A Sister's Promise (Promises) Read online

  Praise for "A Sister's Promise":

  "Kate's journey is always intriguing, sometimes humorous, and also heartwarming. The plot kept me guessing and I loved the characters."

  —Nicole Green, Author of "Holding her Breath," "Love Out of Order," and "The Davis Years"

  "The books I love have characters that hook me and a voice that strikes a chord with me . . . All in all, 'A Sister's Promise' was a great combination—likeable characters and an interesting plot, along with strong writing."

  —Judy Post, Author of "Horrors! 365 Scary Stories"

  "As a full-time mother who recently gave up a 14 year career to stay home with a baby, this book really spoke to me! I rarely have time to read an internet post let alone an entire novel; yet, I could not put this book down."

  —Rebecca Shoshensky, Amazon Reviewer

  Visit Karen Lenfestey's webpage at karensnovels.weebly.com & check out her semi-humorous "Thoughts on Motherhood" blog.

  You can follow Karen Lenfestey on FaceBook, Twitter and GoodReads.com

  Copyright © to Karen Lenfestey 2010.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Kate could list a million reasons why she didn’t have kids. No, more like reasons why she shouldn’t have kids: genetics, a dysfunctional family, and ultimately, the fear that she wasn’t cut out to be June Cleaver or Carol Brady or Claire Huxtable. TV moms always made it look so easy, but Kate knew better.

  These thoughts usually stayed crammed in the back of her subconscious, but here in the baby section of a musty resale shop, they pushed forward.

  The wooden floor creaked beneath her feet as she watched her sister, Joely, pull a christening gown from the rack. Kate braced herself.

  She didn’t want to argue or debate or whatever it was that they did these days. She just wanted to hang out with her little sister, although she would’ve preferred it if they hadn’t ended up here—in a room, much like their grandmother’s attic, full of vintage dresses, hats and children’s clothes. She could still smell the mothballs.

  Joely tucked a dark curl behind her ear then caressed the antique lace trim around the christening gown’s collar. “Why don’t you and Mitch have a baby?”

  Kate forced a laugh, turned, and almost tripped on a basket of teddy bears.

  “I’m serious,” Joely said. “Your biological clock is ticking so loudly even I can hear it.”

  “I doubt that.” Nothing ticked inside her. Her friends assured her she would wake up one day consumed with baby fever. A part of her had secretly waited, but it never happened (which was probably for the best). Now at the age of thirty-five, she had given up. She felt no inherent need to become a mom, unlike Joely, who had picked out her babies’ names when she was seven. The same year her childhood ended.

  Kate glanced out the leaded glass window at the gray sky, dreading the predicted rain. “Are you done yet?”

  Joely sighed and hung the white dress back on the rack. “I’m just getting started.”

  They took turns stepping over a pile of cracked leather purses to get to the women’s department. Kate wrinkled her nose at the donated shoes—sandals, flats, boots—all in dull shades. She preferred her shoes new, of course, and always with at least a two-inch heel to compensate for her height.

  Joely sorted through a long row of tops. Her face brightened when she discovered a floral-patterned blouse. “These colors remind me of the lilacs I’m painting for my new client. She’s a heart surgeon and appears to have everything—an amazing career, a house decorated with antique furniture, a Jaguar in the garage. . . .”

  She held the material against her chest and gazed into a full-length mirror whose silver had started to flake off. “And yet do you know what she confessed to me? Her biggest regret is that she missed her chance to have children.” She wagged her finger at Kate. “Someday that’s going to be you.”

  “Don’t point your finger at me.” Kate bumped into an accessory display, jingling the necklaces. She tried to settle the chains before shoving her hands in the pockets of her Burberry trench. “My biggest regret is letting you talk me into coming here. I thank God every day that I don’t have to wear second-hand clothes any more. Why don’t you let me take you to Bloomingdale’s?”

  “Because I won’t allow the fashion industry to dictate my style. I’m an original.”

