back to reality

"OK..OK..calm down." Ellie could hardly make out what Syd was saying over the phone. "I'll be right over." She had a feeling... maybe Syd just needed a morning to herself before she went off to work in the afternoon.

Ellie packed up the left over coffee cake her sister gave her and went over to Syd and Eric's. It was a nice morning. Perhaps Charlie was a little to frisky, but they made the jaunt in record time before any of them even knew the temps were dropping.

"It can't be that bad." Ellie poured herself some coffee while she situated Charlie with some of Evan's Legos. They usually played well together.

"I'm so mad at him!" Syd was crying at the kitchen table, still in her yoga pants and pink tank. "He wouldn't even come to this potluck ..that I..I had to put together! Why? Why is it always, me? I have to do everything."

"Maybe you should just stay out of it. This whole Amanda thing. You've bent over backwards, as it is. You made an effort. If Eric's gonna be all Mr. High and Mighty ..whatnot..about you trying to get Amanda to see her kids..." Ellie had to get Zoe out the trash. Suddenly she felt she'd had a brain fart. She drew a blank at what her point might be. "What I'm getting at...Just don't let this be an issue for you and Eric. You've got enough to deal with."

Syd nodded.

"Its not worth it. Getting mad at him. Look, he's gotta good job now. He's supporting all of you. You don't even have to work." Ellie told her. "But I know you want to. And ..and..."

"We've got an opening down at the dental office." Syd stared at her blankly.

Ellie thought she might choke on her coffee.

"It would be mornings, though." Syd sounded as if that would be a bummer.

"Honestly? Mornings?" Ellie smiled. "That would be perfect." She thought of how she needed to be home for Hannah in the afternoons. "Of course, I dunno..if..if I could..you know..do it."

"Sure you could." Syd grinned. "I'll teach you everything you need to know."

"When?" Ellie smiled with a wince.

"Like right now." Syd shrugged.