Between Sisters

“Thank God,” he said, wishing he meant it.

He shut the water off and dried his hands. Slowly, he went to the mantel and stood in front of a picture of Diana. In it, she stood at the base of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, waving at him. She was smiling brightly.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, touching the glass.

The phone rang, startling him.

He knew who it was, of course. “Hey, Gina,” he answered, reaching for his work gloves.

“Hey, big brother. I know it’s late notice, but I’m having a rehearsal dinner at my house tonight. I thought you might like to come. ”

A rehearsal dinner. Prelude to a wedding. “Sorry, no. ”

“It’s for Claire Cavenaugh. She’s finally getting married. ”

Joe closed his eyes, remembering Claire. “I’m sorry, Gigi,” he said at last. “I can’t do that. ” The only thing worse than celebrating a marriage would be walking into a hospital.

“I understand, Joey. Really. I’ll call you next week. ”

Claire sat in the doctor’s waiting room, reading the newest issue of People magazine. There it was, a picture of her mother in some city park, surrounded by fans dressed in full space-traveler regalia. The caption read: Eliana Sullivan mobbed by fans on the twenty-fifth anniversary of Starbase IV’s first show.

“Oh, please. I had better Halloween costumes in second grade. ”

“What, Mommy?”

Claire smiled down at her daughter, who sat cross-legged on the taupe-colored carpet, playing with a Cat in the Hat doll. “Nothing, honey. ”

“Oh. How much longer? I’m hungry. ”

“Not much longer. Dr. Roloff is busy with people who are really sick. You saw Sammy Chan go in—he has a broken arm. ”

Alison frowned. “You’re not sick, right?”

“Of course not. This is my yearly appointment. You always come with me. ”

“Yeah. ” Ali went back to playing.

A few minutes later, the receptionist—Monica Lundberg—came out into the waiting room. As always, she looked beautiful, this time in a pale celery-colored sundress. “Doctor will see you now. ”

Claire looked down at Alison. “Stay right here, honey. I’ll be right back. ”

“I’ll watch her,” Monica said. “You go on into room four. ”

“Thanks. ” Claire went down the hallway and turned into the last room on the left.

“Hey, Claire, how’re the wedding plans going?”

She smiled at Bess, the

nurse who had worked for Dr. Roloff for as long as anyone could remember.

“Great. We’re having something simple. ”

“Of course you are. ” Bess took Claire’s blood pressure and temperature. “Good blood pressure, kiddo. You must be living right. ” She took a quick blood sample, then burrowed through the cupboard over the sink and withdrew a plastic specimen cup. “You know the drill. Leave a sample in the door in the rest room. Doctor will be in as soon as he can. ”

“Thanks, Bess. ”

Bess winked. “See you tomorrow. Bye. ” And she was gone.