Iris arched a brow. “Because it was obvious I wasn’t going to advance there.”
“At least you had a steady income.” Rose threw up her arms. “You could pay your bills. You had health insurance, life insurance, a retirement account and sick days. You won’t be able to stay home when you’re sick now.”
“I rarely used my sick days when I had them.”
“Here.” Lily forced a soup bowl into Rose’s hands, then crossed back to the counter.
“But at least you had them.” Rose remained focused on Iris.
“That’s fine for you to say.” Iris gestured toward her sister. “People at your company respect you and your experience.”
“You have to pay your dues, Iris.”
“Pay my dues?” Her head was going to pop off her neck. “I’d been with RGB for six years. Meanwhile, new employees were coming in without my experience and leapfrogging over me up the corporate ladder, getting more money and more seniority, while I was doing all the work.”
“So you bit off your nose to spite your face.”
“What are you talking about?” Is Rose even hearing me?
“Rather than stay and fight, you jeopardized your career and your financial security. Meanwhile, the people you were trying to get even with will be fine.”
“This isn’t about revenge.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’d been fighting for six years, Rose.” Iris crossed her arms. “It was clear I wasn’t going to win that war.”
“Here.” Lily shoved the stew at Iris.
Iris took the bowl. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to eat my dinner in peace.” Lily carried her stew and ice water toward the dining room.
“You’re just going to leave us?” Iris frowned at Lily’s back.
Her middle sister turned to face her. “Do you think it’s fun for me, listening to the two of you argue all the time? Why do we have these family dinners if it’s not to enjoy what’s left of our family?”
Iris glanced at Rose. “I—”
“It’s just us.” Lily sounded tired. “Dad’s been dead almost three years. Mom died less than a year ago. I’m in this house, surrounded by happy memories of our past. Then you two come in and shout them down. I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m not going to do this anymore. Eat your food, then leave.”
Iris’s skin heated with shame as Lily walked away. “She seems pissed.”
“Yes, she does.”
“She never gets pissed.”
“No, she doesn’t.” Rose sighed. “And she’s right. We’re lucky to have each other. We shouldn’t forget that.”
Iris nodded. “We should apologize to her.”
“Let’s do it.”
Iris squared her shoulders, then led the way into the dining room. Lily sat alone at the table set for three. Iris took the seat at the place setting across from her. Rose settled beside Iris. Lily ignored them.
Iris waited a beat. “I’m so sorry, Lil.”
“So am I.” Rose’s voice was soft, contrite.