Page 6 of The Wrong Sister
“We hang out without you all the time, Catherine. We’re the fun ones, remember?”
“I’m fun!”
I snort. “Okay, Grandma. You’re currently talking to me while working on a spreadsheet.”
“I’m an accountant, Mina. This is all I do.”
“I know, I know. And you’re excellent at your job.”Like everything, I think to myself and then mentally give myself the finger for acting like a petulant child. It’s not Catherine’s fault I’m in a mood. “Do you want to come with us? I’d sort of stopped inviting you because you always say no when it’s just me and Raff. You’re always welcome! I’m sure we’ll end up walking over to SALT. Possibly Moku.”
“Maybe. Can I let you know? I don’t know if I have plans or not.”
“How do you not know if you have plans? Shouldn’t you of all people be privy to this information?”
“Griffin mentioned doing something, but I haven’t heard from him.”
I’m glad she’s not looking at me as I’m sure I’m doing a terrible job of hiding my jealousy. “Gotcha. Well, Raff is coming to my apartment at 6. You can meet us there if you’re free. We’ll still be getting dinner, regardless.”
“That sounds good! I’ll let you know, either way, so you’re not waiting around, unsure.” She finishes her rapid typing and turns back to the phone screen. “Wow, I’m only now really looking at you. You look hot today, Meens! I love that dark lipstick on you. I could never pull that off. You always look like such an edgy badass!”
That right there is why I’d always want the very best for Catherine, even if it ends up hurting me. It doesn’t matter how beautiful, smart, and freaking perfect she is, Catherine is also kind and genuine and since we became adults, my biggest cheerleader.
“You could look like an edgy badass if you wanted to, Catherine. You look good in everything.”
“I could try, Meens. I might even come up with a good approximation. But I’d be imitating. You look like a fierce queen who doesn’t take shit from anyone because that’s who you are! I’m fine with looking like a mild-mannered accountant who loves embroidery and reading cozy mysteries because that’s who I am. I accepted that a long time ago.” Her voice sounds wistful.
“Thanks for being you, Catherine. And for deftly ignoring my bad mood. I love you.”
We sign off and I feel marginally better about the whole situation. Sure, I may still be jealous that Griffin chose someone else but, honestly, he couldn’t do better than Catherine. It would be easier if I could hate them both, but I never could. At least I can bitch and moan with Rafferty this weekend. That always perks me right up.
5
griffin
11 years ago
This is going to be my year. I’m getting my license, I’ll gain a bit of freedom, high school will be my kingdom. No, wait. That’s way too self-involved. I’m not even popular enough for that. High school will be…markedly better. I don’t have to be the nerd who obsesses over his grades and never goes to any parties. Let’s be honest, I’ll always be that. But the grades-obsessed nerd can also be the surfer with the old truck, ya? I could be a little more than just boring old Griffin.
I can see it now. A pretty girl, identity currently unknown, sitting in the cab of my truck. We’ll drive with the windows down, her hair dancing in the wind, smiling and holding hands. There will be Friday night football games, Saturday afternoon dates, beach bonfires, weekend malasada runs, tossing surfboards in the back and hitting the waves with Rafferty.
Having my license feels like the key to finally being able to let loose and have a little more fun. Raff likes to tease me about being too serious, and maybe he’s right. But I don’t have to be serious all the time. I could make room for fun. If I don’t have to worry about taking Mom or Dad away from more important things to get a ride, I can be more spontaneous. I’m sure I can. We all used to have fun. Constantly. Laughing and talking and piling into the old treehouse to avoid being called in to help with the younger Brookner brothers. All of the Ka'a'awa quartet is at Kahuku now. Maybe once I have my own truck I can drive us all to school. Me, Raff, Catherine, and Mina. It could be what we need to get back that closeness we used to have before we overheard our parents playing matchmaker and everything got screwed up.
My parents are out on the lanai, drinking their morning coffee and talking. It’s kind of their thing. Their morning ritual. Mom says it’s how they ‘touch base,’ starting their day together. They’re embarrassingly in love and as gross about it as Mina and Catherine’s parents. I’m heating up some fried rice for my breakfast when I realize they’re talking about me and Rafferty.
“Rafferty needs the freedom to feel! He’s not himself without art—that’s how he works through things. If he allows himself to be trapped in some office job, he’ll go crazy!” Mom says, cupping her mug with both hands.
“That’s true. I don’t know how to help him figure out what he wants without pushing him. I don’t want to make decisions for him, only help him, if he wants it. Help him figure out how to pay his bills and still be happy.” Dad stretches his legs out, leaning back in his chair.
“Tell him that. Honestly, you boys do like to overcomplicate things!” Mom laughs. “Now Griffin? Lawyer, 100%.”
“A lawyer?” Dad scoffs. “He hates confrontation and arguments.”
“No, wait, hear me out! He is so justice-driven. He wants everything to be fair and logical and right. He’s always put others first. He’s so concerned with doing the right thing and not letting people down. He should put his natural inclinations to good use. He could help people that way! Maybe…family law. I like to think of my boys helping people.”
They’re volleying back and forth, but I’ve lost the thread, my mind wandering. They want me to be a lawyer? Hmm. What mom said made sense. I could see it. I mean, it would have been nice if they had talked tomeabout it, but I can see the truth in her words. I’d hate to pursue something that would leave them disappointed in me. I skip right over the irritation that Raff doesn’t have his decisions made for him. There’s no point in getting upset. I can’t control it. And it’s not fair to fault Raff for it.
I’m lost in thought, eating my fried rice while barely noticing the flavor, when I hear my name again and almost choke on a chunk of spam.
“…to focus. High school dating is so silly anyway, ya? They’ll have so much time for that later. Griffin is different. I just want them to do well in school, think about what direction they want their lives to go, and be smart, that’s all.” Mom sighs and Dad pats her hand affectionately.
