The pan sizzled from the heat and Alexis's mind flew to the crocodile in the story being sizzled up like a sausage. Thinking of Owen made her smile.
"Do you think you'll have any more kids?" Alexis asked.
"Hello, no," Betsy said, throwing a slice of tomato on her grilled cheese. "That ship has sailed."
"Well, you have some pretty cute sailors."
Betsy studied her sister. "If it helps any, I understood, you know, why you were unhappy here."
"Apparently because I thought I was too good for all of you."
"Oh c'mon, that was anger talking. I'm allowed to be angry that my sister ran full throttle away from her family. How did you expect me to feel? Happy? Rejection stings."
"I guess I didn't really think you'd care. We weren't exactly close."
"No shit, but it doesn't mean it has to stay that way forever."
"I'll admit, it's been nice having a sister to talk to."
"Nice? For me, it's been awesome." Betsy flipped the sandwiches. "Nobody gets annoyed with Mom and Dad the way we do. Even Joe." She laughed, thinking about her husband's occasional frustrations with her parents. "I want a permanent bitchfest partner. Are you in?"
The sisters locked eyes and, in that moment, Alexis knew that they had reached a sisterly accord. "I'm going to be a good aunt to your boys," she promised.
"I know. Otherwise, you'd be making your own damn sandwich."
Betsy flipped over the sandwiches one more time, the pan hissed again, and
Alexis was comforted by the sounds of home.