“Are you excited to see your mom?” Lizzie asked, interrupting Nicole’s thoughts.
Nicole snorted. “Not really. I haven’t talked to her since before Arches.”
“Wow. I had no idea it had been that long.”
“She’s probably nervous. I’ve never gone so long without communicating with her.” Nicole looked at Lizzie. “But what she did was awful. Uncalled for.”
“What exactly did she do? She never confessed to anything. And now that you know Rebecca, it’s not that big of a deal, right?”
“Hey, I’m not going to be forgetting those spiders any time soon. Or the fact that my mom manipulated my life—my decisions—by going behind my back.”
“Most kids would love it if their parents paid their rent.”
Nicole sighed. “I know. But not this one.”
“Wanna come see my family before you head home?”
Nicole felt her spirits lift at the prospect. “Heavens, yes. That would be wonderful. I could use some of your mom’s home cooking.”
Even though Lizzie’s relationship with her mom was strained sometimes—Brenda wanted Lizzie to be a dancer, and Lizzie hated dancing—they got along fairly well. Besides, what girl doesn’t sometimes argue with her mom? Nicole’s relationship with her mother was the weird one. Tiffany had always been controlling, demanding, and picky. She’d expected nothing but perfection from her children, especially Nicole.
Lizzie plugged in earbuds and Nicole decided to do some reading on her phone. She could use some entertainment.
Several hours later, the girls pulled up in a rental car in front of Lizzie’s house. It was a pretty, all-brick, two-story place with roses growing on either side of the sidewalk. Lizzie practically skipped to the door and rang the doorbell, turning and giving Nicole a mischievous grin.
Brenda answered, her brown hair in a messy bun and wearing an apron. She squealed, hands over her mouth. She didn’t give Lizzie a chance to say anything, though, before she’d yanked her daughter to herself in a big hug.
“Where on earth did you come from?” she shrieked.
“Do you want a technical answer to that?” Lizzie asked, her voice muffled.
Brenda chuckled. “No, thanks. Oh, Lizzie, I’m so glad you came.” She stepped around her daughter and opened her arms for Nicole. “So good to see you too, sweetie.”
“Same.”
“Have you stopped by your house yet?”
“No, I’ll be heading there soon.”
“What a shame. It’s fun having you around.” Brenda motioned for Nicole to enter. “Come have some pumpkin bread. It’s fresh.”
Nicole’s mouth watered as she caught a whiff of the spiced bread. She followed Brenda to the kitchen while Lizzie took her suitcase upstairs to her room.
Brenda cut a couple of slices and set them in front of Nicole on a paper plate, then got her a glass of milk. “Your mom still have a stick up her butt?”
Nicole’s jaw dropped. “Brenda! Wow. I can see you’ve been learning new vocabulary.”
Brenda waved her off. “Lizzie’s brother is home from college, you know.”
“Landen’s finally done?”
Brenda beamed. “No, he has another year. It’s Hugh. Hugh graduated.”
“What? How? Didn’t he just start a year and a half ago?”
A pair of muscular arms encircled Nicole’s shoulders from behind. “I sure did!” Hugh said. “You know I was taking college classes in high school.”
Nicole jumped up and gave him a big hug. “Congratulations! That’s fantastic. I’m so proud of you.”
Hugh’s freckled features turned red, matching his hair, and he shoved his hands in his pockets, rocking back on his feet. “Yeah, it’s really cool being able to say I’m a college grad now.” He glanced around. “Where’s my baby sister?”
“Upstairs, probably unpacking,” Brenda said.
“Okay! Gonna go say hi. Then I’ll be back.” He winked at Nicole and dashed off.
Nicole turned back to Brenda, grinning. “He’s still the same.”
“Ever the flirt? Yeah. He gets it from his dad.”
Nicole leveled a smile at Brenda. “And who does Lizzie get her flirting skills from?”
Brenda fanned her face. “Me, of course.”
