Home with My Sisters (22 page)

“We should break into his cabin,” Joy said. “See what he's hiding.”

“Oh my God,” Hope said. “We are so not doing that.”

“Well, I'm not agreeing to anything until we check him out,” Joy said.

“I agree,” Faith said.

“What?” Hope should have known they were going to pull something like this. Sure, she'd been thinking the same thing, but in her head where no one could hear her.

“It's due diligence,” Faith said. “We can't just take her word that he's a decent guy. And even if he is. So what? Like Joy said—what if down the road he gets sick and needs round-the-clock care? If this contract says he's to live on the property, who is going to be his nursemaid? It's ridiculous.”

“We should just sell it and get on with our lives,” Joy said. Joy's money would be gone in a year. Hope knew it, Faith knew it. If she did open a coffee shop it would fold within the year. Joy didn't have experience running a business, let alone starting one from scratch, and she certainly wasn't mature enough to stick with it through the rough patches. It might not be a nice thing to think about her own sister, but it was the truth.

“Can't we just enjoy the time alone with each other right now and figure this out later?” Hope said.

“We could if it weren't for the fact that Granny wants to draw up the contracts,” Joy said.

“Why don't we add a clause that if he gets to a point where he needs physical or mental round-the-clock care, that he will be sent to such a place.” Hope thought her suggestion was sound.

Faith turned to her. “Do you want to live in the house year-round?”

Did she? The thought had crossed Hope's mind. Austin had crossed her mind too. A lot. “I'd certainly be willing to consider it.”

“That's so not an answer,” Faith said.

“She totally wants to live here,” Joy said. “Although I don't see why.”

You don't see why?
Hope jumped off the retaining wall and scooped up some snow. She rolled it into a ball.

“What are you doing?” Joy said. Hope hurled a snowball at Joy, aiming for the puffiest spot on her coat so that it wouldn't really hurt. Joy squealed and jumped off the wall. She made a snowball and returned fire.

“You two are so immature,” Faith said. In unison, Hope and Joy made more snowballs and shot them at Faith. Faith, too, jumped off the wall.

“Juvenile!” she said. But she was laughing. Nearby kids careened down the hill. After a flurry of snowballs, they stopped to catch their breath.

“You and Harrison could open a coffee hut on the property,” Hope said. “Especially if we open the skating up to the public again.”

“Small potatoes,” Joy said.

“It's a start,” Hope said. “Without a lot of overhead.”

“Why don't I just buy a coffee truck and drive it around town?” Joy said with disgust.

“That's not a bad idea,” Hope said. “Tourists would love that.”

“And what about the rest of the year?” Joy said. “We'd go broke.”

“At least you'd have a little truck to live in and drive around in,” Faith said.

“You two are hideous,” Joy said. “I was being sarcastic.”

“I think it's a great start,” Hope said. “Faith's right, you could drive the truck all over.”

“I could drive it straight into the two of you,” Joy said.

“What a lovely sentiment for the holidays,” Hope said. Joy stuck out her tongue. Hope imagined her getting it stuck to a pole like in
A Christmas Story.

“I'm getting cold,” Faith said. “Let's hit the shops.”

“Wait. Let's sled down the hill,” Joy said. “Just once.”

“Remember the year we went sledding with Mom?” Faith said.

“That was a great day,” Hope said.

“I hate you two!” Joy said.

“You were there,” Faith said. “Mom held you the entire time.”

Hope lunged at Joy and hugged her. Faith slammed in and joined the hug. Any outsider watching would have thought they were the closest sisters in the world. For a second, they felt like they were.

“Let's do it,” Joy said, breaking out of the hug and heading for the sledding area. Faith and Hope hurried after her.

“We don't have a sled,” Faith yelled.

“They rent them,” Hope said. “Yvette's husband used to own it.”

“They're used,” Faith said. “Anything could go wrong.”

“You can just watch then,” Joy said. “Hope and I will go.” Hope and Joy exchanged a smile and kept moving forward, knowing that any second Faith would blow past them and take the lead.

