Sister Surrogate Read online

  Ivy was glad that they were just a few exits away from her condo because it would get ugly if she had to be in the car with her older sister much longer. She didn’t want to go there with Bridgette. Despite their disagreements, and they’d had many over the years because that’s what sisters did, she had the utmost respect for her.

  As the eldest, Bridgette had always put their needs before her own. She would go to battle for them, and she had the scars to prove it. She was the epitome of selflessness, something Ivy admired about Bridgette because if she was being honest, it wasn’t exactly a quality she possessed, and she didn’t make any apologies about that.

  “So, I chose to seek a career that I love. We all did. And, just because I didn’t choose to be tied down to a man and some rugrats, that doesn’t make me a bad person, so stop trying to make it seem that way.”

  “You see what I mean about practicing some tact? You just called my kids rugrats, even if you weren’t intending to,” Bridgette said, shaking her head as she turned on her signal to take the upcoming exit to Ivy’s condo building.

  Ivy waved her hand, dismissing Bridgette’s comment. “You’re being ridiculous, Bridgette. You know that’s not what I meant. I love my nephews. You know that.”

  “Again, you never mean to say anything that you do,” Bridgette remarked, rolling her eyes.

  Ivy was about to say something regarding her sister’s nasty tone, but decided to keep her comments to herself since everything she’d said thus far, Bridgette seemed to want to counter. She didn’t have the energy to keep going back and forth with her. They’d just received unsettling news about their sister, but here they were arguing. They rode the rest of the way in silence.

  Chapter Five

  I

  vy was almost regretting coming home. Back in Atlanta, she’d been looking forward to spending time with her sisters and enjoying the Easter weekend with them. She hadn’t seen them since the Christmas holidays, and with her traveling so much, she rarely got to come home. So, it always felt good to be around them, especially since she didn’t have anyone in Atlanta. Despite their differences on occasion, they were close.

  That’s why it pained her that cancer was intruding upon their family once again. It wasn’t fair. Savannah didn’t deserve this.

  Just six months ago, she and Bridgette were giving their baby sister away to the man she was destined to spend the rest of her life with at her wedding, joking with her about all of the chocolate babies she was going to have with Julius because that’s all she talked about. For as long as she could remember, that had been Savannah’s favorite topic of conversation.

  Ivy chuckled when she thought back to the Cabbage Patch dolls Savannah called her babies that she would push around in a little pink stroller with a purple handle. One was a bald-headed boy named Mickey Wade and the other was a girl with two pigtails with brown yarn for hair named Ramona Jill. They’d belonged to Bridgette first and she’d gladly passed them down to Savannah since Ivy had never been into playing with dolls; she liked to dress up in her mother’s clothes and heels instead. She’d gotten into trouble so many times for playing around in her mother’s make-up and jewelry.

  Ivy wiped tears from her eyes as she sat propped up in her bed with pillows behind her, thinking about how happy their childhood had been, growing up together in the Alston household.

  Eldridge and Aretha Alston were married over thirty-five years, instilling in their three girls the importance of family and education, two things they were passionate about. It was an unspoken rule that they would all go to college and make something of themselves. And they all had.

  She always took comfort in knowing that they’d made their parents proud. That’s why she hated when they fought. Her parents never liked it, and she knew they’d be disappointed to see her and Bridgette always at it, especially now that their baby girl was going through such a difficult time. They’d expect them to put their differences aside and band together like they had when they’d lost them. Ivy wanted that to, but Bridgette made it hard sometimes. It was like she still looked at she and Savannah as still being those little girls she’d grown up looking after.

  Ivy didn’t understand why she always felt the need to chastise her like she was one of her children. So what she didn’t want a husband and children? That was her choice, as there were many women in the world who felt that way. She never made her sisters feel bad about the choices they made or how they chose to live their lives. They were all different in that way, and Ivy respected that, and Bridgette needed to do the same.

  She grabbed her iPhone off the nightstand to call Savannah to check up on her.

  “How you doing, Bubbling Brown Sugar?” Ivy asked when she heard her sister’s voice on the other end, using the nickname she’d given her when they were kids because of her outgoing personality and lustrous skin tone.

  “Hey, Ivy League. I’m doing okay,” said Savannah, her own nickname for Ivy who she always said was in a league of her own. “Just watching TV and waiting on Julius to get home.”

  “He still ain’t home yet? It’s almost nine thirty,” said Ivy, glancing at the clock on her nightstand. She knew her brother-in-law was a workaholic, and she respected his hustle because her sister didn’t want for much of anything, but now she was sick, so the game had changed.

  “He’s on the way.”

  Ivy could detect the displeasure in her sister’s voice, even though she was trying to be understanding, but Ivy knew it bothered her. Savannah wasn’t confrontational unlike herself.

  “Savannah, it’s too early in your marriage for you to already be feeling a certain way about your husband’s actions. Far be it from me to offer anyone marital advice, but it may be time to have a talk with Julius, especially after what you told us today about your diagnosis. I’ll leave it at that because unlike your other sister, I try and stay out of people’s business. Speaking of which, we got into it on the way home from your house.”

