Tender Hearts

Chapter 2-2

I shook my head. “No. She just said that there was a misunderstanding and things were said in the heat of the moment, and I guess they both took it to heart.”

“She hasn’t told me anything either. I guess it wouldn’t matter if she did, because actions speak louder than words.” I watched her brow slowly furrow, deep in thought.

“After four years though, I just don’t get it. There’s a piece of the puzzle missing.”

“Well, Mom, it’s going to be up to them to find it. If they want too. But it sounds like they put the puzzle back in the box, and gave up.”

“Aren’t you clever?” she quipped and stood to walk into the kitchen.

I laughed and followed her to find some popcorn to snack on.

Lily came downstairs about an hour later, looking refreshed and much happier. She was practically skipping into the kitchen and hijacked my popcorn.

“Feeling better, sis?” I asked and took my popcorn back as she was stuffing a handful in her mouth.

“Yes, actually, much better. I should have done that weeks ago. I think I’m going to head back to the apartment. Susie and Kylee are wanting to meet up tonight and go out to eat with a big group,” she said confidently and proceeded to take my popcorn yet again.

“Wow, look at you getting back into it. Who’s all going?” I decided to surrender and just take a handful of popcorn out of the bag. The last thing I wanted to do was sweep up an entire bag of popcorn off the floor.

“I think it’s Susie’s boyfriend, a boy Kylee likes, and some other people. I’m not really sure. They just invited me,” she explained and started eating one piece of popcorn at time, just to annoy me.

“Good for you, Lily… you’ll have fun. Plus, I bet your friends have missed you,” our Mom said and ended the war by grabbing the popcorn and putting it away.

“I’ll head back with you. I have a test tomorrow to study for in chemistry. That class is giving me a run for my money. I would rather write an essay any day than try to figure out chemical reactions,” I reckoned.

I walked over by Mom, and gave her a hug. “Love you, Mom. Did you want me to close for you on Monday?”

“Yes, I do. I signed up for a painting class with some girls from work,” she informed me and I was immediately jealous.

“I want to go to a paint class! Never mind, have Lily close.” I tried to shove the shift onto my sister, who immediately started shaking her head.

“No way! I have a test on Tuesday and was planning to study Monday night. It’s all you, Rosie. You can have fun closing with Brad!”

“Wait, what?” I shrieked. “Brad? The freshmen who wouldn’t stop eating the cookie dough and ended up getting sick? And who thought washing his hands with just water was good enough?”

“Hey, Brad has come a long way!” my mom stated in his defense. “He’s doing much better now, and refuses to actually make the cookie dough now, because of that little incident,” she divulged. “Besides, he called in and said he couldn’t come in, because he has the same test Lily has on Tuesday. So, I put Troy on instead to close with you.”

“Yes!” I said cheerfully. “Troy rocks.”

“Oh, lucky!” Lily was clearly bummed out. “That guy is hilarious! He’s the best employee! I actually have him in my biology class and he’s a c***k up. You should have heard him when we were studying the human body. I was practically rolling on the floor, I was laughing so hard.” Lily started laughing at the memory.

“Sucker!” I teased. “Monday is going to be fun, not to mention he’s fast at closing, so we’ll be out of there in no time!”

“Especially since Brad is closing with you on Tuesday night, Lily,” Mom informed her and I started snickering while I watched Lily’s eyes grow twice their size and her mouth gape.

“No way! I am not closing with him! You did that on purpose!” she accused our mother.

not At this point, I was laughing so hard, I was bending over, clutching my stomach. It was the funniest thing I had heard all day, although Lily thought this wasn’t very nice and attempted to push me over.

“Now, now girls. Lily, I’m closing with you that night, so don’t worry. He needs a little more guidance before I let him close without me. You would end up locking him in the bathroom,” she joked.

“Listen…” Lily began, but instead shrugged. “Yeah, you"re probably right. At least I’m closing with you, so that doesn’t make it near as bad. Where are you going to be, Rosie?”

“I was planning on going grocery shopping, since someone has been eating all the food, and has hardly refused to leave the apartment except go to school,” I hinted and Lily’s head shrunk back.

someone“Oh, yeah, we’re out of a lot of things. Will you grab some more yogurt? I may have eaten all of yours.” She started walking quickly out the door, in a poor attempt to run away.

“Are you kidding me? I just bought those a couple days ago. Is that all you’ve been eating?” I called after her and heard Mom chuckling behind me.

“I sure do miss you girls when you"re gone.” She kissed my cheek. “You better run after her or she’ll leave you.”

“She’ll be the death of me,” I mumbled and followed my rotten sister out the door.