TWENTY-EIGHT
The next few days were a blur. Mellie didn’t remember much. It was like she was standing still as life passed her by. On Thursday, she was clocking out a few minutes early, not wanting to rehash the big breakup with Claire, when Cal showed up.
“Hey, sis, how are you holding up?”
She was too tired to fight. “Awful. I’ve made such a mess of everything.”
To her shock, he hugged her. Her big brother was not a hugger.
“Nothing that can’t be fixed.” He leaned down and picked up her tote. “Best to get it over with. Everyone’s waiting.”
Her shoulders slumped as Mellie dragged her feet out to the car. The drive to her parents’ seemed much shorter than normal, then again, when she wanted it to take forever, time always sped up. Thanks, fate.
“We’re back,” Cal called out.
None of the kids came running, and no dogs barked.
“Where is everyone?”
He stayed behind her, most likely to make sure she didn’t make a run for it.
“The kids and the dogs are next door. Evening swim before they close the pool for the season.”
Dressed in shorts and a golf shirt, Cal looked ready for the weekend, though for the first time, Mellie noticed the gray in his dark hair. He was getting older—they all were. It was time for her to put on her big-girl panties and grow up.
Her mom hugged her tight. “I’ve missed you. Now sit down and have some tea and let’s hear the tale.”
“No judgment,” Heath said.
When Mellie arched her brows, her brother put a hand over his heart. “Promise.”
Neither of her brothers’ wives said anything other than hello, but they weren’t going anywhere. Looked like she’d have a full house.
“…So that’s why I made up a fake boyfriend. It was funny the first ten times hearing, ‘Poor single Mellie.’ But after that, year after year? It hurts. Dating is hard.” She met their eyes, one by one. “You all are so fortunate. You found each other.”
Mellie looked at her parents. “I want a relationship like the two of you have, and it’s really hard to find. Talk about setting the bar high.”
“I’m sorry,” Karen said. “It’s fun to hear about the men you date. I’ve forgotten how much the breakup hurts.”
Sue apologized as well. Heath cleared his throat.
“But sis, you should have told us about Connor spending time in Mint Hill. The guy could be dangerous.”
“Or unstable. And not to be mean, but you do have a history of poor choices,” Cal added.
A door slammed and Aunt Jilly walked in. She walked straight over to Mellie and hugged her.
“At least her young man was able to get the help he needed. It doesn’t mean he’s damaged. Just because someone has a mental illness or a problem, don’t cut them out of your life and pretend they don’t exist.” She glared at everyone. “Or whisper behind their backs every year.”
There was silence until Mellie’s mom patted the sofa next to her. “Looks like we all have a lot to talk about today. Come and sit, Jilly. Can we talk after Mellie finishes what she has to say?”
Her aunt smiled, the first smile Mellie had seen from her in a long time. “Of course, sis.”
Mellie took a deep breath. “Connor isn’t mentally ill. He lost part of his memory in the accident at the museum.”
She took a sip of her tea. “But I should have told you guys the truth. I messed up. Then he saw Greg kiss me and he dumped me.”
“You and Greg are back together?” her mother asked.
Before everyone got too excited, Mellie held up her hands. “No. I thought I wanted him back, but I don’t. It’s over.”
They talked, caught up on each other’s lives. Jilly told them about her time at a place like Mint Hill and how she’d rebuilt her life. Emotionally drained, they took a break to eat dinner.
During dessert, her dad cleared his throat.
“There’s one more item we need to discuss.” He looked at her mom, and Mellie knew what was coming. With all the man drama, she’d forgotten about school.
“I ignored your refusal to work at the company and had HR take a look at you. Only it seems we can’t use you in the accounting department—”
“Because I don’t have an accounting degree. I have an art degree,” Mellie finished. “I found out I hated numbers, so I took a few art classes and loved them. But I knew how you all talked about Aunt Jilly’s paintings, and I didn’t want you all to say the same about my work, so I kept it a secret.”
She finished her slice of apple pie and took a deep breath. “I wanted to make it as a professional artist and then tell all of you so you’d be proud of me. But I know I might not ever make a living from my art.”
Before they could interrupt, she held up a hand.
“I’m okay with that. For now. I love working at the museum, and I’m going to take my work to a gallery, get their opinion. In another year or so, if nothing pans out, I’ll find a job that pays more.”
“Okay, honey,” her dad said. “We just want you to be happy.”
“Do we need to hunt Connor down and beat him up for dumping you, sis?” Heath looked eager, and she laughed, the first time in days.
“Not at the moment, but I’ll keep the offer in mind.”