Page 80 of In Too Hard

There was an awkward silence and I could see Stick clench his hands, as if making fists. I felt Billy fidget next to me, and a small “Jesus,” escaped under his breath.

But Jane, Jane who had learned a thing or two about diplomacy this past summer on the campaign trail (where she’d helped her father win), while still staying true to herself, stood up, and walked the few steps across the small living room to where Billy and I sat.

“Let me see yours,” she said, holding her hand out. I gave her my piece of paper. “Envelope too,” she said and I complied. She took a cursory glance at them, not even being able to read them as I’d handed them to her face down.

“Oh, Lily,” Jane said, not looking behind her at Lily. “You beautiful, beautiful fool.” As Lily was saying “Hey!” Jane continued. “You got Syd’s and mine mixed up.” She handed me her paper and envelope, clearly labeled “Jane” on the front. “Here Syd, this one was yours. You had mine.” She turned and waltzed back to the large, overstuffed chair she shared with Stick. Sitting on his lap, she slung an arm around his shoulders. “See, just a mix-up. All is right with the world.”

Everybody smiled and then outright laughed.

“Yeah, that sounds a lot more like it,” Billy said as he wrapped an arm around me and pulled me close to his side. “I have definitely begged Syd for more at times.”

We all laughed, and the party went on until the three of us girls decided to call it a night.

And go home with the men we loved.

Indeed, all was right with the world.

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