Giant tears rolled down Lana’s cheeks.
“Oh, Anna, can you forgive me?” her voice cracked as she spoke.
Anna put down the tea kettle and came around the island to hug her sister. The two of them cried with Melody sandwiched between them. She reminded them she was still there and none too pleased at being ignored. Her scrunched up face and squirmy body broke the two apart.
“Looks like your little girl has a mind of her own.”
“Yes, she lets me know what she wants. But for the most part she’s happy and content and fills my days with love. I feel blessed to have her.”
“Anna, I’ve been so wrong to shun you and talk behind your back like I have. How self-righteous I was. I justified the gossip all under the guise of asking for prayer.”
Anna knew not to interrupt. This would be hard for her sister.
“But the worst of it is, I talked negatively to Mark about you. I knew he was struggling, and I supported his bad behavior. I encouraged him to stay angry, and I fed his spirit of unforgiveness because it fed mine too. I wanted company in my bitterness.”
“I know, Lana. It’s no big secret how my son feels about me. He’s never been one to hide his feelings, especially when he’s not happy about something.”
“But … but you helped us out when Lorena came to you, and I’ve done the opposite.” She tried hard to blink back her tears to no avail. “It could’ve been the perfect opportunity for you to do exactly what I did to you, but you didn’t.”
As she rocked Melody in her arms with tears coursing down her face, Anna realized she had never seen her sister look more beautiful. The professional, got-it-together woman with smudges in her perfect makeup made her seem real and endearing.
“Lana, we’ve both failed each other. I know what I did really embarrassed the family and that it hasn’t been easy for any of you. It’s a good thing God’s forgiveness covers all.” Anna smiled and moved to give her sister a quick hug.
Melody lunged her body toward her mom with her arms reached out. “I’ll put her down for her nap while you take a moment to freshen up, then we’ll have some quality TTT and SSS.”
Anna purposely used the code words they had created as teenagers to bring back their closeness. “Time, tea, and talk to share and spill secrets.”
Lana smiled through her tears.
Walking back into the kitchen, Anna poured the tea and slid onto the stool across from her sister.
“I feel like such a failure as a mom.” Lana confided. “I know that I’ve given more time to my career in the past few years than I have to my kids or husband. The real estate market has taken off, and my work as an agent has sky-rocketed. I’ve even had to hire an assistant. The money is pouring in. People love me. I thought all was going so well.”
Lana flung her hands in the air. Her brightly painted purple gel nails with yellow sunflowers caused a momentary distraction for Anna.
“Then this hits and reality sinks in. I’ve been focused on the wrong things, and Lorena has slipped through the cracks.”
“It’s not too late. God is the author of second chances.”
Anna lifted her teacup to make a toast like they did as youngsters. Lana smiled and joined in.
“Here’s to a fresh start. You need to make some changes that will enable you to have time with your daughter, and Lorena will open up. I know she will. I witnessed some real tenderness underneath that crusty shell. It’s all a ruse. Deep down she’s frightened and really needs you.”
“I pray you’re right. All we’ve done is fight in the past few months. I’ve been easily riled by her saucy mouth and have retaliated in anger. But Tom is no longer putting up with any of that—neither disrespect from Lorena, nor anger from me. You’d never recognize him these days. He’s really changed. He’s taking this leadership role thing seriously, and he challenges my bad attitudes. I’ve had to back down numerous times.”
Anna laughed, clapping her hands. “Now that I’d love to see—you backing down.”
“It’s actually a relief,” Lana admitted. “Right now, I don’t know how to reach Lorena, and it’s going to take time to win back her trust. Tom on the other hand, has always been closer to her. He has a softer way about him which she responds to. It’s actually comforting to take the back seat.”
She snapped open the clasp on her purse and fished out a tissue to dab at the corners of her eyes. “There’s some good changes going on, I just have to embrace them.”
Anna got up and poured another cup of tea. She placed a piece of Lana’s favorite chocolate cake in front of her. “Made it fresh today, just for you.”
“Ah, Anna, you’re so much nicer than I am. You didn’t know how our meeting would go today, and yet you baked my favorite chocolate cake. What’s with that?”
“I had hope. I believed we’d find our way back together.”
“Speaking of “together,” I’ve bared my soul, but what about your life. What’s happening with you and Matt?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, are you two together? It’s been over a year, and you’ve had a baby. Obviously, there’s a connection. I also heard he became a Christian.”
“Yes, but where did you hear that?”
“Tom said Matt joined the Saturday morning men’s Bible study. Pastor Harry is his mentor and has encouraged all the men to make him welcome. But it’s weird, we don’t see him on Sundays with you.”
Anna shook her head. “That’s my doing. I told him I wasn’t comfortable with him at our church due to the way others were having difficulties with us being together.”
“By others, you primarily mean me, right?”
Anna didn’t want to answer. “It’s not only you.”
“It’s okay. I deserve a smack upside the head. To think I’ve jeopardized
