Four Wishes

Meade studied the bottle of vodka then returned it to the shelf. “What I’d give for a martini.”

The comment put Mary on alert. Something was wrong. “Go ahead and have a drink,” she said, sliding onto a barstool. “You’ve certainly earned it.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

On the couch, Birdie reclined fully and kicked off her tennis shoes. “Have you sworn off Hector and booze?” she asked tartly. “Putting yourself in a convent won’t help Daddy. Why don’t you loosen up?”

“Stop baiting me.”

“I will, in a moment.” Birdie pounded a throw pillow into submission and stuck it behind her head. “First, I want to know why you’re pushing Hector away. You’ve been snitty to him since Daddy’s stroke. I’ve never seen him this blue. Are you on the outs?”

“It’s none of your business.”

Needing to intercede, Mary hopped off the barstool and went to Meade. Looping her arm around her friend’s waist, she led her to the couch opposite of Birdie.

After they were both seated, Mary said, “Talk to us.” She threw a warning look at Birdie. “No one is attacking you. We’re asking why you’re upset.”

Briefly Meade closed her eyes. “I should’ve known.”

Mary patted her knee. “Known what?”

“How sick Daddy was. I feel like . . . it’s hard to explain. I guess I feel negligent in some basic way. Why didn’t I do something, take him for a check-up or notice he wasn’t feeling well? He’s my responsibility. I’ve been too wrapped up in my own life.” She heaved out a breath thick with regret. “I let him down.”

“A stroke isn’t a predictable event. There’s nothing you could’ve done.”

“I don’t believe that.”

The pain etched in the comment erased the irritation from Birdie’s face. In a contrite voice, she said, “Geez, sis. Is that why you’re taking it out on Hector? You think you failed Daddy?”

Not the most diplomatic comment, and Meade grimaced. “I was having enough trouble juggling a romance with the demands of my job,” she admitted. “Now Daddy’s ill, seriously ill, and we have a long road ahead. He needs me, Birdie. He loves you too, but he doesn’t expect you to take care of him. It’s different for me.”

“You’ve brought in a nurse, and he has Reenie too. You don’t have to do everything.”

“I need to supervise them, ensure he’s well cared for.”

“Supervise.” Birdie drew out the word with distaste. “Do you ever give yourself a break? Leave Reenie in charge tonight and go to Hector. Make love for hours in his RV. Forget your troubles and stay over. Wake up in his arms.”

Mary put in, “They’ve decided to wait for intimacy.”

“We didn’t wait.”

The disclosure put all eyes on Meade. Her expression churning, she dropped her hands to her lap. She wasn’t comfortable revealing the most private details of her life, certainly not with her younger sister. They’d only been acquainted for one, short year. While they’d grown closer, they rarely shared confidences. They didn’t share the rapport Meade enjoyed with Mary.

At last Meade said, “We made love the day of Daddy’s stroke.” At Mary’s surprise, she added, “Yes, I remember what we talked about at your office. I didn’t initiate, I swear. It was Hector’s idea. I thought we were having a picnic like usual. He changed the agenda.”

Birdie scrambled into a sitting position. “And?”

“It was wonderful.”

“Talk about mixed signals. You go the distance then push him away. What’s he supposed to think?”

“Birdie, I have no idea. I can’t think about Hector when Daddy is in such bad shape. What am I supposed to do? Plan a wedding between Daddy’s visits to physical therapy? What about my career? Next Wednesday I’m scheduled to fly to Atlanta. I’m meeting with the architect and vetting construction companies. My life is more complicated than yours. Why can’t you understand?”

Birdie huffed at the barb, but Mary’s attention hung on the impassioned speech. “Would you like to marry?” she asked. “Hector does care for you deeply. If you want my opinion, you’re perfectly suited for each other.”

Confusion lowered Meade’s gaze to her lap.