Lessons From the Professor

“What are you doing here?” she asked. Carissa jumped as she stepped inside, and tossed the carpet bag she’d been holding to the floor.

“Oh, hey, Sissy. I figured you’d be asleep about now.”

I bet. She crossed her arms, ignoring Carissa’s weak attempt at distraction.

“Turns out I’m not. Why are you here?”

“Mom and I got into it again, and I just thought I could use some space. I mean you’re just up here in the condo by yourself, and I figured you could use the company.”

“Come on in,” Sutton said. “What were you guys arguing about now?”

“The usual, who I’m dating, What I’m going to do with my life, yada ,yada , yada.”

“Why is she asking you that? I thought you were working as an office assistant at the salon and finishing up your second semester of school.”

“Well, classes are done for the semester, and I really didn’t like the receptionist job, so I quit.”

“Carissa!”

“What? I’ll find something before school starts again.”

“Does Mom at least know where you are?”

“I’m sure.”

“Call her. She doesn’t need to be up late worrying about you.”

“Fine.”

Sutton rolled her eyes as she locked the front door and kicked the duffle bag to the side as Carissa pulled out her cell phone. They had all babied Carissa growing up, and now they were paying for it. Her friends always told her she needed to practice tough love, but she felt so responsible for Carissa it was easier said than done. Carissa had missed out on a lot growing up with their mother always at work and no real memories of their father. Sutton headed into the kitchen to make a mug of hot cocoa as she listened to muffled conversation taking place a few feet away.

By the time she had the mug ready and loaded down with marshmallows, Carissa had made her way back into the kitchen.

“She just doesn’t understand that I’m young, and I want to have fun,” Carissa said. Her voice was huffy as she pouted and wrapped her hands around the mug Sutton slid toward her.

“Mom just wants what’s best for you Carissa.”

“No, she wants me to be a carbon copy of her. Not everyone can be like you two. All business and no play would make me a very dull girl indeed. I plan on living life to the fullest while I’m still young enough to do it.”

Sutton frowned as she removed her cup of hot cocoa out of the microwave.

“I have fun, and I’m thirty-one, hardly ancient.”

“Umm yeah, like once in a blue moon. Face it, Sutton. Your life revolves around work. Which may be fine for you, but it isn’t the kind of life I want. When’s the last time you went on a date, or got laid for that matter?”

“That’s a really personal question.”

“Wow, that long,” Carissa said with a roll of her eyes.

Sutton fought down a twinge of hurt. If her sister knew the truth, she’d never let her live it down.

“Be nice. You are staying in my condo.”

“Ooh you know I love you, Sissy,” Carissa said. A toothy grin spread across her lips as she moved over to hug her.

“Yeah, yeah,” Sutton said.

Carissa always knew how to worm her way out of things. Sutton grabbed her mug as she headed over to the breakfast bar and slipped onto her high back stool. She loved everything about her condo, but the view out of the picture window from this position was one of her absolute favorites.