  Kate eyed Joely’s ensemble. She wore a faded denim jacket over a long bohemian-style dress and a pink bandana at her neck. Instead of using a belt, she had tied strands of silver and blue beads around her waist. Because of her statuesque frame, she could pull it off. Kate figured she could pull off just about anything.

  On the other hand, Kate dressed conservatively, today in brown corduroys and a cream cable-knit sweater. At 5’2” with bobbed, honey-blond hair and skin that burned easily in the summer sun, Kate envied her sister’s long, tan legs—among other things.

  Kate’s focus returned to Joely’s waist. “So what are those beads on your belt supposed to mean?”

  Joely smiled, clearly pleased that Kate had taken an interest in her new hobby. “The hematite helps me with memory and the turquoise develops inner strength by healing this life and past life blocks in my chakra.”

  Kate nodded slowly, keeping her lips sealed so she didn’t offend Joely by commenting on how ridiculous she was to believe in such things.

  After a beat of silence, Joely slung the blouse over her forearm and turned back to the other tops, examining each one before sliding them down the rod with a screech. She took a sharp breath, then moaned and massaged her lower back.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Joely’s face contorted. “My back has been killing me lately.”

  Kate suspected Joely’s creative process was to blame. “Maybe you shouldn’t jog so much.” Joely claimed the fast-moving colors and sounds of the city stimulated her imagination.

  Joely shook her head. “I haven’t been running in a long time.”

  “I know why it hurts then.” Kate smirked. “Because you’re getting old.”

  “Ha. Ha. Just remember, no matter how old I am, you’ll always be three years older.”

  Kate nudged Joely.

  “Ow!” Joely rubbed her shoulder for a few seconds.

  Kate rolled her eyes. Her sister could be so dramatic sometimes.

  Joely took a bottle of Aleve out of her purse. She turned the container upside down, but only one tablet came out. “Damn it! I need to stop at the pharmacy on the way home.”

  Kate tapped her watch. “Hurry up then.”

  Joely swallowed the pill then carried the flowered blouse to the checkout. The teenaged girl at the register brushed dishwater blond bangs out of her eyes and rang up the purchase. Joely turned toward Kate. “Are you ready to hit the ice cream shop?”

  “Don’t you think it’s a little too cold?”

  Joely shook her head. “It’s tradition.” She grabbed her bag and headed to the door.

  She was right—whenever they got together they went on an ice cream run. Like the postman, neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor hail, had ever stopped them. But Kate had grown weary of Joely’s agenda. She checked her watch. “I don’t know. . . I promised Mitch I’d be home in time for the 7:00 movie.”

  “Mitch will understand.” Joely put her hand on her hip and tilted her head. “Besides, you have to come. It’s your turn to buy.”

  Kate chewed on her lip. Her husband probably wouldn’t mind it if they missed tonight’s movie
—especially since Kate had chosen one with a mostly female cast, which meant no car chases or slapstick humor. The truth was, he’d no doubt rather stay home and watch one of his Monty Python videos.

  “It won’t take too long,” Joely said. “I’m meeting friends to play euchre tonight.”

  Of course she had plans, too. Joely hadn’t been alone on a Saturday night since she’d learned to drive. Kate worried, though, that lately her sister’s weekend companions tended to be girlfriends more often than dates.

  “Come on,” Joely said.

  Kate did want to end their visit on a high note, but she hated to search for a seat in the darkened theater. Oh, what the heck. They walked outside together. The wind whisked against Kate’s face and she pulled her coat tight around her neck. She felt the cool air creeping in through the button gaps so she hurried down the sidewalk.

  The aroma of homemade waffle cones welcomed her when she opened the Sweet Shoppe’s door. She pulled out her wallet and addressed the lanky boy behind the counter. “I’ll have a low-fat sundae and she’ll have a banana split.”