CHAPTER 23

Austin threw open the door of the barn, where the skates were housed. He wished Hope was here; she seemed really eager to start the skating party; but once he mentioned it Brittany lit up like the star on top of the Rockefeller Center tree, so there was no going back. Luckily, Roger had been shoveling the snow off the pond since the Garland Girls arrived, and its surface was as smooth as a mirror. Josh was lurking at the edges, but at least he was around and safe. He hadn't made eye contact with Austin since he arrived, increasing his suspicion that Josh had been that morning's caller. Until he knew for sure, he was going to make sure the kid was always in somebody's sight.

Inside the barn, skates were stacked floor-to-rafters on the shelves. Although Austin didn't miss the traffic jams that existed in the days when the lodge was open for skating and other festivities, he did miss the music, and the sound of children's laughter, the scratch and swish of the skates as they went round and round. Roger had followed him into the barn and stood looking at the skates as well. He had certainly come to life lately. Austin turned to him.

“How's it going?”

Roger didn't vocalize and answer, but he did give a nod. Now that was interesting. It meant he understood Austin perfectly well. Austin wasn't sure now if that made him more suspicious of the man or less. It would certainly help if he could have a conversation with him.

“Where's Harrison?” Brittany asked.

“Watching television,” Josh said. “I think I'll join him.”

“Aw, come on,” Austin said. “This will be fun.” Roger headed farther into the interior of the barn. “Why don't you ask Harrison to join us?”

“I'll do it,” Brittany said. She tore off for the house.

“Are you sure the ice is ready?” Josh asked.

“I'm sure,” Austin said.
There's no way you can fall through and drown.
It was him. Oh boy. It was definitely him. They stood around for a few awkward moments until Brittany came running back.

“That was quick,” Austin said.

“I knocked on the window,” Brittany said in between trying to catch her breath. “He's coming.” Austin helped Brittany find her size, grabbed a pair for himself, and then asked Josh his size. Josh reluctantly found his size on his own—and the three plopped down on a bench near the pond to put on their skates.

“Where's Roger?” Brittany said. “Is he skating too?”

“He's somewhere in the barn,” Austin said.

“He's a nice man,” Brittany said.

“He's a weirdo,” Josh said. “He's probably just going to lurk on the side and watch us.”

Austin wanted to tell him not to judge. That would make him a hypocrite. He'd had his own doubts about Roger. He also didn't want Josh to feel scolded. He was already in a dangerous place. Austin was probably going to have to break some rules and confront Josh about the call. The consequences of doing nothing were too serious. His brother might just be alive today if someone had done that for him.

Brittany glided around the ice like it was the easiest thing in the world. Whenever she fell, she'd mutter a little “Oops!” and bounce back up. Austin stumbled a few times before his body remembered the rhythm. He used to be real good. He found himself imagining going around and around with Hope. Holding her hand. Roger, indeed, stood on the sidelines, grinning and giving Brittany a thumbs-up every single time she passed. Josh sat on the bench kicking the skates near his feet. Harrison emerged and sauntered over to the fence surrounding the skating pond.

“Join us,” Austin said when he came around again. “Both of you.” Josh just stared.

“I'll be the cheering section,” Harrison said, grinning and flashing them a thumbs-up.

“Don't you want to skate?” Brittany said.

“I'll spend the entire time on my behind,” Harrison said, taking a seat on the bench.

“But you'd be doing that anyway,” Brittany said, coming around and eyeing him on the bench.

Harrison laughed. “Right, but it's not frostbitten,” Harrison said, giving a slap to his behind.

“Please, Josh,” Brittany said. Roger came near Josh and patted him on the back. Josh jerked away.

Roger finally got the hint and left. A few minutes later, “Jingle Bells” started to play. Roger had found the stereo system they'd used back in the day. The music rang, loud and clear, into the air. Austin looked at him and gave him a thumbs-up. Roger just stared at him for a moment, then nodded. “Our own personal holiday soundtrack!” Austin exclaimed.

