Susie never smiled so much. The history baked into the walls made being back home and being happy feel like a contradiction. Not even Tim’s drama could get her down. A healthy relationship with Mary once existed barely in her dreams. To add to the joy, her book only needed a few more chapters. The novel evolved, beginning as an attempt to malign Mary and force payment for her sins. But, as life unfolded, the novel went from being a blatant attack to a carefully crafted, unique tale remotely related to the family drama. Writing the story became therapeutic and helped her work through issues in her own life as she created and fleshed out the characters. Some issues, like the mother-daughter relationship, were a work in progress while others needed TLC—like her and Phoenix’s relationship. Susie was a loner and perfectly fine with few relationships and rarely sought to build more. Phoenix was forced on her—an annoying surprise. But, the child grew and didn’t turn out so bad. Thank the Watcher her personality was more social otherwise their relationship wouldn’t exist. If Mary and Susie could become friends, surely befriending Phoenix would be a walk in the park.
Phoenix should have arrived home an hour ago, and Susie grew impatient. The most brilliant idea came to mind around lunch time, and she wanted to share it in person.
“Hey. Where are you?”
“Oh, Susie! You’ll never guess what happened! They asked me to do a comedy special! On TV!! This is BIG. Really big!”
“Are you serious?”
“As serious as the triple threat! Oh, I gotta go. They’re ready for me wish me luck byye!”
Wow. Her not-so-little sister conquered the world in her own weird way. Comedy wasn’t really Susie’s thing either, but she was a wee bit proud.
Later that night, when Phoenix got home, Susie presented her plan for the evening. “Let’s hang out!”
Phoenix’s eyes glazed over like Susie asked about woohoo or something. “You want to hang out. With me. In public…”
“Don’t be so dramatic, Phoenix. Tonight is Night On the Town. We should go.”
She stared blankly.
“Seriously, Phoenix? It’s free food and drinks!”
She snapped out of the daze. “Oh! You could have lead with that!”
“Whatever. Wanna go to H.I.P. Pizza?”
“Ugh! You’re so lame! We can go there anytime. Put on your good dress. I’m picking the restaurant!”
Susie snickered as she sauntered back to her room. Phoenix was so easy; she halfway regretted ignoring her all those years.
Within an hour, they arrived at the swankiest restaurant in Brindleton Bay. Mary and John gave Susie and Tim the world and whet her appetite for all things posh. Even with her predisposition to fancy tastes, that restaurant was never on her radar. Phoenix grew up normal and could still be amazed; Susie envied her upbringing.
“I will have a glass of your finest nectar, and–OH–lamb chops! Gotta go with the chops.”
“Excellent choice. And for you, madame?”
“I’ll have a glass of the same and a caprese salad.”
“Splendid. I shall return shortly.”
Phoenix rolled her eyes. “Why are you so booooriiiiiing? Mom makes caprese salad all the time! Live a little! It’s FREE!”
Susie chuckled at her moxie. “What can I say? I like what I like.”
“Ugh. So boring. Even if it weren’t free, we’re uber rich now!”
She had been uber rich before. Twice, actually. Mary’s windfall only excited her because of the brownie points she earned. “Correction. Mother is uber rich now.”
Phoenix sucked her teeth. “Same difference. You know she’s gonna hook us up, eventually. We’re her little darlings.”
Laughing with Phoenix reminded her of the lack of gaiety in her life. It felt great. No wonder Phoenix found comedy so attractive. They said laughter was the best medicine, but Susie remained doubtful. At best, it was a great placebo.
“So, uhh, how’s your book coming along?”
Susie’s head bobbed. “Almost done. Can’t believe it, actually. I’ve been working on it for so long, it’ll feel weird not to have something to pour myself into.”
Phoenix smiled admirably. “I guess you’ll have to write a sequel or something. Ooh! A Series. The Jones Legacy. It could go on forever!”
As much as she loved to write, a never-ending book series was too much pressure. But, she appreciated her sister’s enthusiasm. That level of interest was scarce in non-writers.
“Here we are, ladies,” the server said. “Enjoy.”
“Ahhhh! Caprese salad!”
“Ugh! You’re so lame.”
They’re cute together!
They are! I’m glad PHX is so easy going. The whole night could have gone so differently!
Phoenix is so funny .. Mom MIGHT give them the hook up but then again she and Reed might see things a bit differently now
That’s so true. The hook up will probably come with conditions or restrictions lol.
Nothing is ever free .. it all comes with a price
Mmhmm!
I’m sure PHX is right that Mary will hook her little darlings up. LOLOL
I enjoyed this immensely. It feels like they are the sisters they could have been a long time ago. And, I’m excited at how Susie’s book has changed and grown with her. I’m sure it will be a hit!
I feel that way too. I feel like because Susie is so much older, it’s easy for her to forget she has a sister because she lived for quite sometime without her vs. PHX always had a sister. The relationship wasn’t always the best, but she’s always been open to it, you know?
Yeah, I can totally see that. I like how this is developing. It leaves positive vibes for the future. 😀
Yes!