The two laughed together and Nicole relaxed into her chair. It felt so good being back home. And yes, this place was home. Lizzie’s house had always felt more like that to Nicole than her own place. These people definitely were family.
“He’s getting married, you know,” Brenda said, sitting next to Nicole at the table. She ticked items off her fingers. “His goals—go to college, meet girl, graduate from college, marry girl. He only needs to marry her, and then he’ll be all set.”
“Congratulations to him!” Nicole finished one slice of bread and started the other. “What did he graduate in?”
“Agriculture. He’s going to take over his uncle’s farm.”
Nicole nodded. “I’m sure he’ll be a blessing to your brother.”
“Most definitely.” Brenda got up and refilled Nicole’s glass, then sat down again.
They continued chatting, Brenda getting Nicole caught up on who was doing what. Pretty soon, Hugh and Lizzie joined them, and Hugh told Nicole and Lizzie all about his fiancée, who would be arriving the following day.
After a while, Nicole pushed back from the table. “I’d better get going. I’ll be disowned from the family if I don’t let them know I’m home.”
“Tell Derek I’m still single,” Lizzie said, walking Nicole to the front door.
“Will do.” Nicole laughed. “I’ll text you later.”
***
Nicole hesitated before entering her house. She wished she could’ve warned her mother that she was coming home—Tiffany hated surprises. But no one answered the phone, and Tiffany never, ever read text messages.
Rather than go through the family entrance near the garages, Nicole let herself in through the double front doors. She shut them behind her and leaned against them, staring at the vast entryway. White marble floors, pillars, and staircases were dotted with red paintings, red rugs, and stained-glass windows.
It really was beautiful.
Unfortunately, Nicole had never been able to enjoy it. Not in the customary ways, anyway. Tiffany never allowed parties or friends over, and Dad’s business always made him bring work home. The saying “Children will be seen and not heard” was oft quoted, especially when he had a huge project to complete.
Taking a deep breath, Nicole decided to put her things in her bedroom first. She took the stairs on the right-hand side, then walked down the hall to the end door. She opened it and stepped inside, breathing a sigh of relief. Her room had been untouched.
Rather than go with the dashes of bright red amidst the crisp white and black decor, Nicole had chosen turquoise and tan accents. They relaxed her, made her feel more comfortable. As a result, Tiffany kept the door to Nicole’s room shut. That suited Nicole just fine.
After setting her luggage on the settee at the foot of her king-sized bed, Nicole took off her jacket and laid it across the comforter and removed her shoes, tucking them just under her bed. Then, steeling herself for the inevitable reunion, she padded out of her room and down the hall and stairs.
She checked Tiffany’s office first. Empty. Dad’s office was empty as well, which meant they were probably in the basement watching a movie.
That floor was vacant too, though, so Nicole decided to check her parents’ bedroom. It was at the opposite end of the house from hers. She hiked back up two flights of stairs and knocked on their door.
“Enter,” Tiffany sang out.
Nicole opened the door and stepped inside.
“Nicole!” Tiffany said, looking up from a couch in the sitting area of her room. “When did you arrive?”
“Just now.” Nicole didn’t move from the doorway. “Where’s Dad?”
“Shaving.”
Neither said
anything for a moment. Finally, Tiffany set down her novel and stood, approaching Nicole.
“You look unwell. Starved. Thin. And there are dark circles under your eyes.” She grabbed Nicole’s chin, staring at her. “Aren’t you sleeping or eating?”
“Things have been pretty stressful, Mother.”
“I’ll have Emily put something together for you immediately.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Oh. Did you stop by Lizzie’s house, then?”
“Of course. Lizzie came home with me.”
“Very well.” Mother motioned for Nicole to follow her. “Come say hello to your father.”
Nicole followed Tiffany to the bathroom.
“Rough night, Dad?” Nicole asked once she’d stepped inside.
“Mmhmmm,” he said, wiping away the extra shaving cream.
