Before I am Famous

photo used by permission check here

Walking into the empty courtroom, he watched the sun dance on the polished oak furniture. The last time he stepped into a courtroom was thirty years ago, the very last day he saw his brother.

***
Tonight was supposed to be special because Mom made spaghetti. She only made spaghetti on holidays and birthdays. Dad asked him and his brother to come to the picnic table. “Look boys, I got the clock to work,” he said to them.

Frank looked at the neon Miller Lite clock. The beautiful woman sat atop her crescent moon throne holding a beer. The clock was his dad’s latest find while junking. The tick tick melody carried on without a cricket chorus. He sat next to his brother, prickly grass tickled his bare legs. All of the kids were inside for the night. The trailer park was oddly silent. There were no heated arguments between cheating lovers and kids aggravating boyfriends of single moms while she was at work.

The door opened and Mom came out carrying a pot of spaghetti and paper plates. Out of breath, she set the pot down and served each person giving herself the biggest portion. They ate with the ticking of the clock.

Dad cleared his throat, “boys we have to tell you something and it’s very serious.”

Sam slurped his saucy noodles. Frank, 11, put down his fork and listened, “what’s up dad?” Mom lit a smoke.

“Well you know times have been tough since all we have is your mom’s social security check. We just can’t afford to give you the things that you guys deserve.”

“Tell them,” Mom interjected.

“We think it’s best if we give you guys up.”

Frank jumped up from the table, “I don’t want to go back. I can work. I can mow people’s grass. I can get a job. Don’t send us away.”

“It’s for the best,” Mom said.

A couple of days later they were dressed in the best clothes they owned and hauled in the family clunker to the court house.

Frank watched their parents sign some papers. The judge smacked the gavel, suited ladies from Children and Youth took Sam’s hand. He cried for mom. Another lady tugged on Frank’s arm. Frank yelled, “you can’t take him away, he’s my brother, he’s only four. I’m all he has.”

“Sorry Frank but Sam has been placed with prospective parents,” his social worker told him. As they left, Frank heard Sam crying for mom, for dad and for himself.
***

Various people filed in the court room giving it life. His lawyer shook his hand, “Frank this is going to be straightforward. We just need to do our i’s and cross our t’s just in case your brother or his adoptive parents want to sue.”

The judge signed the court order and the gavel went down and this time he would be reunited with his brother.
***

Once they heard about the potential for a genetic illness, Sam’s adoptive parents were happy to help. He no longer was Sam but Thomas Junior or TJ. TJ and family lived outside of Detroit. Frank boarded a plane to Michigan. A two-hour fligh gives a man plenty of time to think.
***
Until his parent’s signed him and Sam off, life was always tough. There never was enough food. Dad had a job once in awhile. Santa managed to bring two presents and when Sam came along each got one gift. What did they do, his parents that is, wake up one day and decide to ship their kids away? Why did they fight to have them back in the first place?

A year prior to the end of their family, Children and Youth took away Frank and Sam because they were neglected. Dad got a job and they fought to get them back. The court relented and the boys went back to their parents. Sure their foster parents bought them loads of new stuff but they were truly happy when the case worker brought them back to the trailer. Mom made spaghetti that night. She made spaghetti before they were given away. Frank never did eat spaghetti again.
***
Frank parked the rental in front of the brick row homes and tried gathering his nerve to see his brother he hasn’t seen in decades. Preteen girls went in and out of the house. Then Sam came out; heavy set like mom but tall like Dad. Opening the door, he stepped on the street. Sam went back in. Frank took a deep breath and straightened out his clothes. He knocked on the door, a beautiful red head answered, “can I help you?”

“I’m here to see Sam. I mean Thomas Junior,” Frank mumbled. Sam appeared behind his wife.

“He’s looking for you,” she said.

Sam opened the door and came onto the porch. Frank extended his hand, “I don’t know if you’ll remember me but I’m Frank your brother.” Sam didn’t speak. “When you were four, our parents gave us away. I’m sure you don’t remember because you were a little kid and all but…”

“No I remember. Why are you here now? Why didn’t you come around when you were 18?” Sam asked.

“Closed adoptions. I had a court order to open your records because I needed to find you.”
“Why’s that?”

“I have been diagnosed with hemochromatosis. It is a genetic blood disorder. If they catch early enough there are treatments available,” Frank explained, “You should be tested.”

“Mm hmm. Okay, well thanks for telling me,” Sam replied.

A blonde haired girl about 12 bounded up the porch. She looked right at Frank, “you look a lot like Dad. Are you his twin?” she asked.

“No Tia,” Sam started, “this is your Uncle Frank.”

“I thought you were an only child,” she quipped.

“It’s a long story,” Frank answered.

“Tia, get your sisters. Frank come in for a beer and tell me and them everything you remember.”

After hand shaking and the formalities, Sam gave Frank a Miller Lite and he shared the story from the beginning.

***
Frank ate two plates of spaghetti. He never spaghetti tasted so good. Sam and Frank moved to the porch and watched the kids play stickball in the street.

Sam took a swig of beer, “what did you with your life?”

“College, wife, kids,” Frank replied, “you know living the American dream.”

