Little changed. He had three square meals a day. His laundry was done. He was able to participate in sports and continue on as if her death was a minor blip in his life.”
“That’s not true,” Willa argued, defending her brother. “He missed Mom, too, just not in the same way as you and I did.”
“Yes, I suppose. With Lucas, though, it was easier to pretend everything was fine when it felt for us as if our entire world had gone into a tailspin.”
Willa didn’t argue, and I suspected she knew Harper was probably right. I’d never met Lucas, so it was hard for me to understand her brother. From what little Willa had told me about him, he seemed to have his head on straight. In one of our conversations about her family I remembered Willa telling me that the military had done her brother a world of good. He’d come out disciplined, clearheaded, mature beyond his years, with the resolve to make his own life.
“He made up for it later,” Harper said. “When I was sick, he was a great support.”
“To both of us,” Willa chimed in, stiffening her shoulders, as if reluctant to return to their earlier conversation. “Getting back to our tiff,” she continued, “I realized as I walked the field this morning that this need to get your own place with Leesa has been brewing for some time.”
“It has,” Harper agreed. “We’ve been talking about it for a couple of months now.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Willa asked, frowning. “I would have understood.”
Once more Harper looked uncomfortable, kicking at an imaginary spot on the floor. “I needed to wait.”
“But why?”
She exhaled. “I wanted to be sure the blood tests were okay. It didn’t seem like a good idea to make plans to move out if there was a possibility the leukemia was back.”
“Right. That makes sense.”
Willa glanced my way as if to say she should have figured that out earlier.
“So you’re looking at apartments with Leesa,” Willa said brightly. I could see she was doing her best to be encouraging and supportive.
Harper’s eyes instantly lit up and she nodded. “We are. I’ve been saving up for the deposit, and Leesa has, too.”
“What’s your timing?”
Harper was quick to answer. “September first if we can find the right place, one that’s convenient for us both and at a price we can afford. The fifteenth at the latest. That won’t be a problem, will it?” She studied Willa, seeking her approval. “I mean, if you don’t feel that you can make the rent on your own—”
“It won’t be a problem,” Willa rushed to reassure her sister.
I had to wonder if she was as okay with this as she said she was. Willa had been her little sister’s advocate from the time Harper had been born. Freeing Harper to move out was a huge step emotionally for her. I could only imagine how bereft this decision made her feel.
“Will you get a new roommate?” Harper asked, as if she worried what would become of Willa without her. Her gaze flickered to mine. I nodded, hoping she understood I wasn’t going anywhere. When it came to Willa, I intended to be around for as long as she’d have me.
“A new roommate,” Willa echoed, as if only now considering the option. “Possibly. I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
“I need to find a place that will allow pets,” Harper said absently, and for the first time, she noticed the cake pans that lined the counter. “You baked cakes?” she asked with some surprise.
“For the wedding. Four different flavors.”
“I did a taste test,” I volunteered. “The coconut is my favorite, with the lemon cake running a close second.”
Harper grinned. “You were serious about baking Lucas and Chantelle’s wedding cake, then?”
“Of course.”
Harper hugged Willa and started toward the door. “Wish me luck today.”
“Luck?” I asked. Clearly she was up to something, to be awake this early on a Saturday morning.
“I’m doing a practice climb up Mount Rainier with the whole group,” Harper explained. “It’s a big deal. We’re scheduled to make the full climb next weekend. This will be my first time to meet the guide.”
“Harper has been conditioning all summer,” Willa explained. “She intends to impress the guide with how fit she is.”
“So you’re ready?” I asked.
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
Seeing that she taught yoga and fitness classes, this news came as no surprise.
“This is more than a practice climb,” Harper explained, gripping her hands together. “It’s a strength