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Hopscotch

The kids were out for recess. Chelsea and Lynn were playing hopscotch with one of Chelsea’s bright blue hair twisties as a marker.

“Did you ask if Aunt Ivy could come over?”

“Yep. She didn’t say no. She doesn’t know your mom’s number.”

“That’s okay. Aunt Ivy doesn’t want to be in a dog show.” Chelsea hopped along the squares and bent over to pick up the blue elastic band from the 7 block.

“Dog show?”

“That’s what she said.”

“Grownups are weird.”

Chelsea laughed at that. “Did your uncle find a friend yet?”

“Mom had her friend over last night.” Lynn took her turn, hopping in the squares and picking up the marker.

“Did he like her?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“He asked her what she does and she threw up all over him.”

“Ew!” Chelsea lost her balance and tumbled out of the hopscotch outline.

“It was so gross.”

“Why did she do that?”

“I think she was nervous. She was saying all kinds of crazy stuff before he got there.”

“Well, I don’t think Aunt Ivy would do that.”

“I hope not. Doesn’t she like dogs?” Lynn threw the hair twisty on the 8. It almost bounced out.

“Everybody likes dogs. She said that people don’t do it like that.”

“Like what?” Lynn was hopping.

“Like she’s trying out for a part in a play or something.”

“What are they supposed to do?”

“She didn’t say. Just not that.”

“I guess not. Look how it turned out.” Lynn got back to the 8 and picked up the marker.

“Yeah.”

“See if you can find out the right way. Maybe we can get him to do that.”

“Okay, I’ll ask her again. She said she’s happy being alone.” Chelsea threw her twisty to the center of the 8 block and set off.

“That’s dumb. Who wants to be alone?”

“She does everything alone.”

“Really?”

“Mm-hmm. She’s an artist like you.” She picked up the hair twisty on the way back.

“That’s neat. Is she good?”

“She does books and posters and stuff.”

“Cooool. I want to be like her when I grow up, but not the alone stuff.” She threw the hair twisty to the 9 block, but it bounced out.

“I don’t think she really means it. She just didn’t want to be in a girlfriend contest.”

“When you say it like that, it does sound dumb.” She retrieved the twisty and handed it to Chelsea.
“Up and at ‘em.” Holly said, opening the guest room blinds with a remote.

“What’s the matter with you?”

“I need to run to the store.”

“So run.” Ivy rolled over and pulled the blanket over her head.

“Ivy, it’s already after ten. Pull yourself together so we can go shopping.”

“Go away.”

“My house. My rules. Get up, sleepyhead. We’ve got shopping to do.”

“You’re not going to leave me alone. Are you?”

“Not a chance. Go get a shower and get dressed before I dump a bucket of suds over you.”

Ivy groaned as she squirmed out of the bed. “It’s always about you. Isn’t it?”

“What kind of a crack is that? What kind of a sister would I be if I let you sleep until lunchtime?”

“Best sister ever.” Ivy rubbed her eyes. “That would be awesome.”

“Well, I win best sister then. I let you do that yesterday. Get up. I need you to come shopping with me.”

“Alright. Give me a minute already.” She flung a pillow at her sister.

Holly darted out of the room and shut the door.
The Zavijava had a steady stream of customers, but it wasn’t nearly as crowded as the last time the sisters were there.

“How about him?”

“Too old. Is this what you meant by shopping?”

“Not exactly. I do have to pick some things up.”

“Well, a brother-in-law isn’t one of them. Stop trying.”

“I just want you to-”

“Have what you have? You’re crying your eyes out over what you have, Holly. What’s the matter with you and Frank, anyway?”

“He’s just stressed out from work.”

“Nice story, but I’m not buying it. Work stress doesn’t make him accuse you of maxing out your card or wrecking the car. How did he get like that? He was always so nice.”

“I don’t know. I think he’ll lighten up if I can actually get him to stop talking and let me tell him about Frank Jr.”

“Yeah, because babies don’t add stress to an already tense situation.”

Holly’s eyes welled up and she sobbed into a napkin.

“Seriously, though. You’re going to have to figure out what’s eating Frank and fix it before you drop a baby on him.”

“But I don’t know why he’s so grumpy, Ivy. He hasn’t been in a good mood for ages.”

“When did it start, exactly?”

“I don’t know. It’s been going on for such a long time.”

“And you thought having a baby would make things better?”

“It’s not like I planned it.”

“It’s a surprise? You’ve got two already. I’m pretty sure you know how this works.”

“What about him?”

“I don’t like his hair. Holly, what is actually going on here? Are you picking guys you think I will like or just the guys you’re interested in?”

“What?”

“Hello, I remember high school. I know what your types are. You had a new boyfriend every week, and they all fell into certain categories.”

“That’s not true.”

“That’s absolutely, true. If you weren’t married with kids, you’d be bed-hopping with him and him and him and him. Oh my God, Holly. Is it even Frank’s?”

“What kind of question is that?”

“I’m serious, Holly. Is that why Frank is being mean to you? I know what kind of a flirt you used to be.”

Holly grabbed onto Ivy’s wrists and squeezed hard. “Of course, it’s his. Keep your voice down. Don’t say that about me again.”

“Let go. We’re not at Grammy’s and you can’t bully me anymore.” Ivy stared into Holly’s bloodshot eyes. “I’m asking because I know you better than you know yourself. Is this kid going to look like the masseur at the spa or the towel boy at the gym?”

“No. It’s Frank’s.”

Ivy yanked her wrists from her sister’s grip. “Well, it had better be. I don’t know what you did to tick him off, but you’d better figure out what it is and fix it before you tell him about the big surprise. He’s likely to ask you the very same questions.” She felt bad about confronting her sister, but at least it got her off the topic of trying to set her up with every guy in the cafe.