  Joely nodded approval at Kate’s selection then dropped a few dollars into the March of Dimes collection can. Kate smiled, remembering when her sister was five, that Joely had placed some coins into an envelope addressed to a charity, believing she could feed Luccene, a Haitian boy, for ten cents a day. Kate laughed to herself, thinking the postage their dad had paid probably exceeded Joely’s donation.

  Joely pointed to a nearby booth. “I’m going to sit down.” The teenaged boy’s eyes admired her as she went.

  Once the boy picked up his ice cream scoop and got to work, Kate leaned against the counter and noticed all of the other tables remained vacant. A few minutes later, he set the desserts in front of her, rattling the metal spoons against the glass bowls. Kate took their treats and slid into the seat across from Joely.

  A woman with frizzy black hair entered the restaurant carrying a pink bundle. Joely’s face softened, seeing a baby with lashes so thick she’d never need mascara. Joely caught the baby’s attention and played an animated game of peek-a-boo while the woman ordered a milkshake.

  Joely let out a wistful sigh. “I want to be an aunt.”

  Kate bristled. Enough of this. “Maybe I want to be an aunt.”

  “That’s going to be a little difficult considering it takes two to make a baby. And as you know, I live alone.” Joely pointed toward the cherry crowning Kate’s sundae.

  Kate loved how it shined like a miniature candied apple. She imagined the way its sweetness would burst in her mouth. Then she picked it up by the stem and handed it to Joely, who pulled it from the stem with her teeth. A small sacrifice to make her sister happy.

  “Here’s a crazy idea,” Kate said. “Why don’t you go on a date once in a while?”

  “Hey, I’m trying. You don’t know what it’s like out there.” Joely loosened her bandana, revealing the beauty mark on her neck, which matched a tiny one near her upper lip. It had taken Kate all of junior high to convince Joely not to cover them with makeup, showing her pictures of Marilyn Monroe and Cindy Crawford.

  “What was it that Mrs. Pilo used to say? There’s a lid for every pot? There’s a Jack for every Jill?”

  “I don’t remember and don’t change the subject. My Jack basically sucker-punched me. Your Jack married you. If you were a good sister, you would give me a little niece or nephew.”

  Kate fiddled with her napkin. She tried to be a good sister. If she could get Joely married off, maybe she could finally let go of the guilt. “When’s the last time you had a date?”

  Joely gently tugged on her handmade turquoise earring. “Actually, a guy at Starbucks asked me out this morning.”

  “Was he drinking the coffee or serving it?” Kate took a bite of frozen yogurt, feeling the coldness trickle down her throat. She wished she’d ordered the creamier, full-fat version. But the pounds sneaked up on her so easily these days.

  “He’s an employee. That’s why I don’t know if it’s going to work out or not.”

  “What makes you say that?” Raindrops tapped against the window and Kate couldn’t help but glance outside. Puddles started to form in the parking lot potholes. She took a quick bite.

  “Because I used to wait tables and I don’t see how anyone can support a family on a barista’s salary.”

  “Joely, you need to slow down. You’ll scare all the guys off if you’re always picturing them as the father of your children.” She pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth, hoping to stop an ice cream headache.

  “I’m just being practical.”

  Kate nodded. Joely had made it clear she would trade in acrylics for finger paints if given the opportunity. “What if Starbucks is just a stepping stone in this guy’s career? Maybe he’s working his way through school or something. Tell me. What’s he like?”

  “His name’s Drew. He might be a little young for me—mid-twenties I would guess.” She rested her spoon against the side of her bowl. “He’s sweet, though. Today a little girl dropped her hot chocolate on the floor and burst into tears. Drew actually smiled while he mopped up the mess and assured her that he spilled things all of the time. Then he made her a new cup with extra whipped cream. You should’ve seen her big grin.”

  “He sounds wonderful. And apparently he likes children. That’s a good start.”

  Joely nodded. “You’re right. Even if he isn’t The One, I’m sure we’ll end up being friends.”

