Maybe Lydia can confirm my suspicions.
“How long is she going to stay with us?” I look at my father.
“A few weeks.”
“Did you ask her why she came back now ? I mean, it’s been more than twenty years. Why didn’t she come back when you guys got married? Or when me and Mattie were born? Or at least when Mom died ?”
He sighs. “I suspect that she’s feeling very guilty for missing out on all that, Vee. Maybe she wasn’t ready yet.”
This answer doesn’t fully satisfy me. There has to be more to her sudden appearance. Why is she here now ?
As Mattie and I walk down the hall to my bedroom, the bathroom door opens. Steam escapes from within, and Lydia appears, toweling her hair dry. My father loaned her his bathrobe to wear. It’s huge on her, but she doesn’t seem to mind. It makes me feel strange, seeing her wrapped up in his clothes. I remember my mother stealing that same robe, claiming that it was so much roomier and more comfortable than her own.
“Girls, I want to thank you so much for letting me stay. I know it must be strange. After all, this is the first time we’ve met. But I just know we’re going to be great friends, the three of us.” She flashes a bright smile.
Mattie doesn’t miss a beat. “My catsa sue catsa. Or something. I’m not all that great at Spanish.”
Lydia laughs. “That wasn’t my favorite class, either.”
“Do you need anything?” I ask. “Toothbrush? Another pillow?”
She holds up a pink toothbrush. “I’m covered.”
“Well, good night then.” I open my bedroom door.
“Sweet dreams,” Lydia says, reaching out and ruffling Mattie’s hair. Something about the gesture irks me, but I can’t articulate what it is. Mattie just smiles and follows me into my room.
After I close my door behind us, Mattie sighs happily. “This is going to be great.”
I nod, but inside I’m not sure I agree.
Chapter Nine
A s Mattie strips off her jeans and pink top and shimmies into her pajamas, I run a brush through my hair. My weariness comes on all at once. First the thing with Rollins, and then an aunt who I’ve never met before showing up on our doorstep. Yawning, I change into an oversized Radiohead T-shirt.
Mattie slips under the covers, her cheeks glowing. “Isn’t she beautiful?” she asks as I lie down next to her.
I punch my pillow. “Yeah. She looks just like Mom.”
Mattie is quiet then for a moment, just staring up at the ceiling. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her like this. Peaceful. Hopeful, even. Finally, she flips over and props her chin up with the palm of her hand. “Can I tell you a secret?”
Even though I want badly to just turn over and go to sleep, I force a smile. “Sure. What’s up?”
“There’s this guy . . .” Mattie says softly, her eyes bright.
“Yeah . . . ?” I prompt, my faux smile turning genuine. In this moment, she reminds me so much of the old Mattie, the outgoing one with a million friends and a different crush every week.
Her face reddens slightly. “Russ White.”
I cover my mouth, trying to hide my amusement. “Really.” Russ White is a tall, good-looking senior with glasses. The reason I’m so surprised is that he’s not Mattie’s type. He’s not popular in the usual way—he’s not athletic or party-obsessed. He’s actually my age, but he’s so smart he skipped a grade in elementary school. Known for being kind to everyone, he has an infectious smile and a great sense of humor. Everyone likes him, but I’ve never known him to have a girlfriend.
My sister rolls onto her back. “Of course. He’s hot.”
I cock my head to the side. It’s true. He is hot, in a studious sort of way.
Mattie kicks one of her legs up in the air and examines her pedicure. She starts to ramble, explaining the story of how she met Russ.
“I was in the library trying to check out a book for my history project, but Mrs. Nelson was saying I owed a fine for some vampire book I checked out at the
“How long is she going to stay with us?” I look at my father.
“A few weeks.”
“Did you ask her why she came back now ? I mean, it’s been more than twenty years. Why didn’t she come back when you guys got married? Or when me and Mattie were born? Or at least when Mom died ?”
He sighs. “I suspect that she’s feeling very guilty for missing out on all that, Vee. Maybe she wasn’t ready yet.”
This answer doesn’t fully satisfy me. There has to be more to her sudden appearance. Why is she here now ?
As Mattie and I walk down the hall to my bedroom, the bathroom door opens. Steam escapes from within, and Lydia appears, toweling her hair dry. My father loaned her his bathrobe to wear. It’s huge on her, but she doesn’t seem to mind. It makes me feel strange, seeing her wrapped up in his clothes. I remember my mother stealing that same robe, claiming that it was so much roomier and more comfortable than her own.
“Girls, I want to thank you so much for letting me stay. I know it must be strange. After all, this is the first time we’ve met. But I just know we’re going to be great friends, the three of us.” She flashes a bright smile.
Mattie doesn’t miss a beat. “My catsa sue catsa. Or something. I’m not all that great at Spanish.”
Lydia laughs. “That wasn’t my favorite class, either.”
“Do you need anything?” I ask. “Toothbrush? Another pillow?”
She holds up a pink toothbrush. “I’m covered.”
“Well, good night then.” I open my bedroom door.
“Sweet dreams,” Lydia says, reaching out and ruffling Mattie’s hair. Something about the gesture irks me, but I can’t articulate what it is. Mattie just smiles and follows me into my room.
After I close my door behind us, Mattie sighs happily. “This is going to be great.”
I nod, but inside I’m not sure I agree.
Chapter Nine
A s Mattie strips off her jeans and pink top and shimmies into her pajamas, I run a brush through my hair. My weariness comes on all at once. First the thing with Rollins, and then an aunt who I’ve never met before showing up on our doorstep. Yawning, I change into an oversized Radiohead T-shirt.
Mattie slips under the covers, her cheeks glowing. “Isn’t she beautiful?” she asks as I lie down next to her.
I punch my pillow. “Yeah. She looks just like Mom.”
Mattie is quiet then for a moment, just staring up at the ceiling. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her like this. Peaceful. Hopeful, even. Finally, she flips over and props her chin up with the palm of her hand. “Can I tell you a secret?”
Even though I want badly to just turn over and go to sleep, I force a smile. “Sure. What’s up?”
“There’s this guy . . .” Mattie says softly, her eyes bright.
“Yeah . . . ?” I prompt, my faux smile turning genuine. In this moment, she reminds me so much of the old Mattie, the outgoing one with a million friends and a different crush every week.
Her face reddens slightly. “Russ White.”
I cover my mouth, trying to hide my amusement. “Really.” Russ White is a tall, good-looking senior with glasses. The reason I’m so surprised is that he’s not Mattie’s type. He’s not popular in the usual way—he’s not athletic or party-obsessed. He’s actually my age, but he’s so smart he skipped a grade in elementary school. Known for being kind to everyone, he has an infectious smile and a great sense of humor. Everyone likes him, but I’ve never known him to have a girlfriend.
My sister rolls onto her back. “Of course. He’s hot.”
I cock my head to the side. It’s true. He is hot, in a studious sort of way.
Mattie kicks one of her legs up in the air and examines her pedicure. She starts to ramble, explaining the story of how she met Russ.
“I was in the library trying to check out a book for my history project, but Mrs. Nelson was saying I owed a fine for some vampire book I checked out at the
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