Twisted Truths
& Leveled Lies
S. K. Lessner, Author
Kats Eye Publishing
I dedicate this book to my wonderful children.
Even though you are forbidden to read this for
many, many years to come…
You are the ones who encouraged me when I doubted, cheered me on when I wanted to quit, and went without when I was writing and not cooking or cleaning for days on end.
Without you, this book never would’ve been created.
Thank you for your unfailing love and belief in me!
I love you!
CHAPTER 1
“So, will you come?”
I really had no idea why she was asking. My sister’s not the type who takes no for an answer anyhow. I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly, trying to avoid telling her what I really thought about her Friday night dinners.
“Ugh, don’t make me beg.” She continued. “You know it’s not the same if you’re not there.”
As much as I loved spending time with her every day, I despised the thought of more time on Friday evening playing cards, eating, and listening to her play matchmaker.
“Okay, fine, but you are not playing Cupid this time!” I started to give her the evil eye as I finished my warning, but I could see the guilty look in her eyes before she had a chance to respond. “Oh, no. No, Joan. Don’t do this to me again!”
“Come on, this one’s different. I swear.”
“Forget it! I’m not going.”
I knew I was being loud as we walked, but she deserved it. Obviously, my kind requests to end this game had gone unnoticed. Besides, after a couple more blocks we’d be out of the business district and surrounded by homes and little driveways. Nobody would notice us then.
“I told you last time, I wasn’t going over there again if all you want to do is play Cupid with your endless supply of men. Where do they come from anyhow? Oh, don’t answer that. Why can’t I just be single? Why do you think I have to have a man to be happy?”
I could feel the heat rolling off my body and it had nothing to do with the ninety-degree weather outside. My ever increasing anger over this repeating pattern my sister and I had every few weeks was growing unbearable.
We continued walking home, but in silence. We only live two miles from our family florist shop in the suburbs of Chicago, but sometimes the walk seemed more like ten. This was one of those days.
It must have been the twentieth time this year that she’d tried to set me up with someone. She, on the other hand, was married, had two kids, and saw my “situation” as a fault. I was perfectly happy being single. I was in no hurry to find “Mr. Right.” And I definitely didn’t want to go on any more blind dates!
“I’m sorry, Mel. You’re right. I’ll tell Paul to tell him we need to cancel because the kids are sick.”
I could hear the defeat in her voice, and for a moment, I was thrilled. Ecstatic even. But then I glanced sideways and saw her shoulders slumped down, her head hanging low, and a damn tear rolling down her cheek!
Once again, I put my desires aside, and thought of my sister and her overly-large heart that continually tried to find a fairy tale ending for my life.
“You involved Paul too? Why? Oh, don’t answer that either.” I paused, trying to gather the strength to give in to her plans. Taking a deep breath, I exhaled slowly and prepared to do something I knew I’d regret. Again.
“I’ll do this one more time. This Friday and then never again!”
Before I finished my demands, she was walking with a bounce in her step and her cheeks looked like they were about to burst from her big smile. I shook my head as I watched her, wondering if she’d been taken acting classes and learned to cry on command to get her way. Her persuasive skills definitely seemed to be improving.
“You have to promise me that this is the end of it. No more after this weekend. I know you mean well, Joan, but I can’t do it.”
Maybe I should make her sign a contract. I highly doubted this would be the last time. Hopefully, it would at least give me a few months before she came up with some scheme like the last time when she “coincidentally” ran her grocery cart into a single man. The same man who just so happened to be “lost” in the store. It was all too convenient that I was with her on that excursion. The guilty look was written all over her face that day too. Yes, a contract sounded like a good idea after all.
“Okay, okay, I promise.” She held her pinky up to shake mine like we’d done since we were little girls.
Grudgingly, I put mine out and connected with her finger. It’s a good thing her pinkies hadn’t turned purple and fallen off yet for all the promises she’d broken.
“But just so you know, Mel, this one’s different. He’s breathtakingly handsome, kind, and…”
At that point I went on autopilot and tuned her out. “Breathtakingly?” Is that actually a word? Maybe that’s like the last three when she described them as, “horribly hot,” “sensually sexy,” or my favorite, “cutestibly cuddly.” If she wasn’t my sister then I wouldn’t care how harsh my words were, or how cruel I was when I turned her down. She may be three years older than me, but for as long as I could remember, I’ve been the one taking care of her. Thank goodness for her husband, Paul, who came along five years ago. He was an angel to step in and take over protecting and guiding her. For the most part. Some things a sister would always be needed for.
“Did you hear me?” she called out from behind me.
Of course, I’d no idea that she’d asked anything and didn’t notice she stopped until I was about ten steps ahead of her.
“Mel! Hello?”
Coming to a stop, I turned to see her with her hands on her hips, foot tapping against the sidewalk.
“Yeah, of course I was listening. Sure.” I quickly replied.
“Really? Then you don’t mind going skinny dipping after dinner?”
“You did not ask me that, Joan. Did you?”
“I knew you weren’t listening!” She sighed in defeat and jogged the few steps to catch up. “Oh, never mind. Just bring something for dessert, okay?”
