Second Time Around Read Free Page A

say. I don’t care about Kevin MacIntyre.” Emily tugged the unruly curls to the top of her head and fastened a barrette, then continued. “I don’t wish him any harm, but…I don’t need him. I am perfectly happy on my own.”
    â€œRight. I don’t believe a word of it, but the time will come when you’ll realize what he still means to you.”
    Emily watched her sister dance to the back door and pull the Victorian lace curtains closed, seemingly mocking Emily’s problems. Katarina was the only sane person she knew who could switch moods as easily as turning pages on a calendar.
    â€œI am curious,” Kat continued. “How do youplan to avoid him when both of you are friends with Laura and Bryan?”
    â€œThey’ll understand.” Emily placed the ivy-trimmed dishes on the antique table and added two glasses of iced tea. She thought of Kevin’s promise that they would see each other again, and the seething anger started anew. “Oooh, he’s so sure of himself.”
    Katarina didn’t say anything, just smiled. The disk changed, and it wasn’t long before she began humming with the music. Pretty soon, Emily heard an echo of the wedding processional behind her.
    â€œKnock it off, Katarina.”
    â€œMama always said your temper was because of that fiery red hair. Came from the Irish side of the family, I suppose.”
    Emily shook her head and rolled her eyes, remembering their childish arguments as if they were yesterday.
    They continued preparing dinner in silence. Even though Katarina irritated her like only a little sister could, Emily was anxious for Kat’s move to town so they could get together more often. They were the closest of the three siblings in age and in spirit.
    If it hadn’t been for her sister’s youthful encouragement, Emily never would have made it through the broken engagement or medical school. Kat’s zany sense of humor was a totally endearing quality that Emily had learned to appreciate, and had come to depend upon.
    â€œEmily?” Her sister touched her arm.
    She turned, shaking the daze away. “What?”
    Kat had moved the food to the table, and now motioned for Emily to sit. In unison they bowed theirheads, while Emily blessed the nourishment before them.
    There was an unsettling quiet as they ate.
    â€œDo you think Dad ever loved Mom?” After all these years, Katarina’s voice echoed Emily’s gnawing childhood fear.
    Emily stared at her food. Would the mention of her broken engagement ever stop reminding all of them of their father? “I try not to analyze them, Kat. We both know how unforgiving Mom can be. Maybe Dad couldn’t take it anymore. Maybe… Who knows?” Emily shrugged, then took a bite of chicken. She wished her sister would change the subject.
    â€œDon’t you ever wonder why he never came back to see us?”
    Slurping the juice dripping from the bite of pear, Emily mumbled, “Of course I do. I doubt I’ll ever get over it.”
    â€œWhat?” Katarina turned her head slightly, tears brimming in her bright blue eyes. Out of frustration, she combed her fingers through one side of her sporty hairstyle, as if the hair were preventing her hearing aid from working.
    â€œI mean, there are parts of my past I can’t seem to forget.” The hearing aid in Katarina’s ear was tiny and no longer bothered her, but it always would Emily. It was a constant reminder of why she’d gone into medicine. No matter how much she tried, Emily would never forget the pain she’d nursed her little sister through. She’d do everything possible to help prevent another child’s suffering. “How do you deal with it? You’re always so disgustingly cheerful.”
    The brightness of her sister’s porcelain skin paledand the smile dimmed. “There are still days when I’m so mad I could spit nails. Trust