“ ‘Jingle bells! Jingle bells!' ” Brittany sang out. God, it was great to have someone around who was truly excited about the season. No matter how bad adults felt at this time of year, a wide-eyed child could sure make you remember what it was all about. Harrison began to sing along as well, enthusiastically and loudly. He had a fantastic voice.

“Yea, Christmas carols,” Austin said, pumping his fist.

“You're weird,” Josh yelled to Austin as he zoomed past.

“Sometimes weird is good,” Austin said with another glance at Roger. “Sometimes weird is good.”

* * *

The minute they were all seated on the sled, Hope began to have second thoughts. Was this sled really big enough for all three of them? She was in the middle, no surprise there, with Faith in front, and Joy squeezing her from the back. Joy's legs were straight out, making a V—also making Hope feel trapped. She was just about to tell them she'd changed her mind when the kid manning the operation gave them a push and the sled was launched. Joy whooped as it picked up speed.
Oh God, oh God, oh God.
Faith was right. They were going to crash at the bottom and someone was going to break a limb. Faith was laughing, and Joy was screaming, and Hope knew her face was frozen in terror. The ride wasn't smooth, probably due to their combined weight. She could feel every little bump in the terrain. Her bum was already hurting. But, God, the mountains in the distance, so clear, so beautiful. The sky, the snow, the twinkling village below.

“Whoo-hoo,” Hope heard herself yell.

“Whoo-hoo!” Joy answered. Joy's arms tightened around Hope's waist and she in turn squeezed Faith. Faith pumped her fist. They were halfway down, pine trees appeared to whiz by on either side. Hope could see the bottom of the hill coming up, the terrain was designed to slow the sled, and employees were waiting to make sure the path was clear in order to avoid collisions. Maybe now Faith would let Josh and Brittany do this, although Hope wasn't going to go again. By the time they reached the bottom and a kid helped Hope off the sled, she was certain she was going to be sick. She took a few wobbly steps, then fell on her face. She could hear Joy and Faith cackling behind her.

“And she didn't even drink!” Joy said. Hope heard the click of someone's camera phone.

“That's going to be my new profile picture on Facebook,” Faith said. Hope just lay there. Soon she was being lifted, Joy yanking on one arm, Faith the other. They were both laughing so hard they couldn't talk.

Hope wanted to wipe snow off her face, but her arms were trapped by her sisters. She spit out ice. “Not funny,” she said.

“So funny,” Faith said.

“Hilarious,” Joy said.

“Let's go again,” Faith said.

* * *

Hope waited at the bottom while they went again. It had been her suggestion in the first place, so why wasn't she happier that they had such a good time? She'd tried to get them to wait, to do it again with Brittany and Josh, but Faith and Joy were off in tipsy-land. Maybe they'd be in the mood for a little Christmas shopping when they came down. Hope imagined being on a sled with Austin. He'd sit behind her and wrap his arms around her waist. She probably would have done it a second time with him. She wondered where he was this very moment and what he was doing.

“I'm too worn out for shopping,” Faith said when they finished the second round.

“Drinks?” Joy said.

“We had drinks,” Hope said. “We should get back so we can spend time with the kids.” Faith shot her a dirty look, as if she was angry for Hope saying that instead of her.

“They like you better,” Joy said to Hope. “You're the favorite aunt.”

“Don't start,” Faith said. “We were actually having fun.”

“Let's go home and go skating with the kids,” Hope said.

“We could hit the hot tub,” Joy said.

“That's a fabulous idea,” Faith said, poking Hope. “You could make those candy cane martinis.”

“Yum,” Joy said.

Had they not heard a word about spending time with the kids? “Let's skate with the kids and then do the hot tub,” Hope said. “Or we could all make cookies. Snuggle around the tree.”

Joy and Faith looked at each other. “Hot tub and cocktails?” Joy said.

“Hot tub and cocktails,” Faith said. Faith barged ahead to the car. Joy tugged on Hope's sleeve. “I'm going to get her drunk and find out who she's sleeping with.”

Hope just stared at Joy, mouth slightly agape.

