'So your long lost sister has resurfaced after twenty-five years. That's no reason to keep moping around the house.' Pugsley hopped off of the sofa and skittered across the spotless kitchen floor where Keelin was sitting at the table with her head in her hands. This was the first moment that she really had alone in her apartment since Saturday morning. Since Kahlan had arrived outside of her door and looking for a place to stay. Keelin still had no idea how to begin handling the sudden arrival of her older sister. Logically, part of her wanted to remain skeptical and keep the other Australian at arm's length. Emotionally, though, Kahlan was something from her past that she never thought she would see again. And showing up after being so brutally insulted by Brandon the night before? Keelin was truly struggling, which meant that not even a speck of dust could be found in the apartment. She shifted so that her chin was resting on her hand and glanced down at her familiar. "I'm not moping. I went to work today and I have things to grade."
'Yeah, no. Your pen isn't even open and sitting there with your eyes closed cannot be good for your students' papers. Why are you so hesitant about your sister being here? I mean, she seemed happy enough to see you the other day. And she's going to have a baby! Which means you'll be an aunt one day! What's so wrong with that?'
Keelin pushed a heavy sigh out and rolled up the sleeves of her sweater. "It's difficult, Pugsley. I can't just be cheery and ecstatic. It's been twenty-five years. It's --" A knock at the door stopped her words from coming out. She looked up at the door, wondering who was on the other side. What if Kahlan was back? Or what if Kylie had suddenly tracked her down too? Keelin didn't think she could handle having both of her sisters thrown in into her life. Kahlan also brought with her so many questions that Keelin didn't have the heart to ask. What about their mother? Or Kylie for that matter; had she heard from their eldest sibling?
'The door's not going to answer itself.' She nodded and walked over to the door, taking a deep breath before she turned the knob and pulled the door open. She didn't know what she expected, but seeing Reggie with an odd looking smile on his face was not at all what she had imagined. Two things happened at once when Keelin saw Reggie; relief flooded through her and she was completely thrilled to see him there, but guilt and dread mixed in with that rush because she realized how long it had been since she had spoken to Reggie and she owed him an explanation.
"Hey," She hoped more relief shone through her smile than the other conflicting emotions. "D'you want to come in?" Oh she hoped he would. His smile didn't quite reach his eyes and Keelin knew that she had really messed up.