  “That’s true.” Joely had remained on good terms with most of her ex-boyfriends. Except the one she almost married. Kate squirmed, knowing she was to blame.

  “Kate?” Joely’s voice brought her back to the present. “Let’s talk some more about my little niece or nephew.” Joely’s brown eyes twinkled. “Let me live vicariously through you.”

  “Not gonna happen. Mitch and I love our life the way it is. We eat out when we don’t feel like cooking and sleep in on the weekends.”

  “You can’t fool me. You love children. You even chose a career where you help kids.”

  “And as a high school counselor, I see every day what can go wrong even when parents do everything right.”

  A family of four walked through the front door. The kids stomped their yellow galoshes on the tile floor, fascinated with the water they left behind. Kate felt the urge to grab a mop.

  Joely drug her focus away from the young faces and lowered her voice. “Are you afraid to have kids because of Mom? Because you worry that you might—”

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” Kate cut in. She dug her fingernails into her palm and looked away. Everyone always said Kate looked just like her mom. What if the thing that tormented her mother simmered inside of her, too? She didn’t even know what it was exactly. Better not to take any chances.

  Kate inhaled deeply and blinked until her sundae came back into focus. “Did I tell you we’re going to build a sunroom?”

  “Things won’t bring you real joy, Kate.”

  The Coca-Cola clock on the wall read 5:35. Kate looked out the window and noticed the rain seemed to bounce off the pavement. Her jaw clenched. After she dropped Joely at her apartment, it would probably take more than the usual hour to get home.

  A sedan attempting to stop for a red light slid sideways into the intersection. Kate held her breath. A horn blared. “Uh-oh. Looks like the good times are over.”

  “But I’m not ready.”

  Kate reached for her Coach purse. “Sorry.”

  Joely swallowed one more bite before standing. She gasped and clutched her back. Then she dropped to her knees. An agonizing sound came from the back of her throat.

  Kate screamed for someone to call 911.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Kate stood next to Joely’s hospital bed, wringing her hands, waiting for the lab results. Her nostrils burned from a Bactine-like smell. She glanced again at the thermometer resting on the table: 101.8 degrees.

  Joely, dressed in a powder blue gown,
sat upright, folding the edge of the sheet like a Chinese fan. “Sorry you missed your movie.”

  “I’m the one who should apologize. I didn’t realize you were in so much pain.”

  “It comes and goes. The weird part is that it moves around from my back to my wrists or knees. I went to my doctor and he said nothing was wrong with me.” She stopped folding and took a breath. “When I told him some days I’m too tired to get out of bed, he suggested I go on antidepressants.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Joely focused on the sheet hem. “I was embarrassed.”

  Kate placed her hand over her sister’s. “You don’t need to hide things from me. I’ll always be here for you.”

  One of the fluorescent lights above Joely dimmed as if it were about to go out. Then the doctor walked in.

  He resembled Kate’s college history professor—an authoritative presence with snow-colored hair and bifocals perched on the end of a narrow nose. His open lab coat revealed a stethoscope, an olive button-down shirt and matching pants.

  He introduced himself again as Dr. Martin then looked at the papers clutched in his hand. “There’s no easy way to say this. The lab confirmed what I suspected. You tested positive for anti-nuclear antibodies.”

  Kate struggled to understand what that meant.

  His white eyebrows formed a V. “ I’m afraid that you have lupus.”

  “Oh my God,” Joely said, one hand fluttering up to cover her mouth.

  Kate drew in a sharp breath. Isn’t lupus fatal? She watched the wall clock’s second hand lethargically click one centimeter at a time. The fluorescent lights hummed and the earth’s orbit practically stopped.

  Kate’s knees loosened and she grabbed the edge of Joely’s bed.

  Then she caught sight of Joely’s pallor. She willed her legs to hold her. Be strong for Joely. She reached over and rubbed Joely’s back with a quivering hand then asked the doctor, “Are you sure?”

  Dr. Martin nodded. “I’m sorry.”