Ben
“Opal called me today.” My sister Bianca stands in her kitchen looking at me like she’s caught me with my hand in the cookie jar.
“Of course she did.” I grab a soda from her fridge and lean in to look at my nephew on the video baby monitor, fast asleep. “I can only imagine what she told you.” Once a week I pick one sister and have dinner at her house. Bianca is by far the best cook but also the pushiest. I’ll get something delicious served with a side of unsolicited advice.
“Who in the world was that woman you brought with you? I checked with the girls; none of them know her.” Bianca stirs the pasta sauce, fills a spoon, and offers it to me for a taste.
“More oregano.”
“That’ll be the only bite you get if you don’t start spilling the beans. You got kicked out. That’s not like you. Opal said the woman is really high strung.”
“It’s none of Opal’s business.” I know before Bianca replies. My response was too quick and firm. It gave me away.
“Where did you meet her?” Bianca stares me down. It’s a large kitchen, but suddenly it feels much smaller.
“We’ve known each other a little while. She’s the sister of that girl Penny I told you about. She’s a CFO of an international company. Very successful.”
“No, no, no,” Bianca replies, shaking her head vehemently. “You aren’t getting involved with a woman like that.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You make enough money on your own. You need a woman who—”
“Who I have nothing in common with?”
“Someone who will take care of you.” She adjusts the collar of my shirt the same way she would with her son.
I know she loves me. That’s what makes setting boundaries hard. “You are an incredible mother. I’ve seen you at soccer games. When Lee scores you light up. The game finishes and you’re there with orange slices and juice boxes. That boy runs into your arms, and I’m shocked you don’t burst with pride. You love staying home, and I respect that.” She blushes and waves me off, but I keep going. “Bridgette teaches like she’s holding the future of the world in her hands and maybe she is. She walks around humming those songs, and she celebrates when a kid in her class goes up a reading level. She doesn’t want to stay home with her children, and I also respect that.”
“I can’t see you with some cold-hearted businesswoman.”
“I can’t either. Does she have to be cold-hearted to be successful?”
“I’m not saying that.”
I put an arm around her shoulder. “You are, without even realizing it.” I make my way back to the pot of sauce on the stove and give it a stir. “I was blessed with four sisters. Four shining examples of how different women can be and somehow still be happy. Becky trains horses. You hate horses. You’re different, but equally wonderful.”
Bianca the lecturer does not like being lectured. She folds her arms across her chest. “I don’t know this Kylie, but do you really want a woman who will constantly put her career before you?”
“I want a partner—one I connect with—whatever that ends up looking like. But Kylie is so much more than her job. When she’s ready I’d love for you to meet her. Who knows, you might actually like her.”
“Opal didn’t.”
“Would you expect her to?” I grin and give her my best little brother puppy dog eyes. “Have a little faith in me. I’m not twelve.”
“Just tell me why. Give me a good reason why a woman like Kylie is a better match for you than anyone we’ve set you up with.”
“Because she challenges me. She’s smart. She’s funny—sometimes. I love her wit and now that I’ve started to get to know her, I want to know more. It’s really that simple.”
“I get that,” she huffs and rolls her eyes. “But I still think you’re wrong. You’d be so much happier with—”
“I appreciate your opinion, but it doesn’t change how I feel. So please don’t do that thing you do.”
“What thing?”
“When you have a four-way call with the others and gang up on me. Don’t make your plans. Don’t conspire. Sit this one out and trust me. Tell them to do the same. They’ll listen to you.”
“You really like this one?”
“I do.”
A cry sounds from the baby monitor. “Charlie will be back with Lee soon. Could you check on the baby?”
“Absolutely.”
“He’ll need a diaper change.”
“On it.”