Holding Pattern by Maggie Friedenberg

Author:Maggie Friedenberg [Friedenberg, Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sandy Toes Press
Published: 2022-04-08T11:01:00+00:00

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Natalie parked her car about a mile from the mall entrance, wondering for the millionth time why she had agreed to meet her sisters here. She hated shopping, especially at this time of year. Too many people, too hot inside the stores, too much fake cheerfulness. Still, it was a rare chance to spend time with just her sisters. Maybe it would be a good day.

She met Christine in the mall, and gave her a hug. “Lisa running late?”

“Of course.” Christine rolled her eyes. “We missed you at Thanksgiving.”

“I’m sorry.” The guilt was instant.

Christine shook her head. “Oh, no, I didn’t mean—” She put a hand up as if to stop herself. “I sound like Mom, don’t I?”

“Little bit.”

“Sorry. What I meant to say was, how was Atlanta?”

Natalie laughed. “It was nice. The food was amazing. The city is beautiful.”

“What about Richard’s family? What are they like?”

“They’re great. I love his daughters.”

“How old are they?”

“Seventeen and thirteen.”

“Oh, seventeen,” Christine said, a wistful look on her face. “Don’t you wish sometimes you could go back in time?”

Natalie laughed, surprised. Perfect, hyper-organized, supermom Christine never dreamed of being a teenager again, did she?

Lisa showed up a few minutes later, looking flustered. “Sorry, guys.” She gave them each a quick hug. “I’m exhausted. Callie was whiny about Daddy taking her to dance class, George is mad I’m going out, it was a whole thing.” She looked at Natalie. “We missed you at Thanksgiving.”

“Stop.” Christine put her hand up again. “No channeling Mom today.”

They all laughed.

They shopped for a few hours and then went to a restaurant outside the mall for lunch. Christine and Natalie each ordered a glass of wine.

“No fair,” Lisa pouted. “Okay, I’m going to order two desserts and not even give you guys a bite.”

“You do what you need to do.” Natalie laughed and clinked her glass against Christine’s.

“This is great, I’m almost done shopping.” Christine double-checked her list after they ordered their food. “Just a couple more things for Maddie and something for Kevin, and I’m done.”

“Show-off,” Lisa said. “I still have to figure out what to get George.”

“Why are men the hardest to buy for? I have no idea what to get for Richard,” Natalie chimed in.

Christine and Lisa exchanged a quick look. “Well, what is he into?” Christine asked.

“Guy stuff. Fishing. Watching football. He travels a lot for work.”

Lisa used her straw to stir sugar into her iced tea. “What do you think he’s getting you?”

“No idea,” Natalie answered. “He’s good at picking out gifts, though.”

Christine and Lisa looked at one another again.

“Hey, you know what would be great? If you guys didn’t make those faces at each other every time I mention my boyfriend.”

“Sorry, Nat,” Lisa said. She looked at Christine.

Christine glared at Lisa. “Sorry.”

“Thanks.”

Christine took a sip of her wine. “How serious are you and Richard?”

Lisa looked at Christine. “I thought we decided not to talk about this.”

“Wait,” Natalie said. “You guys discussed whether to talk to me about Richard.”

“I’m curious. I thought we both were,” Christine said.

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