“I’m not ready to move tomorrow.”
“I’m not asking you to.”
“I’m still pretty committed to that.”
We sat at the kitchen table and gave “temporary” an actual shape.
Kayla would keep applying for jobs. Once she had income, she’d contribute something small. We’d revisit the room listings together and choose a realistic move-out date.
“And no more tests,” I warned.
Andrew walked in carrying groceries.
“And no more tests.”
“That should probably be a universal rule.”
Kayla pointed at him.
“Nobody asked you.”
“He’s allowed to speak in his own kitchen.”
Andrew set the bags down.
“Thank you, Amanda.”
Kayla rolled her eyes, but there was no fight behind it.
“He’s allowed to speak in his own kitchen.”
Then Andrew looked at me.
“And next time something affects both of us, I won’t hide behind ‘she’s your sister.'”
“Good.”
Kayla groaned.
“Are you two going to become emotionally healthy right in front of me?”
“Probably,” Andrew said. “You can move out if it’s unbearable.”
“I won’t hide behind ‘she’s your sister.'”
She threw a dish towel at him.
***
The next morning, I heard the shower before seven.
Andrew was drinking coffee when footsteps came down the stairs.
He glanced at me.
I glanced back.
Kayla entered wearing the ancient blue robe from our linen closet.
Kayla entered wearing the ancient blue robe.
It had faded ducks across the pockets and one sleeve slightly shorter than the other.
She went straight to the coffee maker.
Andrew said nothing.
Neither did I.
Kayla reached toward the bag of coffee beans Andrew ordered online.
“Can I use these?”
Andrew said nothing.
Andrew looked over the top of his mug.
“Yeah.”
“Thanks.”
That was it.
No announcement.
No apology tour.
Just a question she’d never thought she needed to ask before.
That was it.
Then Kayla opened the high cabinet.
The filters were on the top shelf.
She stretched.
Missed.
Andrew started to stand.
Kayla pointed at him.
“Sit.”
He sat.
Andrew started to stand.
She dragged over a kitchen chair, climbed one step, and grabbed the filters herself.
When she stepped down, she caught me smiling.
