Between Sisters

THE NEXT MORNING, THE WEATHER IN HAYDEN WAS perfect. A bright sun rode high in the cornflower blue, cloudless sky. A thin, cooling breeze rustled through the trees, making music on the deep green maple leaves. By five o’clock, Claire was ready to begin dressing. The problem was, she couldn’t move.

Behind her, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” she said, thankful for the distraction.

Meghann stood in the doorway, holding a pile of plastic-sheathed dresses. She looked nervous, uncharacteristically uncertain. “I thought maybe we’d get dressed together. ” When Claire didn’t answer instantly, Meghann said, “You probably think it’s a stupid idea. ” She backed out of the room.

“Stop. I think it would be great. ”

“You do?”

“Yeah. I just need to shower. ”

“Me, too. I’ll meet you back here in ten minutes. ”

True to her word, Meghann was back in ten minutes, wearing a towel around her naked body. Once inside the room, she changed into a bra and panties, then dried her hair and fashioned it into a beautiful French twist.

“That looks great,” Claire said.

“I could do your hair if you’d like. ”

“Really?”

“Sure. I did it all the time when you were little. ”

Claire didn’t remember that, and yet she crossed the room and automatically knelt in front of the bed.

Meghann settled in behind her, began brushing her hair. She hummed as she worked.

Claire closed her eyes. It felt so good to have someone brushing her hair.

It came to her then, floating on the lullaby of her sister’s humming, a memory.

You’ll be the prettiest girl in all of Barstow kindergarten, Claire-Bear. I’ll put this pink ribbon all through your braids and it’ll protect you.

Like a magic ribbon?

Yes. Just exactly like that. Now sit still and let me finish.

“You did do my hair when I was little. ”

The hairbrush paused, then began stroking again. “Yes. ”

“I wish I remembered more of those years. ”

“I wish I remembered less. ”

Claire didn’t know what to say to that, so she changed the subject. “Have you heard from Mama?”

“No. I left three messages yesterday. Her houseboy told me she’d call back at a better time. ”

“There’s no point getting mad at her. She is who she is. ”

“Yeah. A has-been actress and a never-was mother. ”

Claire laughed. “She’d debate ‘has-been actress’ with you. ”

“That’s true. After all, she’s done Shakespeare in Cleveland. There. All done. ”