that she’s here now—well, she came because my parents are finalizing their divorce soon, not because she wants to actually help me since we can’t afford a live-in nurse anymore—it’s a bit shocking to see her so…emotional.
“Your Gran used to say that about you,” Aunt Nicky says after clearing her throat. “She’d lay a hand on your mom’s belly and wait for you to perform and you did, Mia.”
My stomach flips and dips but I don’t cry.
“Mom never talked about Gran,” I start, figuring this might be the moment to ask. “Why?”
Aunt Nicky sighs, looking away, but I swear I detected hate in her eyes.
“Well, sometimes family is a bigger burden that one realizes.”
Damn. Of all the things I was expecting her to say.
“I heard she died because of heart break?” I start, ignoring the warning in my gut that says I have to drop it. “Is that true?”
“Well, I would be surprised if that’s true. That woman didn’t have a heart.” Her voice is harsh and dismissive, my cue to let this one go. I look back to the large mirrors and meet her gaze. Aunt Nicky and I have the exact same eyes. People even say I look more like her than I do my mom. They’re both striking women, with airy voices, and can weave anyone into their web of desire. It worked well for my mom when she was dancing all over the world and it’s working great for my aunt now.
“So, how long are you staying?” I ask, getting up to stretch. “You never said.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me, Mia?” She arches a perfectly shaped brow and it’s then that I notice the diamond stud earrings she’s wearing. Whoever she’s with now, he’s got bank.
“No, Auntie.” I smile, noticing the faux sad look on her face. She could be a world renowned actress if she wanted to be. “I’m just checking, so that I’m not shocked when you do leave. I mean, that’s what you usually do.”
“Oh yeah?” She folds her arms. “And what do I usually do?”
Biting my lip, I look away. “You know, you just disappear to the wind like you always do.”
“I’m not that bad.”
“Really?” I quirk a brow, as I bend to touch my ankles, keeping my legs straight. “Last time you met that hot-shot banker from Palo Alto and left with him the very next day.”
“You remember that?” She laughs. “I told you, he wanted to show me the private island he bought that day.”
I snort, straightening up so I can stand on my toes for three seconds then down again. I glance at my aunt, wondering if my mother had the same wild streak in her when she was younger. I know for sure great fashion sense runs in my family, including my father. Or else I would have demanded to get a family switch to whoever’s in charge of that shit. No way would I be caught dead dressed like an old 60s hussy like the pictures of my Dad’s great aunt.
“What happened to him? The banker?”
“It didn’t work out. Besides, I think he worked it out with one of his three ex-wives.”
“Herald had three ex-wives?” I gasp. “Auntie!”
I giggle and she throws her head back, laughing. “He was loaded! You think a man like that wouldn’t attract women?”
“Well, his loaded bank sure as hell attracted you.” I point out and she laughs, a sweet, melodic laugh. Just like Mom’s. I haven’t heard Mom laugh in a while. Maybe a year.
“Speaking of marriage, we need to talk, Mia.”
I know it’s coming before she can open her mouth.
“Auntie, I really need to nail this routine, or I might as well kiss Paris good-bye, throw in the towel right now.” I rush to say before she can say anything. Looking at Mom’s condition today, I know I need to get this right now. I don’t have much time.
A ball of nerves and anxiety lodges itself in my throat and for a moment I can’t speak. I can hear the ticking of my mother’s clock in the distance. I know she doesn’t have long left with us, but I refuse for that time to come before she sees me fulfilling the dream she had for me.
“But, Mia—,”
“Please Auntie.” I straighten my shoulders, my body tense.
“Okay. We can talk later.” She steps backward toward the door. “I’ll just…leave you to it but we need to talk.”
I don’t want to talk.
“Sure,” I call after her as she goes out, softly