I’d like to take a moment here to note that when I told Melissa about my new purchase, she didn’t even congratulate me. She actually said, “Oh…,” like it was an unpleasant surprise, but now she wanted to borrow it. “Your car,” she repeated, like I had forgotten I owned one.
“Come on, Rach. You know my car is falling apart. I also can’t fit Lily’s friends, gifts, and all the other birthday necessities.
It was the way she said it that got me.
Like I had already agreed. Like it was obvious. “Melissa,” I said slowly, “it’s brand-new, and I’ve barely had it a month.
I don’t feel comfortable, and I don’t think—”
“Oh, don’t be dramatic,” she snapped. “Lily is your favorite, isn’t she? You love her, so, obviously, you’ll say yes.”
When she heard me trying to protest, she continued, “You’re seriously going to say no?
On Lily’s birthday? God, Rachel. What kind of aunt are you?”
I could feel the guilt creeping in again.
I thought of Lily’s little voice asking why Auntie wasn’t there. Melissa was playing me, and I knew it, but I also knew I wouldn’t win. Not with Lily caught in the middle.
Be careful. No food, no mess, and no funny business.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she said, waving it off. “I got it.
I’m not a teenager.”Continue reading…
