Free Her Mother's Daughter by Lesley Crewe Page A

Alaska.”
    â€œI’ll make spaghetti.”
    â€œYou’re too stubborn for your own good.”
    Later that afternoon when all was quiet, Bay called the garage.
    â€œIrving.”
    â€œHi, Dermot. It’s me.”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œWould you like to come over for supper tonight?”
    There was a long silence. “Sorry, Bay. I have plans tonight.”
    â€œOh, of course. Well, another time, perhaps.”
    â€œRight. See ya.” He hung up.
    Bay looked at her cellphone because she couldn’t believe it. He blew her off, just like that. She put the phone in her purse and walked out to the small mirror in the back room. She looked long and hard at herself. Hazel eyes and pretty heart-shaped face, freckles across the bridge of her nose. She looked tired, but maybe if she put her hair up and tried some makeup…
    The thought that Dermot was fed up with her made her stomach knot. Dermot not being there was something that had never occurred to her, and the fact that it hadn’t made her feel worse. She was the last person on earth who should take people for granted, since she knew only too well how fleeting life could be.
    She needed to smarten up.
    About everything.

    Rain was falling when Bay left work. Before she closed up for the night, Tansy’s car appeared in front of the post office. Bay ran to it and hopped in.
    â€œI knew you’d get soaked, walking home in this,” Tansy said.
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œWant to go out for supper? My treat.”
    Bay leaned her head back against the car seat. “That would be great, actually.” She looked over at her sister. “I’m glad you’re here, you know. Sorry I’ve been difficult.”
    Tansy smiled and looked over her shoulder before she drove into the street. “That’s okay.”
    Bay looked out the side window. The rhythm of the wipers soothed her.
    â€œAre you all right, Bay? I mean, do you feel okay?”
    Bay watched the passing scenery, the familiar houses and stores of the town she grew up in. She knew it like the back of her hand, which was a blessing and a curse.
    â€œI don’t know if I feel anything.”
    â€œAnd how long has this been going on?”
    â€œSince Mom died…I miss her.”
    â€œGod forbid I sound like an old busybody, but you should see a doctor.”
    Bay swivelled her head to look at her sister. “What for?”
    â€œI think you’re depressed.”
    â€œNonsense. I’m sad, that’s all. Aren’t I allowed to be sad?”
    â€œYes, Bay. You’re allowed to be sad, but believe it or not, you’re also allowed to be happy.”
    Bay didn’t say anything, so Tansy continued. “If not for your sake, then for Ashley’s. It hurts her to see you like this.”
    â€œSo now you’re an expert on Ashley. That didn’t take long.”
    Tansy pulled up to the house and parked in the driveway. “I’ve got eyes, haven’t I? Look, let’s drop it. Run in and get Ashley and she can decide where we’ll eat.”
    Bay nodded, got out of the car, and disappeared around the corner. She went into the kitchen and hollered for her. A muffled “What?” came from the bedroom. Bay went to the bottom of the stairs.
    â€œDo you want to go out for supper?”
    â€œSure, can Matt come too?”
    â€œYeah, we’ll pick him up.”
    Ashley and Matt appeared at the top of the stairs. “You won’t have to. He’s here.”
    Bay gave her a look and Ashley gave her one back. Bay’s look said You know how I feel about Matt in your room and Ashley’s said Lighten up, why do you always think the worst?
    When Matt passed her on the stairs, he gave her a quick smile and rushed by, as if afraid she’d reach out and grab him by the collar.
    â€œYou better call your mom and tell her we’ll bring you home after dinner.”
    â€œOkay, thanks.” He