth was my biggest advocate when it came to leaving Dallas. She knew just how much the breakup had torn me apart.

Still, Joshua was the last person I wanted to talk about. I quickly changed the subject, asking questions about Layla until her sweet cry rang through the baby monitor.

“She’s up!” Bryan announced, unnecessarily.

He and Bethany both jumped to their feet, but I was faster. I shook my head and gestured for them to sit back down.

“Let me,” I said. Bethany smiled gratefully as I hurried inside.

I passed my parents quickly, not saying a word until I reached the back bedroom where Layla’s crib was set up. The lights were dim when I walked in, but I could still see her little face smiling at me from behind the crib bars.

“Hey, you,” I said, brightly. I scooped Layla out of the crib and hugged her.

“Aunt Juwee,” she said. Her hands went to my face. The smile that spread across her tiny toddler face melted my heart.

This was exactly what I needed. I hugged her tightly again and rocked her back and forth. She was adjusting to being awake, and I wasn’t yet ready to return to the lion’s den. It wasn’t until I heard Bethany and Bryan come back inside that I knew it was time to rejoin the crowd.

“Mommy!” Layla said when she saw Bethany.

She wiggled to get out of my arms. I set her on her feet and watched her sprint across the room to where Bethany stood. My sister bent down to grab her daughter, a radiant smile on her face. In all my life, I’d never seen anything suit Bethany better than being a mother. She was amazing with Layla. I envied her so much.

The rest of the day passed by easily. With Layla awake, everyone stayed distracted. My mother even forgot to comment on my appearance. By the time I left that night, she was in such high spirits that she actually wished me luck on my interview.

“I’m sure you’ll do great,” Mom said with a smile.

“Thanks, Mom.”

I was surprised, but I’d take it. We all hugged goodbye, and I hurried over to Andrea’s parents’ house for a few minutes. It was late, so I didn’t stay long. We caught up, and they made me promise to visit again soon.

By nine o’clock that night, I was on the road back to Ennis. I’d been driving for about ten minutes when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced down to see a text from Michael.

Grinning, I stepped on the gas. Suddenly, I couldn’t wait to get back home.