Page 42 of Husband to Go

“Hi Tanner.” We stand there taking one another in. My sister looks really good actually, with her tanned skin and short, cropped blonde hair. All I ever wanted was for her to have a good life and for a while, that seemed like a pipe dream. After I left, Lacey fell in with a bad crowd and got into drugs and crime. It was only a matter of time before the law caught up with her, and she spent some time behind bars.

But that’s all over now. Since then, Lacey’s become an upstanding citizen, gotten married, and adopted my nephew Jason. She’s a secretary at a local real estate firm, and although we’re not really in touch, I hope she’s found peace in the intervening years.

“Do you want to come inside?” she motions. I nod and step into her house. It’s unremarkable, with a huge overstuffed couch on one end and a giant boxy TV on the other. There are pictures and knickknacks lying about, giving the space a homey touch.

Lacey leads me to the kitchen. The aroma of freshly baked chocolate cookies hits my nose and my stomach growls involuntarily.

She laughs.

“I was hoping I could finish making these cookies before you got here, but they need a few more minutes. I have tea, though. Or milk, if you want it?”

I grin.

“I’ll take some tea.” I’m not really thirsty or hungry, but I know this is Lacey’s way of keeping calm. She probably has a lot of questions.

My sister pours us both a mug and takes a seat across from me. I’m not sure where to start or what to say. I’ve never been any good at confiding in anyone, and my sister is no exception.

“So, how is everything?” she asks.

“It’s fine. Nothing much, you know with work and all. Oh, I’m engaged. I guess I should mention that.”

“Really?” she eyes me. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. What’s her name?”

“Veronica Mitchell. She’s a real estate agent.”

Lacey whistles, her pale blue eyes speculative.

“Wow, I never thought the day would come when my big brother got married. You must really love this woman.” If only she knew. Well, that’s why I’m here: to lay out my troubles. I take a deep breath.

“Well, actually Lace, that’s what I came here to talk about. I wanted to get your advice on something.”

“Really?” she asks, her eyebrows practically flying off her forehead. “My advice? I’m surprised.”

I try not to wince.

“I know it’s been a long time, but just hear me out, okay?”

She slowly takes a sip of her tea and nods. I know this isn’t at all what she was expecting because I’ve never asked my little sister for advice on anything. I’ve been going about life all on my own for so long that now that she doesn’t expect anything.

Lacey puts her mug down and fully focuses on me.

“Ask away, big bro. I’m happy to be of service.”

I nod, taking another deep breath.

“So, I’m supposed to marry Veronica pretty soon, and it was fine. We weren’t … ah, how do you put it? A love connection. But over the past couple of weeks, I met someone else. It was totally unexpected and came from nowhere, but I’m in it now. I’m beginning to question whether or not I should go through with this wedding. In fact, I’m beginning to questionallthe choices I’ve made regarding my love life,” is my wry remark.

Lacey squints at me.

“Do you love this other person?”

I sigh.

“That’s just it. I don’t know. I care for them deeply, and I like being with them, but I have this whole thing going on with her mother –”

“Hermother?” Lacey interrupts me. Shit! I didn’t want to reveal that small fact. During this entire affair, I’ve been able to keep things quiet, but now with my sister, it’s all coming out.

I nod grimly.