Morning came all to quickly for Julie. She considered calling Nick but decided against it, she was too grumpy and would probably say something she shouldn’t. The long cool shower she took woke her up but did nothing for her mood and she didn’t really feel like doing anything but she wanted to see her sister and the kids so much that she would go; they would lift her spirits. She had packed a few things and headed out for the day. It would be a good change of scenery and maybe she could talk with her sister about Nick – that it if she even wanted to think about him. Julie laughed to herself, like she had a choice about thinking of him; it was just something she did, like breathing.
When she pulled into her sister’s driveway she heard the kids in the pool and when they heard her car door shut they started yelling their hellos, she loved them so much and their welcome instantly made her mood brighten. She went to the pool and they jumped out to give her a kiss and she greeted their friends too. They wanted “Auntie” to come play in the pool right away. The feeling of being wanted just as she was felt so good to her, she didn’t disappoint them the way she felt she disappointed Nick last night. She told the kids she’d join them in a bit after she’d relaxed with their mom for a while, and that she had brought a surprise for them, and no she wouldn’t tell them what it was yet.
Her sister was waiting on the porch for her and gave her a big hug and kiss. Julie held on a bit longer and tighter her sister noticed.
“What’s wrong Jules?” Sisters know. Julie just looked at her sister with the ‘what do you think is wrong’ face and Trisha knew. “Nick.” It was all that need to be said.
“Yea, but I don’t want to talk about it yet. There is time enough. Lets just have a chat and catch up. How are you and Joe? The place looks great, as usual.” Julie voice started to relax, she knew she had the whole day to not be judged, she could be whoever and whatever she wanted here, this was family. Something inside made her think that Nick was family too though.
“Joe’s fine and so am I. Come on let’s get something to drink and I want to show you something in the living room.” The two sisters went off chatting and laughing as always. They were the best of friends and had been since childhood. There was a special bond between them, one born from sadness but the bond wasn’t sad, it was love.
Joe, Trisha’s husband came into the kitchen and greeted his sister-in-law with a hug asking her how she was. Trisha just gave Joe a look and he let out a chuckle.
“Oh Nick troubles, I better get out of here now.” Joe was easy to get along with and Julie loved him but with that remark she just stuck her tongue out at him, he just laughed more. He gave his wife a kiss good bye and said he’d be back after his golf game. “Julie, are you staying for dinner? We’re just going to grill some chicken and steaks.”
“I don’t know yet Joe. Thanks, but I will be here when you get back, have fun and remember, swing easy and keep your damn head down.” Julie always kidded him about golf, because she could and because she and her sister had never lost to him and she didn’t want him to forget it.
“Someday Jules, ‘pow to the moon’, just like your sister!” And with that he was gone, leaving the sisters alone to gab.