The only time Nicole’s dad shaved in the middle of the day was when he’d been up all night, working over some corporate problem. He must’ve only been awake for an hour or two, even though it was five in the afternoon.
Dad washed his hands, then turned and gave Nicole a hug. “Good to see you, Cole.”
Nicole smiled at the nickname. Dad was the only one who called her that, and he had for as long as she could remember.
“Anyone else here yet?” Nicole asked.
Tiffany nodded. “Yes, but only Derek. Paul and his new wife will be coming soon.”
Paul and his “new wife” had been married for three years. Nicole decided not to bring up that point yet again. Tiffany would probably always call her the new wife. At least until someone else got married.
“How’s school?” Dad asked as he and Tiffany returned to the sitting room and took their places. Mother always sat in the loveseat with her feet tucked under her—funny how it was okay for her to sit that way, but not Nicole—and Dad sat in the overstuffed recliner that was directed toward the big-screen TV on the wall.
Nicole sat in the armchair near the couch and grabbed a throw blanket from the basket next to her chair, laying it over her lap.
“Well, I’m not enrolled right now.”
Tiffany gasped. “Why not? What happened? Did you flunk out?”
Nicole shook her head. “Of course not. Last time we talked, I told you I was going on an expedition. Well, I had to drop my classes for it.” She raised her hand, calming her mother’s coming outburst. “Don’t worry, the expedition was a credit-earning one. I haven’t jeopardized my schooling. Anyway, I’ll be in classes again the beginning of next year.”
“How was the expedition?” Dad asked, leafing through a stack of papers.
Nicole shrugged. “Exciting. Thrilling. Life-changing. Dangerous. All that a university-led expedition can be.”
“Good, good.” Dad peered at her over his reading glasses. “Have you chosen a major yet?” He hesitated. “It’s not going to be an . . . Arete-directed one, is it?”
Nicole sighed inwardly. “I’m hoping it will be, actually. But I’m still undecided. I plan to take general ed classes this year, then make some decisions during the summer.”
“Excellent.” He set down his papers. “Don’t forget that I could put in a good word for you over at McCombs.”
Nicole smiled. “I need a bachelor’s degree to apply to business school, Dad.”
He shrugged. “They might make an exception for me.”
Nicole got up and gave her dad another hug. “Thanks, but I’d like to finish up at Katon first. Then we can talk.”
He patted her arm and returned to his papers. Dad had always been friendly but never knew what was going on in Nicole’s life. He wasn’t as threatened by Nicole as Mother was, but he never backed her up when Tiffany went on one of her tirades.
“I’m going to find Derek,” Nicole said.
Tiffany didn’t look up from her novel. “He’s in the game room.”
Nicole thanked her, then left, finding Derek where Mother said he’d be. This was Nicole’s favorite room in the house, outside of the music room and her own bedroom. They had pool, foosball, and air hockey tables set up, along with several places where they could play games or eat or read or do whatever they wanted.
Derek was lounging in a recliner next to the fireplace, flipping through a graphic novel.
“Hey, Derek,” Nicole said, sitting across from him.
“Hey.”
He didn’t look up for several moments, and Nicole knew better than to interrupt him. By nature, he was very focused, and wouldn’t be able to concentrate on her until he’d finished what he was doing.
Finally, he set his book aside and got up to give her a hug. “I’ve missed you, sis.”
“Same. How’s law school?”
He shrugged. “I’m almost done now.”
“Still planning on going into adoptions and estate planning?”
“Definitely.”
“Tiffany and Dad still annoyed at you for that?”
Derek gave her a mischievous grin. “Of course—and I like keeping it that way.” He put a hand to his forehead and mimicked their mother. “Oh, Derek, how we wish you’d go into business. Or at least respectable law.”
Nicole laughed, then sobered up. “I wish you could come up and see me sometime.”
“I will, I promise. For now, though, I need to maintain my speed. I’ve only got a year left.” He leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees. “Not to change the subject—I’m fine talking about law school—but between you and me, it’s been miserable being at home the past two days.”