  “What happened?” Savannah asked.

  “Basically, Bridgette being Bridgette. On her high horse as usual. But, I want to apologize again if I hurt your feelings in any way. I guess sometimes I don’t think before I say things.” Ivy thought about what Bridgette said to her earlier, and she felt bad, hoping she hadn’t offended Savannah.

  “It’s okay, Ivy. I know you didn’t mean anything by it. Are you two going to be okay though?”

  “Girl, you know how we do. We’ll be fine,” said Ivy, waving her hand in dismissal as if her sister could see her.

  “I know, but we both know how Bridgette is. Maybe you should call her tonight before it gets too late and apologize.”

  “And what makes you think that I’m the one who needs to apologize?”

  Ivy had thought about calling Bridgette to smooth things over, but decided to let her cool off. When Bridgette was in her feelings about something it was best to let her be. Hopefully, she’d be in a better mood tomorrow. If she weren’t, then that would be her problem. Ivy was only here for a few days anyway, so she wasn’t going to worry too much about it.

  “That’s not what I’m saying. I just think whatever it was it’s not worth the discord. You two always make things bigger than what they need to be,” said Savannah.

  “Savannah, don’t get in the middle. It’s not your battle. Besides, you have far more to worry about than a silly, little argument between Bridgette and me.” Ivy let out a yawn. The Ambien she’d taken before her shower combined with the glasses of red wine she’d consumed at Savannah’s were starting to wear her down. Her eyes were growing heavier by the minute.

  “Fine. I’ll leave it alone and let you guys work it out on your own. I just don’t want you all having beef with one another, especially not now,” said Savannah and Ivy could hear the weariness in her voice. She was always put in the position of being the peacemaker between she and Bridgette.

  “Who are we? Biggie and Tupac? There’s no beef,” said Ivy, and Savannah chuckled. “It’s all good.”
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br />   Ivy saw an incoming text message flash at the top of the screen of her iPhone from Kean Hawkins, a NBA player with the Philadelphia 76ers. She’d been seeing him on and off for about a year whenever he came to Atlanta to visit his family or had a game there. He had a young daughter who lived there as well.

  “Hey baby,” Ivy heard Savannah say, which meant Julius had come home.

  “Your hubby finally brought his hind parts home, I see. So, I’ll let you go. I love you and I’ll see you tomorrow,” said Ivy, stifling another yawn.

  “Love you too, sissy. Good night.”

  After ending her call with her sister, Ivy tapped the screen of her phone to pull up her messages.

  Hey pretty lady. In the ATL. Playing the Hawks tomorrow. Be here ‘til Sunday. Want to come to the game? We can have dinner after.

  A smile spread across Ivy’s face. It would’ve been good to see Kean because it had been a few months since she’d seen him last, but between basketball season and all the travel time she burned flying from one city to the next, it was a miracle they got to see each other at all. But, the great thing about them not being in a relationship—at least a committed one is it wasn’t an issue for either of them. They just enjoyed each other’s company when they got the chance to.

  In the Queen City with my family. Talk tomorrow, after game? Ivy responded with a few, quick taps on the screen.

  He replied with a sad face emoji. And then, Look forward to hearing that cute, ‘lil country voice. Haha!!

  Really? I know you’re not talking with that deep Nawlins drawl. Boy, bye! Ivy typed as she chuckled. They exchanged a few more playful text messages before finalizing plans to talk the next day.

  Ivy was drained from being on planes over the past month, and then coming home to find out about her sister’s cervical cancer diagnosis that she couldn’t think about anything but sleeping. She put her iPhone in Do Not Disturb mode and said her nightly prayers, especially for Savannah before snuggling under the softness of the down comforter. It felt good to be sleeping in her own bed instead of in a hotel. She didn’t care how many stars they were rated or how expensive, there was nothing like being in your own space. With everything that was on her mind, she would welcome sleep tonight. She thought about one of her mother’s favorite scriptures, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

  Chapter Six

  B

  ridgette moaned as her husband massaged her shoulders and then traveled slowly down her back. Her eyes were closed as Nick’s strong hands kneaded her soft flesh, and she could feel some of the stress of her day releasing from her body.

  “Baby, that feels so good. Those hands have been touched by God,” Bridgette cooed. Nick chuckled. Bridgette lay in their bed on her stomach as he straddled her from behind, her head resting comfortably on a pillow. She’d just enjoyed a much-needed, relaxing, hot bath and this massage from her husband was like one of her delectable desserts from Sugar Rush, sweet and satisfying.

  Bridgette had been feeling some type of way since learning about her sister’s cancer diagnosis that day along with arguing with Ivy. It hadn’t been the day she’d been looking forward to, which was spending time with her baby sisters. It was unimaginable that their day would end the way it had with them all in tears.

  “I know it’s difficult, but I want you to try and relax,” said Nick.

  “Now, that’s going to be easier said than done, honey. I still can’t believe it. Savannah is so young. I’m worried how this will affect her. So many of her dreams have been about having a husband and children.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be okay. Savannah’s a trooper. And, she has the support of family and Jules. He’s a great guy,” said Nick.

