Heart of the Matter by KI Thompson Page B

days and she hadn’t even looked for a gift. She was responsible for the dessert as well, so she’d better stop at Marvelous Market after work tomorrow. She picked up her fork and stabbed a slice of cucumber. To hell with Kate. She needed to focus on Sandra and on looking good for their date. If it meant eating nothing but rabbit food from now on, so be it.

CHAPTER SIX
    Ellen pulled into the driveway of the brownstone in Alexandria, Virginia, and parked behind her sister’s minivan. Her parents had lived in this house her entire life, and she and her sister Joan had grown up here in rooms filled with Webster family history. Ellen always loved to visit, even when she had to endure Joan’s company as well. Today was their mother’s birthday and, like all other family occasions, they celebrated it together.
    She picked up her present and a pastry box from the passenger seat and got out of the car, admiring the tulips sprinkled brightly around the house. The sound of Joan’s two whining children assaulted her at the front door. Each insisted on handing Grandma her present, and they almost had a crying fit until Joan told them they could both carry it to her.
    Ellen couldn’t stand her niece and nephew, the annoying little gnats. She swatted them away whenever they came near her, which was only when they wanted something. After the kids ran out the back door, Joan turned to the counter and scowled at Ellen.
    “Well, I thought you’d never get here,” Joan said, exasperated as usual.
    Ellen glanced at her watch. “I thought we were supposed to be here at one.”
    “Yes, of course, but there’s so much preparation beforehand. I could have used some help.”
    “Joan, Mother’s seventy-two years old today and can’t stand a fuss. She enjoys a simple, quiet meal and family, that’s all.”
    “That’s easy for you to say. You just show up, enjoy yourself, and then leave. I do all the work.”
    “You know that’s not true. Mother does most of the work because she enjoys it, and I’ll be here to clean up. Where are she and Dad?”
    Joan nodded toward the back door. “They’re on the patio. Dad decided to grill the steaks outside since it’s so nice today. I made a salad and the baked potatoes are in the oven.”
    “Here’s dessert.” Ellen placed the pastry box on the counter.
    “What is it?”
    “Bostocks, of course. Mom’s favorite.” Ellen lifted the lid so Joan could see.
    “Oh, Ellen, you know she shouldn’t be eating that. She has to watch her cholesterol.”
    “One bostock on her birthday won’t kill her. At her age she deserves to have some fun.” Ellen wiped a bit of almond cream from the side of the box with her finger and popped it into her mouth.
    “Yeah, right. You just enjoy having an excuse to eat that junk yourself. Have you gained more weight since the last time I saw you?” Joan gazed at her and frowned.
    Ellen’s cheeks burned. “Leave it alone, Joan.” She was in no mood to argue with her sister over this ongoing theme.
    Joan raised her hands in protest. “Fine, fine. If you want to ruin your body, that’s up to you.”
    “Thank you.”
    “With summer not that far away I thought you’d want to look decent. You can’t go to the club like that .” Joan made a sweeping gesture toward Ellen’s belly and hips. “No man there would look twice at you.”
    Ellen clenched her fists and struggled to control her temper.
    “Joan, you know I don’t give a damn about men. How many times do I have to tell you that?”
    “Oh, that’s right, you like women .” Joan emphasized the last word as though it were obscene. “Whatever. Go have your fun, get it out of your system. One of these days, though, you’ll wish you’d stayed in shape. The older you get, the less likely a man will find you attractive.”
    Ellen closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her sister’s determined denial always amazed her. No matter how many times they had this conversation, it was as though she