“Mom,” Starlight called out. She could hear the television from one of the back bedrooms.
Lily rushed into the living room. “Starlight, what are you doing here?”
Before she could respond, Jayde came into the room. “Aunt Star?”
Starlight smiled. “Come here, girl. Give your auntie a kiss.”
“It’s good to see you, Auntie Star.”
She loosened her embrace. “My goodness, you are growing into such a beautiful young lady.”
Over Jayde’s shoulder, Starlight saw Amber standing with her head down. “Amber, come here so I can see you too.”
Amber smiled and hugged her aunt.
“What are you girls doing here?” Starlight asked as she held them both.
“Mommy and Daddy went away,” Amber said.
Starlight didn’t miss the way Jayde pulled back. She watched her niece walk to the couch.
Amber continued, “We’re staying with Nana.”
“And I bet Nana loves every moment.”
Lily smiled. “Ms. Amber, it’s time for bed.”
Amber set her mouth to protest, and Lily held up her hand. “No complaining, or else you won’t get any ice cream.”
Amber’s eyes widened. “I can have a cup in bed like last time?”
Lily nodded. “Kiss your aunt good-night.”
They hugged, and after Lily and Amber left, Starlight joined Jayde on the couch. She playfully poked her arm. “So how is my favorite teenage niece?”
“I’m your only teenage niece.” Jayde smiled a bit.
“A technicality.” Starlight cocked her head. “You’re not having a good time here?”
Jayde shrugged. “It’s all right.”
Starlight smiled and remembered why she didn’t have children. “Let’s get some ice cream.” Together they went into the kitchen.
When Starlight opened the freezer’s door, she asked, “Where did your parents go?”
“New York.” Jayde slumped at the table.
She pulled out a pint of pink bubblegum ice cream and wondered, Didn’t anyone eat vanilla anymore? “You might want this.” She held the carton in the air for Jayde to see and then searched for another package.
“What are they doing in New York?” Starlight asked as Jayde went to the cabinets for bowls.
“Mom wouldn’t tell me.”
Starlight’s frown wasn’t for the almond mocha truffle ice cream carton that she’d found. “Was it business?” she asked as they scooped spoonfuls into the dishes.
Jayde shrugged. “I don’t know. But I think it was pretty bad. Mom and Dad have been acting weird.”
Starlight lifted her eyebrows, but remained silent. She knew when to talk—and when to listen.
Jayde continued when they sat at the table. “I think they’re mad at each other.”
Starlight nodded as if she understood. “They’re having problems?” It didn’t make her feel good that she smiled inside.
Jayde slumped in her chair and shrugged.
Starlight knew that Jayde’s information door had closed. But she had enough. “I’m sure it’s okay.” She paused. “How’s school? Tell me about the cute boys.”
Jayde’s smile returned. “I met someone who knew all about you.”
As Jayde told her aunt about Donald, Starlight kept her eyes on her niece, but her thoughts had wandered. So Grace and Conner were having problems. They’d been so good together that Starlight believed their past would never come back. But actually, she wasn’t surprised. That old boyfriend of Grace’s had probably reared his head again.
“Did you leave out this ice cream?” Lily asked.
Starlight didn’t even notice her mother come into the kitchen.
“Sorry,” she and Jayde said at the same time.
Lily chuckled and filled another bowl with pink bubblegum ice cream. “Do me a favor, Jayde. Take this to your sister while I talk to your aunt, please.”
Jayde stood. “Aunt Star, will you let me know when you’re leaving?”
“Sure, sweetie.”
As soon as Jayde disappeared, Starlight said, “So give me the scoop on Grace and Conner.”
“They went to New York on business.”
“Jayde said Grace and Conner are having problems.”
“That’s not true.”
Starlight stared at her mother, trying to determine if she was just protecting her sweet Grace. It didn’t matter. She had enough information already. “Anyway, Mom, I wanted to remind you that I won’t be by on Saturday. I have that conference.”
Lily leaned forward, eager to hear the details of the Sisters of the Sun conference, and Starlight obliged. It felt good to see the gleam in her mother’s eyes. Lily whooped when Starlight mentioned that Pastor Carey’s wife would attend.
“I’m so proud of you,” Lily exclaimed. “If I didn’t have the girls, I would come.”
“That’s okay, Mom,” Starlight said as she put her bowl into the dishwasher. “I’ll fill you in next week.” She hugged her mother. “I’ve got to go. I have an early day tomorrow.”
“Don’t forget to say good-bye to Jayde.”
Starlight glanced toward the hall. “Give them both a kiss for me.” She rushed into the hallway before Lily could protest.
As she ran down the stairs, a welter of emotions stirred inside. She couldn’t say she was pleased Grace and Conner were having challenges. But if they were, it just proved what she’d been saying all along: there was really no difference between them. Maybe when Grace came home, she’d invite her to lunch. There were many lessons that she could pass on to her younger sister. This might just be what they needed to draw them closer.
She slid into the back seat of her car, and before her driver took his seat, she punched a number on her cell phone.
“Where are you?” she asked the moment the phone was answered.
“Where do you want me to be?” Lexington responded.
Good answer, she thought. “In my bed in thirty minutes.” She clicked off the phone.
There was no need to spend the entire night thinking about Conner and Grace. She’d help her sister when Grace returned from New York. In the meantime, she had her own life to live.