Going Home

Slamming the gear shift into park, Camille jumped out of the Jeep, glad she’d chosen tennis shoes instead of flats. Their father wouldn’t dare interfere with Brielle’s wedding, not after how badly he’d messed up with hers. Not bothering with the doorbell, she shoved the front door open and kicked off her shoes. Dropping her purse beside them, she forced herself to walk further inside. “Brielle! I’m home!” Silence. “Brie!” Brielle came scurrying out from the back bedroom. “Shh. I just got him to sleep.” She whispered, then threw her arms around Camille’s neck. “Oh, it’s so good to see you!” She pulled back. “Look at you, you look like a perfect Southern Belle.” Camille smiled awkwardly, knowing how Brie felt about her leaving home and following her husband to a big city. “Aww, sweet Sammy. How is my favorite nephew? I can’t wait to see how big he’s gotten!” Brielle shook her head. “He’s your only nephew, and he’s with his dad. He’ll be back after dinner.” “With his dad?” Camille echoed. “Wait. If he’s with Cody, then who is sleeping?” She studied her sister’s face. “And what is going on here?” Although the house looked the same on the outside, the interior was entirely different. Books littered the living room floor, most of the furniture was gone. Mama’s pictures no longer decorated the walls. “Brielle?” Brielle sighed and grabbed her sister’s hand, leading her into the parlor. She settled down on the edge of the sofa, pulling Camille with her. “Daddy’s sick. He won’t live much longer. We’ll, well, I’ll probably have to move him to an assisted living center. You don’t have to help. I know it’s hard for you to be here, even. The house is for sale.” Brielle took a deep breath. “I figured you might want to see him before it’s too late.” “Sick? Like he’s dying? Why didn’t you tell me?” The words swirled in Camille’s head, the room suddenly blurring before her eyes. Brielle studied her sister sadly. “You wouldn’t let me, Camille.” Her voice was patient, patronizing, and it drove Camille crazy. “I tried, believe me, I tried. I wanted to tell you, but every time I so much as mentioned his name, you changed the subject or came up with some reason you had to go. What was I supposed to do?” Brielle’s gentle voice turned sharp. Camille sank back on the ancient sofa, pressing her fingers to her temples. For the first time since Brielle called two months ago to tell her of the wedding, Camille wished she had allowed Rhett to come. He offered to come, claimed he genuinely wanted to see Brielle and meet her fiancé. Though probably true, Camille couldn’t bring herself to subject her husband to the coldness and disdain her father would certainly show. It would be bad enough enduring the feelings of inadequacy and disapproval herself. Still, Rhett’s presence at this moment would be comforting. She turned back to her sister. “The house is for sale?” Brielle simply nodded. “Then what’s up with the sign in the yard?” Brielle nearly rolled her eyes. “One of Daddy’s big ideas. He wanted to rent the barn out for wedding receptions and parties. He said he might as well make use of it since he put so much time and effort into cleaning it up for you.” “You’re really selling the house?” Camille asked again, struggling to make sense of her sister’s words. “Why? When is all this happening?” Brielle gave her sister a look of confused disappointment. “You always did have your head in the clouds, turning away from the difficult things.” She sighed. “All Daddy’s money is in the land. Mama’s medical bills still aren’t completely paid off, and after she died, Daddy stopped caring so much about money. The farm hasn’t been as profitable as it was when Grandpa owned it, and most of what we’ve brought in has been used just to survive. Between Mama’s bills, the bills for Daddy’s treatment, and some of the other debts he’s incurred, we can’t afford to not sell.” She paused. “I’ll move in with Landon right after the wedding, so don’t worry about me.” “Oh, good!” Camille nearly snorted. “I was beginning to think you’d made that part up to convince me to come home.” Of course she’d wait until after the wedding to move, although she probably already spent most nights with the guy. She was Daddy’s perfect angel. Nothing Brielle did was ever wrong. He always accepted her mistakes with such grace, supported her unconditionally no matter what. Even getting pregnant with Sammy didn’t elicit the searing disappointment Camille would have expected. The shock on Brielle’s face filled Camille with remorse, but it was the pain in her sister’s voice that broke her heart. “You know better than that, Camille Annette. This isn’t easy for me either.” Struggling to regain her composure, Brielle rose. “Your room upstairs is ready. I need to go check on Daddy.”