Baggage

{Chapter Four}

Clack.

Shannon's white iPhone thudded as it hit the top of the coffee table. Tying her blonde hair up in a sleek pony tail, Shannon plopped onto her leather sofa.

"It's just one measly phone call. No biggie," she told herself as her fingers inched towards the phone once again. However, just as they reached the tip of the phone, they reclined back to her thighs.

This wasn't 'one measly phone call.' This was a call to her only sister, Violet, and this call was the reason that Shannon's heart was pounding a million beats a minute. It was supposed to be a simple task to invite her sibling out to lunch with her fiance. Unfortunately, the strained relationship between her and Violet made anything awkward.

Shannon huffed while she leaned backwards into the couch. I feel like I'm asking Violet out on a date, she thought, and I should feel comfortable talking to her. I'm not.

Shannon never really understood why Violet was stand-offish. Even when they were children, Violet would always have a reason to not be involved with her. Whether it be a headache or a huge test, she would never find time for her older sister. Charlie, their mother, never was bothered by the absence of Violet at their family affairs, but Shannon was. She wanted a sister that she could talk to, but she received a sister that placed brick walls around herself.

Clutching her rosary necklace, she stared up at the ceiling and asked what her next move should be.

"David was so two weeks ago."

Violet nodded while her best friend, Michelle, rambled on about her promiscuous dating life. Although she didn't approve of her friend's choices in mates, she didn't wish to cause any unneeded drama. Besides, Michelle's rapidly moving love life was extremely entertaining!

"What was wrong with David?" Violet asked, taking a minute sip from her smoothie cup and spreading her legs out from under the table. Maybe her legs would tan in this hot summer weather.

Michelle's sigh in response caused a few disapproving heads to turn in their direction. Even though Michelle and Violet were sitting in a crowded patio area of their favorite frozen yogurt shop, YoGo!, they always conversed as if they were the only people on the planet. The approval and well-being of the customers surrounding them hardly mattered to them.

"David was not romantic at all. He never complimented my looks or my cooking or my boobs. God, I was wearing this extra-padded bra to make me appear more pneumatic. He never stared!" Her index fingers pointed to her chest area. "Uhh, hello?!"

A soft laugh escaped Violet's lips. This girl was crazy, but she was able to cheer Violet up on any day of the week. Unlike her siblings from her strict Korean family, Michelle hated school, loved to party, and most likely had been involved with thirty men throughout her life.

"Got it. So, who's this week's lucky guy?" she coughed, attempting to smother another chuckle.

"His name is Jeremy; he's a businessman."

"I'm guessing you already planned your wedding, decided your children's names, and began searching for houses?"

Michelle replied without hesitation, "Wedding will be in the summer. Jack, Thomas, and Kacey. There's one a few towns away that's four bedrooms. I'll mention this to him on our third date."

If he makes it to a third date, Violet mentally joked to herself. Right before she was about to respond, her phone buzzed beside her. She squinted, trying to read the screen of her busted flip phone.

Shannon Weaver.

For some reason, Violet clicked on the button and stuck the device next to her ear. Michelle mouthed the words, "Who's that?", but Shannon's melodic voice from the other end of the phone consumed Violet's thoughts.

"Hey, Vi." She paused afterwards, waiting for Violet to respond presumably.

"Uhh, hey, Shannon. What's up?"

Michelle gasped, hearing the elder Weaver's name. Without a sound, she scooted her chair beside Violet and placed her ear next to the back of the phone.

"How's it going?" Her voice cracked at the end of the sentence, almost sounding as if Shannon was crying. Violet quickly became concerned. However, her concern dwindled as quickly as it came.

"Good."

Shannon sighed. "That's good. Anyways, if you're not busy, would you like to have lunch with Noah and me? Noah is cooking at his place."

Violet itched her head as she began formulating how to decline her offer. After a few silent (and awkward) moments passed, she chose to tell Shannon how deeply sorry that she couldn't make it to the lunch as she had to work late at her fake photography assistant job.

Unfortunately, another reply sprinted up her vocal cords and out of her mouth before she could mentally process it.

"Yeah I'll be there. Send me the address."