Something Great (Sequel to Something Borrowed)

Chapter 31: Going To Take Some Time

“I am done, Mother. D-0-N-E.” I stressed to Mother before taking a sip of my tea.  I was sitting at her kitchen table venting my frustration about what Brooke had done. I’d decided that I’d given up but I wanted to talk to Mother about it first. The stress of this whole ordeal with Brooke and now with Michael was really stressing me out. I was seriously considering eloping with Jake. I didn’t care about having an elaborate wedding. I just wanted to be able to finally become one with the man that I love.

Mother sighed. “Erin, don’t have that attitude.” She commanded. I sighed frustratedly. “But Mother I’ve tried! She blatantly ignored me!!”  I protested placing my teacup on the table. “I know she did Erin but you have to realize that nothing will get accomplished with the both of you harboring resentment.”  Replied Mother. I knew she was right but I was beyond annoyed and frustrated. “Brooke is hard-headed. I just don’t know if I can get through to her.” I replied. “You can and you will, today.” Mother declared firmly.

Today? Why today?? I suddenly had the strong feeling that my mother had done something I didn’t approve of.

“What do you mean, Mom?” I asked “I invited Brooke over today. You girls have to talk out your problems.” She replied casually as she put more sugar in her tea. I nearly choked on mine. I sighed. “Mother!! Why’d you do that?!?!” I exclaimed. Mom sighed. “I told you Erin, nothing is going to get accomplished if you keep giving the cold shoulder.” She replied.  “It won’t work, Mother. She’ll just walk away. It’s really all a waste of time.” I replied. “If I have anything to do with it, you and Brooke will resolve this issue.” She retorted firmly. I didn’t want to bring my mother into this. Brooke and I were both women. We weren’t little girls anymore where we needed Mother to break up our petty arguments. But I guess if we were acting like little girls that’s exactly how the situation was going to be handled.

I frowned. “Did you tell her I’d be here?” I asked. Mom simply shook her head. It’s official. Brooke’s gonna kill me when she sees me.

As if my mind had been read, there was a loud knock on the front door. A huge knot of nervousness formed in my stomach. Mother gave me a sympathetic smile before getting up from the table. I sat there staring blankly at the kitchen’s wall paper. I took a deep breath. We were practically being forced to talk to one another. I wasn’t sure how this will pan out. “How are the girls?” I hear Mother ask from the living room. I’d sort of tuned out their greetings. “They’re great. Rowan’s at gymnastics, Emma’s at her piano lesson and Sailor’s at dance.” Brooke replied. Wow, she must really have her hands full raising three girls on her own. Raising Harry just by himself was hard enough for me. I can only imagine how Brooke feels.

“Come on in the kitchen and I’ll make you some tea.” Mother said. I could hear their footsteps getting closer to the kitchen. My heart began to beat wildly.  In what felt like the blink of an eye, Mother and Brooke had arrived in the kitchen.  Brooke instantly locked eyes with me. Her pretty face held a shocked and scornful expression.  I hadn’t seen my sister in nine months. Brooke still had her bob hair cut and she seemed to thinner than the last time I’d seen her. Her physical appearance was slightly different but it was pretty obvious that the contempt she had for me had stayed the same. She stood motionless in the kitchen door frame.

“Hello Brooke.” I spoke trying to be polite. Brooke narrowed her blue eyes at me. “I have to go pick up Rowan from her lesson. I can’t stay.” She spoke. What a terrible excuse.  Mother sighed. “You will stay Brooke. You two are going to talk this out.” She declared firmly. Brooke scoffed. “There’s nothing to talk about. I have nothing to say to her. I don’t even want to be in the same room with her!!” She shouted. I sighed. I knew this would be a waste of time. “Brooke Christa Shields, have a seat at the table with your sister.” Mother commanded. She was using full names now. She’d gone into serious Mom mode.