  “He is. I won’t argue with you about that,” said Bridgette. She felt her husband’s hands relax. She turned her head to look back at him. “Why’d you stop?” Bridgette asked. Nick had moved from her to his side of the bed. Bridgette turned her body to get a full view of him as he lay on his back with his hands behind his head and his eyes closed.

  “I feel a ‘but’ coming on. What’s on your mind, Bridgette?” Nick inquired.

  “A lot is on my mind, honey. My baby sister has cancer,” Bridgette responded. She was propped up on her elbow with the side of her face resting in her open palm.

  Nick opened his eyes and gazed into hers. “I can see that. I can also see your brain cells working overtime in your head. You’re already trying to figure out how you can try and fix it,” said Nick.

  “That’s my baby sister, so of course I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

  Nick grunted. Bridgette sat up in bed and peered at her husband. She’d been married to him for ten years, so she knew it meant he was frustrated.

  “What is it, Nick? Just say it,” Bridgette implored.

  “Look. It’s been a long day for the both of us. Let’s just get some shut eye and pick this up in the morning,” said Nick. He reached up and placed a kiss on her cheek and Bridgette accepted it, but it wasn’t the end of the conversation; at least not for her.

  “I know you have something you want to say, and we’ve always agreed that we were never going to leave things unsaid because one of us may not wake up the next morning, and there will never be another chance to say them,” said Bridgette, her arms now crossed.

  Nick pulled himself into a sitting position on the bed and looked at her. “I know you’re worried about your sister, and I am too. I love Savannah just the same, but I caution you not to overstep your bounds. She’s a married woman now, so you’ve got to let Julius do what he promised he’d do when he stood up at that altar and repeated those vows,” said Nick.

  “I hear you,” Bridgette murmured.

  Nick shook his head. “There’s that ‘but’ I can hear again.”

  “There’s no ‘but’, honey. I understand everything that you said. All I’m saying is that I’m going to be there for my sister. So, I know you don’t expect anything less.”

  “Of course, I don’t, baby. That goes without saying. We’ll all do what we need to do to support Savannah and Julius. But, you have to let them deal with this as a unit. It’s going to be tough, but I’m confident that they’ll get through it.”

  “I’m prayerful,” Bridgette remarked.

  Nick pulled her into his chest and Bridgette closed her eyes as she listened to the beating of his heart. She said a silent prayer for her sister.

  Chapter Seven

  I

  t had been two weeks since Savannah’s cervical cancer diagnosis and a few days since she’d gone to see her oncologist who’d shattered what little hope she’d had of ever feeling a baby kick inside of her. She was scheduled for a hysterectomy in a few weeks and then she’d have to undergo chemotherapy and radiation shortly thereafter. Savannah had mostly been in bed since her dreams of motherhood had been extinguished. It was too much work to get up and go about her day like everything in her life was normal because it wasn’t and it never would be.

  She loved her job as an elementary school principal and had worked hard to become one of the few women, especially at her age to hold that position there. She’d started off as the vice principal almost two years ago at Briar Oaks Elementary School, and when the last principal retired, she was the first person considered, and she’d happily accepted.

  She enjoyed her daily interactions with her young students, and being responsible for making sure they thrived in a safe and nurturing environment. But she didn’t have the energy mentally or physically that it required, so she’d informed her vice principal that she had an urgent family matter that needed her attention and she’d need a few days off. She was emotionally drained and that affected her day-to-day interaction, especially with her husband and sisters. She had begun to shun everyone she loved, consumed by the news of her impending loss to bare children and her fear of the unknown from the cancer itself.

  Julius had offered to take a few days off as well to make sure that Savannah was okay,
which was surprising to her because he seemed to always be at work, but she’d declined it. As much as she loved her husband and was grateful that he wanted to be by her side, she wanted to be alone, so he relented, but Savannah could see the worry that was now etched in his face every time he looked at her.

  “Savannah, baby. You have to eat something.” Julius was sitting next to her on the bed. Savannah was buried under the covers with the top of the duvet covering her head. Julius had come home at lunchtime to check on her and to try and get her to eat, something he’d been doing for the past few days, but she hadn’t had much of an appetite.

  “I’m not hungry,” Savannah responded, her voice muffled.

  Julius rubbed the satiny mound of her body over the duvet and sighed. “Savannah. You can’t keep this up. I know you’re upset, but everything is going to be all right.”

  Savannah snatched the covers back from her head looking at her husband for the first time since he’d entered their bedroom. Her eyes were full of tears that now seemed to be a permanent part of her.

  “I really wish everyone would stop saying that. I don’t need you all to pacify me,” Savannah snapped, her tears spilling over.

  Julius reached out to comfort her, but she moved away from him.

  “We’re just worried about you, baby. You haven’t been eating and you’ve been holed up in this bed for the last few days. You need food and some fresh air,” said Julius.

  “I’m not a dog, Julius. So, stop trying to treat me like one,” Savannah sniped, wiping her tears.

  “I’m just trying to help, baby. I’m not trying to upset you,” said Julius, his voice heavy with weariness.

  “You can help me by leaving. I just want to go back to sleep.” Savannah yanked the covers back over her head.