Page 6 of Make or Break

She began talking, but instead of listening, I went downstairs to the parking lot.

On the way home from Mom’s house, Sarah turned the radio volume down. “You never told me you’re rich.”

I fought against the sour taste building in my mouth and kept my eyes on the road. “Because I’m not.”

From the corner of my eye, in the dim light from the highway lamps, I saw her turn her head to me. “That house is basically two houses joined together right on the river with a pool, a dock, and a boat.”

She was not wrong in her real estate description. Before Dad’s death, he’d had visions for that property - one of those visions was to give him and Mom enough space to retire in absolute comfort. Another vision was creating a safe haven where his grandkids would love to spend their summer days learning to fish, whether on the boat or from the dock.

“My name isn’t on the deed.”

“Yes, but why not take me there to meet your family eight months ago?”

She’d met Mom at my niece’s birthday party. My sister thought it would be easier for Mom and Sarah to meet at her house –– less pressure and plenty of cake.

“We lost Dad two years ago, and this is the first time Mom’s been up to having the whole family at her place.”

Sarah put her hand on my thigh. “Right. I’m sorry. You’re in pain.”

I let her think that. If she were attuned to my mood, she’d know I was fuming. My mind kept replaying my niece and nephew speeding out of the house with huge grins on their faces. Only those grins deflated like blown tires when they saw us get out of Sarah’s car.

“Uncle Ron! We wanna ride on your Harley,” Matthew said.

“Mommy got us a helmet,” Marjorie said.

I’d picked up Marjorie in one arm and used my other hand to tousle Matthew’s hair. “Sorry, kiddos. We had to take the car today.”

Their disappointment hit me like a spiked mace to my gut.

Yeah, I hated myself for not standing firm on riding the bike. Sarah didn’t realize my silence saved her from getting a piece of my mind.

“Do you and Brandy get it all, or do you have another sibling I haven’t met?” Sarah asked.

This was a side of her I didn’t want to see. However, most women showed their true colors after meeting my parents.

I gripped the steering wheel harder. “Does that matter? Mom’s in her seventies. She’s healthy now, but there are no guarantees in life. She may have to sell it all to afford a nursing home or some shit.”

“Ron—”

“Don’t.”

She didn’t exactly sigh, but she exhaled hard through her nose.

I veered onto Blanding Boulevard. “It’s not my house. It isn’t my money.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I was insensitive and tacky. Can you forgive me?”

“Yeah,” I said and put my hand on her thigh.

Even to my ears, that one word didn’t ring true.

Friday morning, I saw a text from my sister asking me to call her.

“Why didn’t you ride to Mom’s?” Brandy asked.

“Is this why you wanted to talk?” I asked.

“You weren’t there when I had to put my kids to bed. They pleaded with me to find out why you didn’t ride to Mimi’s house on your Hawley as Marjorie says.”