Brooke huffed and took a seat at the table. She glared at me while folding her arms across her chest. I just simply stared back at her trying to be the bigger person. “So Erin, how’s it going between you and Michael? Has Jacob found out about your little fling yet?” Brooke asked haughtily. Now it was my turn to narrow my eyes. “Michael and I are not involved.” I replied trying to stay calm. Brooke rolled her eyes. “I don’t believe that. You’ve always wanted Michael. How do I know you weren’t with him while we were married?? For all I know he could be Harry’s dad!” She shouted. Now’s she’s gone too far. That accusation is absolutely ludicrous!!

“Now you look here Brooke-“I shouted but was quickly cut off by Mother. “That’s enough Brooke! You two are acting just like you did when you were girls! It’s time to resolve this issue once and for all and you’re gonna handle it like women, not kids!!” She shouted. I took a deep breath trying to calm down. Brooke simply cut her eyes at me. “Erin, you can begin.” Mother said giving me permission to speak. She leaned against the counter with her arms folded watching us like a referee in a boxing ring. I sighed ready to try to make amends with my sister.

“Brooke, I know that you’re absolutely disgusted with me and you probably don’t want to listen to me right now, but I truly am sorry about all of this. I never meant for it to happen. Yes, I admit, at one point in time I did want Michael. You don’t know how much it hurt to see him walk down the aisle with you. I’d never felt so hurt in my life. I’m not proud of what I did and I know there’s nothing I can do to change that. But I’m asking you to please forgive me. I love you Brooke, I never meant to hurt you. I miss you. I want my sister back.” I declared tearfully. I could feel tears streaming down my face. I didn’t expect that reaction from myself.

Brooke sighed. She didn’t seem moved by my heartfelt apology. “You may speak now if you wish Brooke.”  Mother announced. I’d almost forgotten she was there. Brooke sighed again. “You ruined everything for me Erin.  I had a wonderful life and you ruined it all!” She shouted angrily. I felt really bad.  “I’m so sorry Brooke.” I spoke wiping the tears away from my face. Brooke shook her head. “How can you be sorry? You’re not the one who’s been used. You’re not the one who spent fifteen years of your life pouring your heart and soul into someone only to be broken hearted. I sacrificed my identity for Michael and those girls and now that I’m not a housewife anymore I don’t know what to do with myself!! I don’t know what I can do and I can even get a job!! We’re barely making it by on Michael’s alimony!” She shot back. Her voice cracked and I could see a single tear fall from her eye. Wow, I had no idea Brooke was going through all this. I didn’t really know what to say.

“This is too much for me. I’ve got to go.” Brooke replied tearfully as she rose from the table. My heart sank. I knew she’d walk away. “Brooke wait!!” I shouted. Brooke turned around to face me. Her glare was cold. “What do you want?” She asked pushing her hair away from her tearstained face. I sighed. I’d never seen Brooke so broken. She’d always been so bubbly, so beautiful, so poised. For the first time in my life I’d realized that Brooke was anything but perfect.

“Jacob and I are getting married in June.  When you got married I promised that you’d be my maid of honor. I really want you to be a part of my wedding but I’ll give you time to consider it. I understand if you don’t want to be.”I finished sadly. Brooke just stared. “I’ll see you later, Mom.” She spoke to Mother ignoring my previous statement. “I’ll see you out.” Mom declared. Brooke shook her head tossing her purse over her shoulder. “I’ll see myself out.” She replied before turning on her heel and exiting the kitchen. I watched with tearful eyes as she disappeared into the living room and finally out the front door slamming it loudly behind her.

I turned to Mom with a somber expression. I slid my now cold cup of tea between the palms of my hands. “Well, you can’t say I didn’t try.” I declared tearfully. Mother sighed taking a seat next to me at the table.  I could feel her arms wrap around me. “Brooke will come around. Erin. I know she will. It will just take time.” She assured me in her soothing voice. I wiped away a tear that was making its way down my face. “I sure hope so.”