CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

“How long is this shindig supposed to last, Mom? I’m supposed to go out with Sam for dinner and a movie tonight. He leaves for boot camp tomorrow, remember.”

“Mat, you’re whining again. You know family comes first. Linda only comes to town twice a year. You can take time out of your “oh-so-busy” schedule to spend some time with her and the rest of the family.” Mom handed Mattie a platter of barbeques. “Put these out on the picnic table.”

“Mom, please, Mattie or Matilde. Mat worked when I was in high school, but not now.” Her mom followed her with a bowl of chips and a bowl of potato salad.

“Matilde, is that better,” her mother whispered condescendingly, “where’s your sister?”

“Upstairs on the computer, I suppose.”

“Go up and let her know Linda’s here and we’re ready to eat.” As Mattie left the deck, she heard her mother’s voice, “Let’s stand and sing grace. Ruth, would you begin for us?” Mattie opened the door to Erika’s room and glared at her. “You’re wearing my clothes again. That’s my favorite date shirt.”

“Looks good on me, doesn’t it?” Erika strutted and turned in front of the mirror.

“Take it off and put on one of your own! Mom wants you on the deck right away. I’m tired of you wearing my clothes and taking my things.” Mattie held out a hand and waited for her sister to give her the shirt.

“Anyway, you’re not going to need it tonight; you’re stuck here with relatives. I’m headed to Club Aquarius with Abby and Rachael.”

“That dive of a bar? You’ll never get out of here with Linda in town. Mom feels that we need to visit with family.” Mattie accented the “visit with family” with air quotes. “My shirt?”

Erika took off the silky red top and stuffed it into a backpack along with an old geometry book. “Watch and learn little sis.”

“Quit calling me that. I’m only 3 minutes younger than you.”

“Well, I’m going out even with Linda here. Besides, Club Aquarius is better than the watering hole on campus.” Erika put on a different shirt, grabbed the backpack, and proceeded to the deck. Linda followed.

“Give me back my shirt!”

Erika paused with her hand on the doorknob. “What shirt? And we shouldn’t be arguing with company here.”

“Erika, my shirt.” Too late; Erika opened the door.

“There you are.” Mattie could hear her mother announce as Erika stepped onto the deck.

Erika kissed her mom on the cheek and sat down. “Hi, Linda. Long time since you’ve been home. How’s the job at the bank?”

“Well, hello to you as well. I was wondering when you would grace our presence. The job’s ok. I was just telling your brother here that I’ve been transferred to one of our bigger branches and been given a promotion to loan officer.”

“Linda, that’s fab.” Mattie watched with irritation as she filled a plate with food. She watched her sister make small talk. She watched her read a text message. She watched her send an answer. She listened to what followed and Mattie’s irritation with her sister grew. “Linda, we’ll have to catch up later. I have a friend whose little sister needs help with geometry before finals. When do you go back?”

“Monday evening, but maybe we can get together for breakfast before I leave for the airport. Mom has a list of chores for me to finish while I’m here, but I’m sure I’ll be done by Sunday night.”

“Sure, that’s great. Call me or text me with the details. Enjoy your time here.” With that she hugged her cousin and walked toward the door.

“Erika, where do you think you’re going?”

Ah now she has to deal with Mom. She chuckled to herself. Mom won’t let her out of this party.

“Sally’s sister, the one who’s a senior, needs some tutoring before finals on Monday. Sally thought since I was a math major I might be able to help. I really don’t want to leave your party, but I would feel guilty if Kristin failed geometry. Besides, Linda and I are going to breakfast Monday morning if she has time.”

“I understand. Drive safely.”

Erika grabbed her backpack and winked at Mattie. “Consider yourself stuck with the chore of entertaining family. Hope you have some time night to spend with Sam before he leaves.”

“Mom, I need to talk to you in the kitchen.” With the kitchen door closed behind them, Mattie began. Years of anger and irritation clouded her voice. “Mom, do you realize that Erika has no intentions in tutoring Sally’s sister tonight. She’s headed to a bar with Abby and Rachael.”

“Mat.”

“She even has my favorite shirt in her backpack.”

“Mat, can’t you be more like your sister?”

“Oh, right, lie to you and dad and everyone else with the intentions of being a compassionate human being. You’ve never seen through her games. She always has some convincing story that you buy.”

“Mat, your sister is never too busy to help people. I really wish you could see your sister for what she is – caring, helpful, compassionate – and not as competition.”

“More like a lying, conniving bitch.” Mattie stormed up the stairs to her room leaving her mother standing in the kitchen.

CHAPTER 1 WORD COUNT = 891