“No problem. Do you want whipped cream? Or maybe I should bring extra beer in bottles so we can play spin the bottle?” I knew I was being a bit sarcastic, but she got what she wanted, so I wasn’t going to make this easy.
“Funny. Maybe you could make mom’s cherry cheesecake. It’s been so long since either of us has made that, and it’ll go good with dinner.”
“Fine. Cherry cheesecake. Anything else? You know, I have an awesome little piece of lingerie that makes me look just like a naughty little school girl.” I wiggled my eyebrows and shook my butt suggestively.
“Mel, seriously, this one’s different. I promise.” Oh, yes, promises. If only I had her pinky on this one too!
“Okay, Joan, cheesecake. Anything else for real?”
“Nope, just that, and your beautiful smile.”
I looked at her, ready to respond with another snappy reply, but she’d already started to sing and skip ahead of me. If I didn’t know differently, I’d truly believe that I was the older sister and she the younger, wild child. I silently wondered what mom would think if she were still alive? Then again, she’d probably be just as bad and have every available bachelor within fifty miles prescreened, and on a stand-by list.
By the time we reached my house, my shirt was soaking wet with sweat, my feet were aching, and I had a splitting headache from the heat and disagreement. Yet, somehow the happiness radiating from my sister made it all worth it. Yes, I may hate the things she puts me through, but to see her smile like that puts everything into perspective.
Until Paul came
along, she rarely smiled. Our parents died in a car accident seven years ago and Joan was the one driving the car. She completely shut off. She didn’t speak for almost a year and practically stopped eating. I took her to endless therapy sessions, worked with different medications to try to find one to help her, and spent countless nights sitting and holding her when the nightmares would keep her awake. So, if spending another Friday evening in the company of a different man made her happy, then that’s exactly what I’d do.
Coming to a stop in front of my driveway, she waited for me to catch up. Her long brown hair was still perfectly styled and she didn’t have a drop of sweat on her anywhere. I was the lucky one who inherited the sweaty-pig gene.
“Hurry up already, it’s hot out here!” She yelled.
“You think? I look like I ran through the last three sprinklers we passed!”
As I walked up to her, she held her arms out for a hug.
“I’m off tomorrow, but I still have to stop in to do payroll.” I had to remind her; otherwise she’d be calling me at seven in the morning wondering where I was. Never mind the schedule on the wall next to the phone, she never read it. “I’m gonna go get a shower and go to bed early tonight. I’m exhausted.”
“Okay, see ya tomorrow.” Once again her huge grin returned as she began walking backward. “And don’t worry, Mel, you’ll see. This one’s worth it!”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah…Love you, sis. ‘Nite.”
Shaking my head, I walked up the steps to the front door, laughing as I unlock it. Crazy, annoying, lying sister, but I loved her!
********
The next two days were a blur. June is always a crazy month due to weddings and graduations, but this year had been ten times as busy. I was happy for the income, but I couldn’t help but complain about the exhaustion.
Today was Friday, and Joan was off work, most likely spending the day baking for her dinner tonight. I had spent the past twelve hours finishing orders, loading deliveries, helping customers, and training the new girl on top of it all. Needless to say, my feet were killing me by five o’clock. I rarely drove to work unless the weather was bad and found myself staring at one of the delivery trucks in the parking lot. Debating on walking the two miles home or using one of the trucks, it took less than two seconds to decide. The delivery truck won hands down. Between my feet and the heat there was nothing left to consider.
As I entered my house, I was blasted with a rush of artic air. Thank god Paul had fixed my air conditioner; it had been near one hundred degrees for the past two weeks. Add in the Midwest humidity and living without it was unbearable. Shutting the door behind me, I took my shoes off, and dropped to the couch.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” I mumbled incoherently to the empty room.
Taking a few deep breaths, I surrendered to the couch, allowing my body some much needed relaxation. Just as I shut my eyes for a quick respite, my phone beeped. I knew it was either Joan or the new girl at work with questions about the final orders for the day. Joan could wait since I didn’t have to be at her house until seven, but the new girl couldn’t.
Growling, I reached into my pocket and pulled the phone out. Joan, of course.
Can u bring sum salt w u plz?
I quickly text back, no prob, c u later
& don’t forget ur smile! :)
Seriously, Joan, I need to know where you get your sunny disposition, or what drugs you’ve been taking, because I definitely needed some of them! I refused to respond to her last message, and dropped the phone beside the couch.
Stretching my arms out above my head, I eagerly resumed my relaxation. I’m not sure I noticed when I bought the couch, but it was extremely comfortable with my legs hanging over the armrest and my arms extended to the other side.
“Beep, beep, beep.”
What is it now? I couldn’t even rest for a few minutes!
Retrieving my phone from the floor, I saw that I had two missed calls and four texts. I hadn’t realized I’d fallen asleep, but I must have. It’s funny how exhaustion can do that to you.
Scrolling through the texts, I quickly comprehended the problem. It was 6:45 and I was supposed to be at Joan’s house at 7:00. Just as I began replying to her last message, she called again.
