Page 101 of The Addendum

“Yet, here you are.”

“I didn’t ask to get a viewing,” I protested.

“Hmm,” was her reply.

“Your sister offered.”

“She’s your sister too,” Grace snapped.

We all froze.

Heather held up her hands. “Listen, you two. If you’d stop snipping at each other for a moment, I’d appreciate that.” She shook her head, running her hand through her hair. “You know I’m in an awkward position here.”

We looked at her in confusion.

“I like you a lot, Ashley. We had started to become good friends. And Grace, you know I love you. You’re my friend and my big sister. Nothing will ever change that. And now, so are you, Ashley. The fact that the two of you seem to dislike each other puts me in the middle. Can we not try to get along? Find some common ground?”

“I’m not sure we have anything in common,” I replied.

“Sure we do. We have our father.”

“No,” I retorted. “You have your father. I’m not part of that equation.”

“Well, if you’d stop being such a bitch, you could be,” Grace snapped.

“Gracie!” Heather gasped.

I ignored her, focusing on Grace. “Excuse me, you’re not exactly Ms. Congeniality yourself.”

“At least I’m trying.”

“I’d hardly call this trying.”

“I’d hardly call the way you’re acting warm and friendly either.”

“Stop it,” Heather hissed. “Both of you. Are you listening to yourselves? Jesus, you sound like Dad arguing with himself.”

Heather and I glared at each other, and my phone rang, interrupting our silent standoff. I glanced down, frowning.

“Sorry, I have to take this.”

I walked away, answering the phone. Ten minutes later, I returned to the table, furious and barely able to speak.

“I have to go.”

“Are you okay?” Heather asked.

“Your father—” I began, then stopped.

Grace narrowed her eyes. “He’s your father too. You can’t move forward if you don’t accept it. Are you always this stubborn?”

“Yeah,” I snarled. “I get it from Daddy.”

I grabbed my purse and walked away.

* * *

Moments later, I flung open my car door and marched up to Richard’s house. I rapped on the door, waiting until it was opened. Katy looked surprised to see me but smiled in welcome.