Dear Journal:
The moment I was dreading came last night. I was in the living room watching Pluribus. Mom and Dad had gone to bed, and sissy was on a date with Chip, so I was enjoying the alone time and unfettered access to the remote.
Then, about 11, I heard the garage door. I figured Sissy would be out until at least midnight.
So much for my alone time.
When she came inside, I hoped she’d go upstairs quietly. Instead, she lingered at the base of the stairs. I tried to ignore her and focus on the show, but I could feel her eyes burrowing into me. After about 10 seconds, I pressed pause.
“What’s up?”
Sissy was wearing black shorts with a white stripe running along the side and a gray pullover crew. Her hair was damp, and several locks were matted against her flushed face.
“How was your date?” I asked when she didn’t immediately respond.
“I was at the gym,” Sissy said, emphasizing her words with a swig from a neon orange squeeze bottle. “Do I look like I’ve been on a date?”
Kind of, I thought. I just figured she’d outgrown her date clothes and that sex was getting more strenuous. I didn’t say that, though. Instead, I just shrugged.
“I’m not dating Chip anymore anyway,” she added.
“What happened?”
“We’re just friends. He was just doing me a favor for prom,” sissy said, taking another swig from her bottle.
Based on what she told me over brownies that night, she did him quite a few favors in return. There must be more to the story. You don’t do the things they did in the locker room if you’re “just friends.” You could be arrested in some countries.
I nodded. “He seemed too dorky for you anyway.”
Sissy nearly did a spit-take, needing her free hand to hold in her latest sip. After a hard swallow, she said, “I know, right?”
At this point, I figured my alone time was over, so I leaned into the good sister act. “Do you want to watch with me? It’s a pretty good show.”
“I’ve seen it.” Nevertheless, she sat down on the sofa, her thick thighs melting like butter against the firm leather. “I actually wanted to talk to you for a sec.”
“Shoot.”
Sissy took another long drag from her bottle. She was stalling and needed the oral fixation. Too bad she wasn't holding a milkshake.
“This isn’t easy for me,” she finally said, staring at the frozen image on the TV. “But I want to say I’m sorry.
“For what?”
“For being a bitch. For making you my punching bag the last few years.”
I smiled and shrugged again. “I was a pretty easy target.”
“That makes it worse. I could’ve helped you. I should’ve helped you. Instead, I piled on.”
I didn’t need or want Michelle’s help. I should’ve said as much, but I just nodded like an idiot.
“But you didn’t do that to me,” sissy continued, a sad little smile forming on her beautifully cherubic face. “You didn’t pile on me when I was down.”
Actually, I did pile on. With every calorie-laden Starbucks or donut I brought her, I piled on. Sissy was on a roll, though, so I didn’t argue.
“You had every right to. You could have told mom and dad about…well…a lot of things. But you didn’t. And you never once teased me for gaining weight.” Sissy cocked her head, a sly little smile playing on her lips. “Well, outside that one night in the van.”
Oh, yeah. The night I poked sissy’s pudge and called her “fatty” after that soccer game she was benched for. Good times!
“It’s not that noticeable,” I said.
“Yeah,” sissy choked. “Sure.”
“Look,” I said, remembering Dr. Chen’s words from a couple of months ago. “Why don’t you come walking with me tomorrow morning? I usually do about three miles. We can…talk.”
“I’d like that,” sissy said, her sly smile turning wistful. “Thanks.” Then she stood and headed for the stairs. “Goodnight, sis. I appreciate your help.”
“Goodnight.”
I didn’t say “you’re welcome” because I had no intention of helping. I intended to pour gasoline on a smoldering fire.
When she was gone, I returned my attention to the show. None of the characters seemed to realize that the invading aliens were killing them with kindness. That they were making them fat and happy, so they’d be easier to slaughter later.
Hopefully, sissy’s just as stupid.