I hit the talk button as fast as I could. “I know Joan, I’m coming, don’t worry.” I jumped off the couch and hurried to my room to find something to wear.
“Why aren’t you here yet? You always come help me set up beforehand.” She sounded frustrated and I had to remind myself of all the things I loved about her and why I was going through with tonight at all.
“I know. I’m hurrying. I fell asleep. Sorry. I’ll be right over.”
I didn’t give her a chance to respond before I ended the call. I couldn’t believe I’d slept through all the calls in the first place, but now I only had a few minutes to get ready.
Looking at the clock again, I realized I didn’t have time for a shower. Great. Now I would smell repulsive and meet my “Prince Charming.” Oh well, maybe he’d get a whiff of me and excuse himself from the evening.
I chuckled at my thoughts and began to change. I expected Joan to be disappointed, but I didn’t care. I threw on my comfy jeans and a little white V-neck shirt. I’d made enough compromises for one night. Being uncomfortable was not one I was willing to do with only a few minutes to get ready.
After brushing my hair and touching up my makeup, I grabbed the cheesecake I’d made last night, the salt she needed, and quickly headed out the door. Fortunately, she lived only six houses down from mine, so it would only take a few minutes to get there.
Opening her front door, I was greeted by her husband, Paul. He’s a good-looking man with blond hair that always appeared like he’d hung his head upside down and shook it to style it. I wished my hair could be that easy to fix. Instead, I’m stuck with wavy brown hair that neither wanted to be curly nor straight and refused to cooperate with me.
“Hey Paul, how are you?”
“I’m good, thanks.” He held the door open and smiled at the cheesecake I brought. “Wow. That looks delicious!”
Walking inside, I held the desert out, allowing him to take it from me.
“My mom just left with the kids for the night. She said to tell you ‘hi’ and she misses you.” He had the kindest eyes I’d ever seen, and I doubted he could ever hurt a fly.
I was contemplating how to ask him why he got involved in Joan’s newest scheme, but I didn’t get a chance to. As soon as we walked through the entryway, Joan bounced in, pausing mid-bounce. Her long, brown hair flopped to one side and she dropped the dishtowel she had in her hands to the floor.
“Is that what you’re wearing?” Her jaw fell open after the last syllable and her eyes looked like they might bulge out of their sockets at any moment. Maybe I was right about the acting classes before, because she certainly was full of drama anymore.
“I love these jeans and they’re com-for-ta-ble.” I slowly pronounced each syllable, emphasizing my point. “Besides, we’re eating dinner and playing cards. What’s the big deal?”
She slowly bent over, retrieving her towel, as Paul excused himself to go to the kitchen. Smart man. I’d leave too, if I could.
“You know what the big deal is. He will be here in half an hour and you have to look good!”
“Wait, half an hour? Seven-thirty? I thought you said this starts at seven?” I could’ve slept another twenty or thirty minutes!
“Well, my dear li’l sis,” she said and moved to my side, wrapping her arm through mine to direct my steps forward. “I’ve come to expect certain things from you and thought you might need a little extra time to get ready. So I told you seven. I told him seven-thirty.”
Yes, I see that I’m going to have to sign up for whatever classes she’s taking, because I definitely needed to begin stepping up my game around her now.
“I see.” I replied, waiting for the further instructions I knew she would provide.
>
“So, I laid out an outfit on my bed for you, have the curling iron on, and all you have to do is go fix yourself up and be ready in twenty minutes.”
Once again she was smiling her innocent smile, and, before I realized it, she’d led me all the way to her bedroom door.
“What’s wrong with how I look? Mom always said if someone doesn’t like me for who I am, then they aren’t who I should be with in the first place.”
“Mom also told both of us that it doesn’t hurt to highlight the gifts that God gave us.” She quickly crushed my hopes of using Mom as an excuse.
I sighed and gave up. I could’ve fought it. I could’ve refused. But I was worn out, and the quicker we got tonight over with, the quicker I could go home and lay on my pillow to bed, swallowed up by comfort, and fall asleep.
Using that thought for momentum, I moved through the doorway, and shut the door in her face. I refused to give her any more acknowledgment over the situation.
“So much for not making any more compromises, Mel,” I mumbled to myself as I took my pants off and reached for the clothes on the bed.
Forget being comfortable. She had a short, black skirt, a white push up bra, and a red satin scoop neck shirt laid out for me. Taking a deep breath, I put the clothes on. Fighting the urge to sneak out the window, I went into her bathroom to do something more with my hair.
Twenty minutes later I was about to leave the bedroom when I heard the doorbell ring. “Mr. Wonderful has arrived,” I told myself with a sneer.
Cracking the bedroom door slightly, I could hear Paul greeting him at the door and asking him to come in. Before he entered the hall, I scurried around the corner, quickly making my way to the kitchen. No need for me to greet him. I’d hate for him to get the wrong idea. Like I actually wanted to do this.
“Wow, you look much better!” Joan beamed, as she looked me up and down.
“Geez, thanks, sis. I love the encouragement,”
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