Chapter 2 #2
I find my sister in the kitchen as her house manager sets the table.
Maggie loves to cook, and she’s good at it too; one thing she learned from our mom.
You couldn’t pay my oldest sister Sarah to cook, she dislikes being in the kitchen.
Our mom realized this early and didn’t push her to be in the kitchen.
Unfortunately, she died before I was old enough to decide if I wanted to try it.
Well, I’ve lived alone and fed myself just fine without issue.
I do love visiting Maggie and Cara because I'm sure to eat meals like our mom’s cooking.
My sister is obsessed with two things, my niece and her cooking.
Which means I always get the best meal whenever I visit.
Now with Ms K in the mix, I might stay a few days less to avoid showing my slight obsession with her, though I still want to know everything about her for Cara and Maggie.
Liar.
Maggie calls out to Cara to wrap up her piano playing and come over for dinner. I take my place across from Cara. Maggie sits at the head of the table.
My sister and Cara’s father are divorced.
Luckily, it wasn’t a bitter divorce. Nathan was a reasonable guy, his only request was he wanted his daughter to live in Chicago, so he could spend time with her.
Maggie requested the divorce which Nathan was originally fighting against. He gave up and agreed to my sister's terms as long as Cara lives in Chicago. There wasn’t a need for their divorce except the fact my sister was paranoid about everything since my niece was born and she refused to have another child, much as Nathan wanted another one and Maggie was unwilling to bend her rules, which led to constant fights.
Nathan had insisted on therapy for Maggie because, truth be told, my sister was spiraling.
I’m glad the therapy is working, she’s getting better.
And Cara gets to see her dad often, which is a win-win.
My sister brings the roasted half chicken with garlic, shallots, rosemary, lemon and olive oil, served with roasted potatoes and a side of sautéed spinach.
The smell hits my nostrils and the room.
Cara beams, because her mom just made our favorite dish.
I sit back ready to devour the food and enjoy my time with my niece.
We soon start eating and Cara is talking non-stop about school and the fact she doesn’t want to travel with her dad this year because she wants to spend more time practicing with Miss K.
There it is, just when I think I’ve managed to block her out of my mind, she invades my whole being with just the mention of her name. Makayla Kuti. Woman I can’t get out of my head.
“You would miss the trip with your dad for music lessons?” I ask, making sure not to mention her name.
“It’s not just lessons, it’s lessons with Ms K. I can’t afford to miss it, and if I leave, Ms K might fill my time with someone else, then I have to get another teacher that I don’t like and I just might quit music forever and that would break my heart,” she whines. “Can you please talk to my dad?”
Great, I have to be a mediator for my niece too. I turn to my sister, hoping for her to jump in, but she just ignores me. It almost feels like this was a set up.
“What if I pay Ms K to keep your spot so you can go and spend time with your dad?”
“You can’t do that.” She shakes her head.
“Your dad misses you and he’s looking forward to spending time with you.”
“I miss him too, but we can do stuff every weekend,” she argues. “Besides, Ms K won’t take your money to hold my spot.”
“Why don’t you let me speak to Ms K?”
“No, just speak with my dad, please Uncle Dan,” she whines in between bites of her food.
“How about I speak with both of them, and we can work something out?”
She relaxes.
“Thanks, Uncle Dan.” She smiles, like she had just won a case against me.
“Finish your food and go to your room,” Maggie says to Cara, who turns to me for help.
“I’ll stop by for a few minutes,” I say to her, which earns me a bright smile.
Once Cara is out of ear shot, I turn my attention to my sister. “What’s really going on?”
She sighs.
“Honestly, she’s just happy with Ms K.”
I search my sister’s body language for her usual tells that she didn’t plan this need for me to be a mediator and come up empty.
“Nathan is not going to like this at all.” I complain as Maggie nods
“I have asked Miss K if she can teach her at her dad’s place, but she can’t, she says it is too far away. Turns out Ms K doesn’t like to travel far from the city.”
I nod, even as a part of me is glad Ms K won’t be going to Nathan’s place and will instead be at my sister’s where I can continue my silent obsession.
“This is not good, and she says Ms K won’t hold her spot.”
“Ms K is highly sought-after; Cara’s spot will be replaced right away. It is more about the teaching for Ms K, and not the money.”
Great, she’s a noble teacher. On the bright side, I need to find a way to keep her all summer so I can see her. I can’t believe how determined I am to see her.
“I’ll talk to Nathan, but you are going to have to work with him on this. It would require commitment from both of you to work this out.”
“I’m willing, if it makes my daughter happy,” my sister says.
I nod.
That much I know, my sister will move heaven and earth to make my niece happy.
“I’ll have to speak with Ms K first before I speak with Nathan.”
“Okay, she will be here on Saturday.” A part of me is excited about seeing her soon, but forty-eight hours feels too long. Maybe it’s just what I need to clear her out of my mind. Who am I kidding, I haven’t been able to get her out of my mind since the wedding.
“Please, let me know when Cara is ready for me to read to her,” I say, getting up. Maggie nods, as I walk past her, heading to the study.
In the study, I pour myself a drink and watch the amber liquid swirl in the glass.
I shouldn't care about Ms K's personal life.
It's unprofessional, inappropriate even.
And yet—does she have a boyfriend? How old is she?
Would he treat her the way she deserves?
" Just how is it your business to know if her boyfriend is worthy?
" whispers the voice of reason. "I'm just concerned for her wellbeing," I mutter, unconvinced by my own flimsy excuse.
"Yet. You're jealous of a man you've never met or may not exist. "I drain the glass in one burning swallow. "Maybe I am worthy of her," I whisper, then immediately shake my head. "I’m fucking worthy and I’m fucking claiming her.”