Lorrie and Corrie (F)

I slip my foot into Lorrie's right golf shoe. A perfect fit. Another disease I didn't come down with. I look around the room. Golfing, I mean. The upstairs t.v. room she calls it. Called it. Her trophies. The photos.

Jack told me he couldn't come up yet. Just not ready. "It's okay. I understand," I told him. "I'll do it."

Two consecutive junior state-am golf championships. Three senior state-am championships.

Three junior club championships in tennis, two in golf. Two senior club championships in tennis.

The doubles tournament we won our junior year. "Come on," she said. "It will be fun." "Just this time." "It will be fun, promise." It was sort of fun. And we won. Of course we won. Lorrie lose? Please.

"Be sweet to your baby sister," Mom said. "Mom, it was only 28 minutes." "I don't care, young lady, be sweet."

And the swimming. Meet after meet, summer after summer, until she got bored. Ten, no eleven. At least I had that for another three years. 

Maid of honor at her wedding. Those photos are downstairs in the den.

"Your sister is what she is, you are what you are," Mom said. "But you two have a different kind of bond. You don't have to like it, but you two do. Be kind to your baby sister." 

I slip off the shoe. "Help Jack as much as you can. He's going to be a mess. Please." She patted my hand as she spoke.

Yes, Jack's a mess. I don't think Diane really understands. Little D I call her. Aunt C she calls me. She sat on my lap during the service. I brought her back here to spare her the burial. 

I sigh. Oh, Lorrie, what now? 

Bill calls up the stairs. "Honey, are you all right?" "Yes! Yes, I'm okay." 

I'm okay? Okay. Not okay. Numb maybe. I don't know what to think. Like I am here and not here. 

"He's a nice man. A really good guy," Lorrie said. "You guys getting married? What is going on with you?" I don't know what is going on. 

"He is obviously sweet and kind."

Yes, sweet and kind. Sweet and kind. Sweet. Kind. Sweet. Kind. Sweet and kind. Sweet and kind. Sweet and kind. The whole damn world is sweet and kind.

Yes, Lorrie was sweet.

Lorrie was kind.

Lyman 2023