“How come?”
“Tiffany. And even Dad. They’ve got something up their sleeves. Her especially.”
“Like what?”
“Tiffany’s been really weird. She’s talking a lot about ancestors and the duty of our family and all of that. Don’t be surprised if she pulls out some family history books.”
Nicole shrugged. “She’s always done that.”
“I know, but this time, it’s different. It’s weird.”
“Thanks for the heads-up—I appreciate it. Oh, and before I forget . . .” Nicole sent her brother a sly look. “Lizzie says she’s still single.”
Derek laughed out loud, slapping his knee. “Oh, that girl. Good ol’ Lizzie. Tell her I’m still single too . . .”
“She’ll be happy to hear that.”
“. . . but that my heart belongs to someone else right now . . .”
“What?”
“. . . though I’ll keep Lizzie in mind if things don’t work out.”
“Are you serious? You’re in a relationship?”
“Sure am!”
Derek grinned at Nicole and she felt her heart swell. He’d always been shy and introverted, and it had been a long time since he’d been in a relationship. Nicole really hoped it would work out. He got along well with Lizzie—partially because she was Nicole’s best friend—but their playful banter wouldn’t ever develop into anything more.
“Tell me about her.”
Derek settled back in his chair. “She’s smart. And beautiful. You’ll like her.”
“When do I get to meet her? This week?”
He shook his head. “She’s back east with her family.”
“Too bad.”
Just then, Tiffany popped her head in the door. “Paul and his new wife are here. Come upstairs and chat.”
Nicole met Derek’s gaze and they both sighed.
“Guess we’d better go,” Derek said.
“Guess so.”
Paul and Julia were the least like Derek and Nicole in the family. They brownnosed Nicole’s mother all the time and were very judgmental of anyone who wasn’t like them. Unfortunately for them, just because they sought Tiffany’s approval didn’t mean they got it. She was just as critical of them as she was of her other children.
Paul was removing Julia’s coat when Nicole and Derek got upstairs. Rather than approach them immediately, Nicole leaned against the wall and looked into the mud room, where they proceeded to take off t
heir shoes while chatting with Dad about their flight in from Maine.
“When is Chase getting here?” Derek asked Nicole.
She shrugged. “Soon, I hope.”
Once Paul and Julia had finished, they strode past Nicole and into the family room that joined with the kitchen. Nicole and Derek followed slowly, taking seats.
Watching Paul and his wife talk to Tiffany and Dad had always been an eye-opening experience. Paul was so much like Mother, it made Nicole nervous. He was manipulative, a perfectionist, and critical. His wife didn’t seem to mind, but then, she had a really mean streak and could dish out her own variety of cruelty.
The doorbell rang and Mother got up to answer. Moments later, she returned, carrying several pizza boxes. Nicole raised her eyebrow. Tiffany ordered pizza? Since when?
Mother must have noticed more shocked expressions than just Nicole’s. “I let Emily have the night off. I thought we could all enjoy one another’s company.” She looked at her watch. “Chase should be here soon. We’ll eat when he arrives.”
Nicole pulled out her phone and texted Chase. He had a habit of arriving an hour or two late. His response came fast—he’d be there in five minutes.
“He’s almost here,” Nicole said.
Tiffany nodded. “Good. I did my math right. He said he’d be here an hour ago.”
Nicole couldn’t help but smile at that. She wasn’t the only one who’d learned to work around Chase’s frequent late arrivals.
Chase and Derek easily were Nicole’s favorite siblings, though Derek usually came out on top. Chase was easily distracted from everything, including relationships. But he was so easygoing and open, it was difficult not to care about him.
Dinner was a quiet, casual affair. Paul and Julia updated everyone on their goings on. Paul was applying for McCombs soon, and Julia was busy working toward her interior design degree.
Chase had another girlfriend—that wasn’t anything special, since he had a new one every few months—but Derek dating someone definitely caused heads to turn.
Perceive, Mosaic Chronicles Book Three Page 13