Joy flounced ahead, catching up with Faith, linking arms with her, giggling like they were schoolgirls. She watched their hair bounce, heard their laughter mingle together. Hope, too, wanted details on who Faith was sleeping with and why. But she was giving Faith space, waiting for her to tell them in her own good time. Maybe she wasn't really related to Faith and Joy. Maybe she was adopted. Maybe that's why she was so drawn to orphaned dogs. Maybe they were all adopted.

* * *

Josh sat on the bench, freezing his behind off with Harrison as Brittany and Austin continued to skate and laugh, but his mind was elsewhere. He was playing out the fantasy that his mother would once, just once, leave her phone where he could get at it. He'd thought about sneaking into her room while she was sleeping, but the thought of getting caught terrified him. If he could just get the phone and find out who this guy Charlie was, then he'd get the information to his father so he could do something about it. He would do something about it, wouldn't he? His father still loved his mother, he could tell. Not only could he tell, he could see how much his father was hurting. All you had to do was look in his eyes and see the pain. Sometimes he saw the same pained eyes when he looked in the mirror. Sometimes he felt so sad he just wanted it all to stop. He spent a lot of time imagining his death, and even more time imagining everyone's reaction. He'd play it over and over again in his mind. He knew it wasn't right to do that, and the really sick part was—he actually enjoyed it. Not imagining he was dead, but imagining everyone else reacting to it. It felt so satisfying to be the one to finally make them get it. To make them see that they just didn't appreciate anything, especially him. In his fantasies it felt so good to show them.

Brittany was clueless, going on and on about Christmas as if they were children, acting like a child, getting all of Aunt Hope's attention. Josh was just waiting for Brittany to declare that she still believed in Santa Claus. Everyone around here was pretending. Josh was tired of watching them skate, but he got the feeling Austin was keeping his eye on him. Josh had to act normal so the guy would leave him alone. He was tired of everything. Would anything ever seem fun again? He wanted to snap out of his bad moods and he tried, really he did, but they always came back. Like a Ninja pouncing on him, hijacking his brain. It was an impulse, that's all, like when the doctor hit your knee with that little silver hammer and it bounced up. His knee kept bouncing up even though he wanted it to stop. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

You're an idiot, Josh
. Now he'd be watched like a hawk. Not that he really intended on killing himself. It just made him feel calmer, having the option. An escape hatch when things got too jumbled inside his head. A way out. A way to show them. But he would never do it. He knew that now. It was time to stop all this pretending.

He just needed to get his mom's phone and find out who Charlie was, and why his mom was calling him all the time with that goofy look on her face. Then he had to make sure his dad came out here.

Drowning. Did he really ask Austin about drowning? The pond was way too frozen. Maybe he could go sledding and aim directly for a tree. But what if he just ended up brain-damaged? Like Roger? Of course he probably wouldn't know it, so maybe it wouldn't matter. Roger seemed happy enough.

No. He didn't want brain damage, and he didn't really want to end his life. He just wanted things to go back to the way they were. It was all his mother's fault. She was planning on destroying the only thing he liked about his family: his dad. It would be one thing if his dad was happy about it. Josh could go live with him. He'd have his own room. They'd go to baseball games and order pizza every night and leave the television on full blast overnight. Cleaning would only be when necessary.

“Your mother and sister are coming over,” his father would say. “Let's throw these boxes out and turn down the television.” Josh wouldn't mind that. His mother would miss him so much she'd bring video games and cupcakes. Brittany would be squirming with jealousy.

But his father wasn't acting as if he wanted to get a place with Josh. His father was scuttling around like a tortured man. He didn't want to be cheated on and he didn't want a bachelor pad with or without his son because he didn't want a divorce.

“Come on. Put those skates on and get out here,” Austin called, breaking Josh out of his daydream. Just then Roger plopped down next to him on the bench. Josh scooted away. Did he notice? Had he just hurt his feelings? Roger didn't seem to notice. He picked up the skate closest to him and began loosening the laces, as if preparing it. He handed it to Josh. Josh pointed at Roger.