Chapter 2

The next morning, I return for the client files I need for work.

Daniel asked last night when I would come back. I told him ten and made it clear I was only collecting my things.

Melissa's car is already outside.

She and Ruth sit at the breakfast table while Daniel stands beside the coffee machine. He glances at the laptop case on my shoulder.

"You could work here."

I keep walking, then stop beside the refrigerator.

Our family calendar hangs beneath an airplane magnet. Daniel's flights are marked in blue. On Friday, a thick black line runs through my green writing.

[Oregon. Sophie and me.]

Underneath, Daniel has written:

[6 a.m. Melissa airport.]

"You crossed out our trip."

"After changing the tickets. I needed to keep track."

Melissa pulls a receipt from her shopping bag.

"Don't blame him for everything. He told me last Saturday you could drive us. I thought you two had discussed it."

My hand goes still.

The cancellation confirmation is dated Monday.

But on Saturday night, I sat across from Daniel wrapping Mom's scarf. I asked whether the color would suit her. He said yes and handed me the scissors.

"You promised her before you canceled anything."

Daniel sets down his coffee.

"I knew you could rearrange."

I look at the black line through Sophie's name.

"You watched me wrap Mom's present! You handed me the scissors!"

His jaw tightens.

"I wasn't stopping you from taking it another time."

Ruth reaches past me for the refrigerator, forcing me aside.

"Move, Elise. The milk's getting warm."

I let go of the calendar and photograph it.

Daniel frowns.

"What are you doing?"

"Keeping track of what you arrange for me."

Melissa folds the receipt between her fingers.

"This is my fault. I shouldn't have asked my brother for help."

"I never agreed to drive you."

"I know. I'll tell the boys the plan changed. They've just been looking forward to it."

Ruth immediately puts an arm around her.

"There. Are you happy now?"

I almost remind her that Sophie has grandparents waiting too.

Instead, I stop.

I am tired of explaining why we should count.

Daniel takes Melissa's receipt.

"I'll book a car."

His voice is gentle with her. When he looks at me, it hardens again.

"Satisfied?"

"No. But I'm not driving."

I go upstairs for my client files, charger, and medicine.

Pulling a folder from the shelf catches the bruise along my side. I stop until the pain settles.

Nobody comes up to help.

Back at Beth's, Sophie helps me compare flights.

Thursday is cheaper, but we have to change planes in Denver. We check her return to college and my client schedule. Both still work.

"You don't have to use your savings," she says.

I calculate the bills again.

The new tickets will leave much less in my account than I planned, but I enter both passenger names.

"I can cover it. Check your information."

When the confirmation arrives, I forward her ticket.

Then I call Dad and write our new arrival time in my travel notebook.

Daniel calls before I finish.

I speak to Dad first, then answer.

I can hear Melissa in the background.

Daniel does not ask about my bruise or Sophie.

"You bought new tickets."

"Yes."

"Then the problem is solved," he says. "But before you leave, you're going to apologize to my sister."