Almost a Family

Molly didn’t miss the wistful note in her sister’s voice. “You miss being home, don’t you?”

Kim leaned over and kissed Sara’s warm curls. “Of course I do. I miss my own bed and I miss real food and all that. Not to mention my little muffin here.”

“Any news on when we can spring you out of here?”

Kim shook her head. “Doctor says close to another week. My incision isn’t healing as he’d like, and I’m still on pretty strong meds for the ribs and the headaches.”

Kim looked down at Sara, who had snuck another cookie from the bag. “Here, sweetie,” she said, placing her headphoneson Sara’s ears and then changing the channel to cartoons. Sara looked up in wonderment, then glued her eyes to the screen.

“So how’s Jason?”

“I wouldn’t know.” Molly’s mouth pursed up like she’d sucked on a pickle. She was trying to avoid thinking about their last fight. She’d done pretty well with that, too. At least ten minutes at a time now.

“Trouble in paradise?” Kim smiled cutely, snickering at Molly’s sour look.

“You’re enjoying this far too much.”

“Hey, I have nothing else to entertain me. I’m bored to death. What’s going on?”

“He’s mad because he didn’t get to save the day.”

Kim chuckled. “You two have always been insanely stubborn. Never able to see the other side of things.”

“What do you mean?” How much did Kim really know about why they’d broken things off? Had Jason confided in her? Considering how close they seemed to be, it was highly likely. Molly studied her sister curiously. Would Kim lay the blame on her the same as Jason did?

“Why do you think I asked you to come? I could have made other arrangements for Sara. It’s been six years since you left to do your law degree, and you still won’t talk about him. Someone had to get the two of you together long enough to resolve things.”

Molly bristled. “That’s not your place.”

Kim continued, undaunted. “He’s lived next door to me for two years, ever since he opened the clinic. I know for a f

act he’s never gotten over what happened between you. He refuses to talk about you, and even when I bring up something, like how you got your new job or moved to a new apartment, he changes the subject.”

“So?”

Kim sighed. “You broke it off and left. You never talked to each other about it. You just left things hanging. I know he wanted to marry you. I see him with Sara. He wants a home with a wife and a family of his own. He can’t have that until he moves on from you.”

“So you set us up?” Molly leaned forward in her chair, her elbows on her knees, trying not to think about the warm feelings that accompanied the fact that Jason still held a torch. “How could you do that?”

Kim shook her head. “You think I planned to get myself nearly killed and spend weeks in the hospital just to get you two to talk? For God’s sake, Molly. The other driver died.”

Molly blushed. Knowing now what had happened and seeing how affected by it Jason had been, she knew her accusation didn’t hold water. “Of course not. I’m sorry I said that.”

“Don’t be too sorry.” Kim chuckled softly. “Once I came out of the anesthesia, I wasn’t about to waste an opportunity. You needed to come home. I needed help. Jason needs closure. I know neither one of you had that after you left.”

“He told you that?”

Kim offered a lopsided smile. “It’s not rocket science, kiddo.” Her face clouded for a moment as if she were remembering something, then cleared. “Jason did confide in me once about your breakup. It hit him hard. It hit you hard too, even though you wouldn’t admit it. I want to see things made right, that’s all.”

“At least you’re not matchmaking.” Molly relaxed, then narrowed her eyes as Kim looked away.

“Kiiiim?” She drew out her sister’s name in warning.

“Well, would it be so bad?” her sister defended. “You both still care for each other. I’d like to have my only family closer.”

“Oh, for Pete’s sake,” Molly breathed, frustrated. “I have my own life, he has his. That ship has so sailed.”

“Isn’t there some middle ground?”