Between Sisters - Kristin Hannah [89]
They were trying to include her, especially the Bluesers, but the more they tried to make her a part of the group, the more alienated she felt. She could talk about a lot of things—world politics, the situation in the Mideast, where to get the best deal on designer clothes, real estate markets, and Wall Street. What she couldn't talk about were family things. Kid things.
Meghann stood at the fireplace in Gina's beautifully decorated house, sipping her second margarita. This one, like the first, was disappearing much too quickly. There were pods of people everywhere—on the deck, in the living room, sitting at the dining-room table—all talking and laughing among themselves. Across the room, Claire stood at the kitchen bar/counter, eating potato chips and laughing with Gina. As Meghann watched, Bobby came up behind Claire and whispered something in her ear. She immediately turned into his arms. They came together like puzzle pieces, fitting perfectly, and when Claire looked up at Bobby, her face glowed.
Love.
There it was, in all its quicksilver glory.
Please, God, she found herself praying for the first time in years, let it be real.
“Okay, everyone,” Gina said, coming into the room. “Now it's time for the second part of the evening.”
A hush fell. Everyone looked up.
Gina smiled. “Hector is opening the bowling alley just for us! We leave in fifteen minutes.”
Bowling. Rented shoes. Polyester shirts. The division of people into teams.
Meg eased away from the wall. Taking a sip of her cocktail, she realized that she'd finished it. “Damn.”
“We haven't really met yet. I'm Harold Banner. Karen's husband.”
Meghann was startled by the man's presence. She hadn't heard him approach. “Hello, Harold.”
He was a tall, thin man with bushy black eyebrows and a smile that was just a bit too wide, as if maybe he had too many teeth. “I hear you're a lawyer.”
“Yes.”
“Let me ask you then—”
She tried not to groan.
He barked out a braying laugh. “Just kidding. I'm a doctor. I get the same thing all the time. Everyone I meet mentions a pain somewhere.”
In the ass, maybe. She nodded and looked down into her empty glass again.
“I guess you left your husband at home, huh? Lucky guy. Karen makes me show up at everything.”
“I'm single.” She tried not to grit her teeth, but this was about the tenth time she'd had to reveal that tonight.
“Ah. Footloose and fancy-free. Lucky you. Kids?”
She knew he was just being nice, trying to find some common ground for conversation, but she didn't care. Tonight had been brutal. One more reminder that she was a woman alone in the world and she'd probably scream. Normally she was proud of her independence, but this small-town crowd made her feel as if she lacked something important. “I'm sorry, Harold. I need to go now.”
“What about bowling?”
“I don't bowl.” She walked across the living room and came up beside Claire, gently putting her hand on her sister's shoulder.
Claire turned. She looked so happy right then it took Meghann's breath away. When she saw Meghann, she laughed. “Let me guess. You're not a bowler.”
“Oh, I love bowling. Really,” she added at her sister's skeptical look. “I have my own ball.” She knew immediately that she'd gone too far with that one.
“You do, huh?” Claire leaned against Bobby, who was talking animatedly to Charlotte's husband.
“Unfortunately, I have a few last-minute details I need to go over for tomorrow. I have to get up early.”
Claire nodded. “I understand, Meg. I really do.”
“I thought I'd call Mama again, too.”
Claire's happy look faded. “Do you think she'll show up?”
Meghann wished she could protect Claire from Mama. “I'll do my best to get her here.”
Claire nodded.
“Well. Bye. I'll tell Gina why I'm leaving.”
Fifteen minutes later, Meghann was in her car, speeding down the country road toward Hayden. She had the top down, and the cool night air whipped through her hair.
She tried to