Page 57 of Remiss

“How about I ask for a truce on your behalf, sweetheart?” Aunt Zoann said. “At dinner. Bygones are bygones while we’re here.”

“I-I’d like that, although I don’t think Rebel will agree.”

“She probably won’t. You hurt CJ terribly, but you also hurt Roxy and Mortician.”

“I understand.”

“Why don’t we do our nails later or tomorrow? We can go downstairs and help out in the kitchen.”

“Mommie usually allows the staff to prepare our meals while we’re here,” Harley said. “Don’t you remember last summer?”

“I do, but we want to do it. When I came up here, they were pulling out wine glasses. If Rebel and Mattie have a glass, would you like me to call Bailey and ask permission for you to have a little?”

“She won’t care. She won’t let me come back home.”

“You hurt her.”

“I hurt Daddy, too.”

“You did, and he didn’t deserve that. I don’t sanction you putting your hands on your mother or your grandmother nor do I like the disrespect, but you gave Bailey a taste of her own medicine. Karma is a motherfucker when it’s served piping hot, while the bullshit you gave out is still fresh on everyone’s minds.”

“I figured you ran off to Harley, sugar,” Lolly said, walking into the room, holding a wine glass.

“Everyone was downstairs except Harley,” Aunt Zoann said.

“We can use the extra hand, Zoann,” Lolly said, still not looking at Harley. “Go downstairs. We’ll be down in a minute.”

“I’ll save you a spot right next to me, Harley,” Aunt Zoann promised, and left her alone with her grandmother.

Eyeing her, Lolly sipped from her wine. “Vacation over from your Land of Bitch?”

Harley swallowed.

“Wasn’t too much fun there, was it?”

“No. I’m sorry–”

Lolly raised a hand and halted Harley. “Apologies are easy. They are just words. The truth comes with your actions.”

“I’m trying to be the old me again, Lolly.”

She snorted. “Child, don’t take a fucking step backwards. I’m not interested in the old you. I’m interested in the new and improved you. The one who learned from her fucking mistakes. The only fucking time you look back is when you want to reminisce,notto recapture shit best left in the past.”

“But everyone hates me.”

“No one hates you, Harley. Least of all me. If I hated you, I wouldn’t have been so devastated by your behavior.

“A-Axel told me to playShake It Off,” she said, not knowing how to respond. Her grandmother didn’t want her apology. “He wanted me to listen to the words and follow the advice.”

Setting her glass on the nightstand, Lolly smiled and walked to the window, her bare feet sinking into the carpet. “At the moment, he’s downstairs in a corner of the kitchen, rolling dough for rolls.” She shook her head and laughed. “Flour is everywhere, including on him and Winnie.”

Harley chuckled. “Why is he doing that?”

“He says he wants to contribute to the meal as the man of the house.”

“Oh.”

“It’s such a beautiful view.” Lolly turned and faced her. “The ballroom I met your granddaddy in is long gone, but every time I set foot in this place, I have memories I would love to forget.”