Page 123 of Cuts like a Knife
“She was downstairs. In the, like, atrium? Where the big round information desk is. Shouting at the nurse or whatever. They wouldn’t let her up. They wouldn’t let me up, actually. I sort of snuck in.”
“Oh, you’re fine. It’s just Marla who isn’t allowed. All the nurses knows. There’s a big fat note in my file about her, specifically. After that crazy grandma shower stuff—”
“Absolutely bizarre,” interjects Di.
“Yeah, well, my blood pressure shot up. So she’s definitely a factor. She’s half the reason I’m here.”
“That’s awful, Claire,” I say. “I’m really sorry.”
“It’s fine. I’m not going to deal with her. But, Adam, you should.”
“She’s your mother,” says Di.
“Right, so you go down and get rid of her, please,” says Claire.
“Right. Of course. Sorry, babe. She’s gone. I’m going right now.” Adam kisses the top of her head and hustles out of the room.
“You shouldn’t have to tell him to do things like that,” Di says. “He should do them without being asked.”
Claire sighs. “I know. It’s a work in progress. But he’s trying. We’re both stressed about the baby. After what happened last time, it’s hard to be here like this. Sometimes he needs a little prompting, but he’s willing to do the right thing now. Anyway! I’m really fine. Lex, tell us everything! Tell us about the glitterati and the hotel and everything. I can’t believe you were just in the Bahamas!”
“I can’t either.”
“So? Spill!”
As I look between my older sister’s faces, I realize something: waiting for the other shoe to drop hasn’t been working for me. Being …reactionary hasn’t been working.
When did I become this passive person? I was an activist. I wasn’t afraid to speak up. I wasn’t afraid of the truth. That person is still inside me somewhere. She has to be. I just need to let her out.
“Well…” I say. “I was on a luxury yacht last night.”
“Ugh. Jealous!”
“You say that now, but just wait. I sort of … jumped off. It’s a long story. And it’s not really about the Bahamas. I’ll tell you the whole thing, but it’s going to take awhile,” I say.
Here goes.
Chapter Thirty Two
“Anyway, that’s it The whole story.”
Diana and Claire are staring at me, their faces blank. I’ve been talking for a long time. I’m not sure how long exactly, but I’ve told them everything. About being fired. About why I was fired. About how I was hired. Even about Drew.
“I knew something was going on between you two. I knew it!” Claire crows.
“Was is the operative word. I don’t think it is anymore. We’re finally done. He was pretty mad, last night and this morning352.”
Claire waves me off. “Drew is a forgiving guy. Just apologize. It’ll be fine.”
“You don’t think it’s weird? He’s so much younger than me.”
“A few years! Who cares?”
“I used to babysit for him!”
“You did not,” interjects Diana.
“I did! When we were kids, Mom told me, I was in charge of them. I was their babysitter.”