“How many kids?”

“Two. My oldest, Liz, is a freshman in college and my youngest, Sam, is a sophomore in high school.”

“You named your son after me?”

“Jill thought of it,” Frank answered. “How was your life?”

“I guess you met my parents. They are greatest people I ever met. I have a good life. I moved out here after high school to work for Ford. I met Sandy and her three daughters. We got married and had Tia.”

“I guess we did better than expected,” Frank mentioned. “Maybe it was for the best.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah who knows we could’ve ended up like them- a bunch of losers.”

“Ever think about them?” Sam inquired.

“Sometimes. I have a lot of questions. I used to be angry with them but Jill helped me through my issues.”

“I wonder if they are still together.”

“Who knows? She might be dead by now. She used to smoke a pack or more a day plus she had diabetes. Sometimes, I’d like to find them and show how successful I am but I know Dad would turn it around and say he was right.”

“Let’s find out,” Sam suggested.

“What do you mean?”

“With the internet.”

Frank nodded and followed Sam inside. He punched in their names and their address appeared. Both stared at the names residing in Ohio. “You know that’s probably only a few hours drive. We should go and talk to them,” Sam offered.

“Why?”

“To put it to rest. The wife, she watches Oprah and she’s always saying crap like that. Anyway what could it hurt? Think of it as a brother to brother thing since we never had those bonding times.”

“I don’t know,” Frank started.

“We’ll leave tomorrow at seven,” Sam told him.

***
By noon the following day, the brothers reached Holtsville, Ohio. Sam navigated through the town and farmland to the street where they lived. The stone street wove through maples to a small cul-de-sac where five little houses sat in the sun.

At number 2502 Rocky Lane, two elderly people sat on the porch.

“There they are,” Sam said.

Their mother still heavy had an oxygen tank. Their father still skinny now was bald. The driveway to their house was packed with cars. Sam parked the truck on the side of the road. Shaking slightly, each got out and started toward them. Their father noticed and stood. A young girl burst out the door yelling, “Grampa, mommy won’t let me . . . ”

A thin woman followed, “Dad, where are the batteries for Samantha’s toy?”

The brothers looked at one another and retreated to the truck. Before Frank shut the door, he heard his father yell, “Frank, Sam wait.” He started for them. Sam started the truck, turned it around and sped out of the lane. They started back to Detroit, neither spoke until they were in Michigan.

“Sam, you should come to Massachusetts with the family and spend a week or two,” Frank offered.

“TJ if you don’t mind and I’m sure that will be okay with Sandy.”

“That’s bull shit how dare they have another kid after they tossed us away,” Frank yelled. Sam said nothing but gripped the steering wheel. “How do they live with themselves? Well at least we have families that won’t throw us away.”

“That’s right big brother and we have each other. So who gives a shit about them?”

“I don’t”

“I don’t either, never really have,” TJ added. He pulled into his parking space.

“TJ, you’ll come to Massachusetts won’t you?” Frank asked.

“Why don’t you all come for Christmas?” he replied.

“We’ll be here.” They got out and hugged.

“See you at Christmas,” Frank said as he got into his car.

A special thanks to A Thousand Words for making it all come together!!

photo used by permission click here for details.

Lifting up the corner of the page, he peeled the plastic and took out the photo. He stared at under the dim as he poured himself another scotch. He ran his forefinger down the wedding photo. The door opened, a woman’s voice called.

“Renee is that?” he asked. The lights came on illuminating the Kaylena “Kays what are you doing here?” he asked surprised.

“I came to see how you were doing,” she said, plopping on the sofa beside him.

Kaylena and Renee could pass twins except for the ten year difference. Each sister had chestnut hair streaked with blonde and mahogany highlights. Kaylena smiled.

“Why aren’t you with your sister?”

“Half sister and should I be?” she retorted.

“Isn’t that what sisters do?”

“I don’t know, do they?”

Because of their age difference, Renee and Kaylena weren’t close. Their mother had Renee at 16. By the time Kaylena was born, Renee had her own separate life away from the adorable baby.

Kaylena snatched the picture from his fingers, “kind of a weird picture. Where’s your heads?”

He snatched it back, “it is supposed to show our love because we are holding hands.” He crumpled the picture and tossed it against the wall, “love is so over-rated.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Kays replied. She turned the page to a picture of herself and Jim dancing at the reception. “Remember that Jimbo? You were the first boy I danced with.”

He smiled, “except for your dad/”

“He doesn’t count. You were the first man to dance with me that I’m not related to.”

“I am,” he took another drink, “I was.”

“Not really anyway.”

Jim gazed at the photo of him and Kaylena. Even at ten he saw the beauty she would grow into. Renee stunned men and she knew it. One smile, one bat of her long eye lashes and the people flocked to her as if she were a celebrity. All it took for Jim was her smile and after months of her smiles he gathered enough nerve to ask her out.

They seemed to fit lock and key. After the honeymoon, Jim learned who Renee really was. But he loved her and forgave her for everything she did and did everything he could to please her because that’s he thought marriage was about- unconditional love.

Looking at the radiant Kaylena, he asked, “how did a dorky kid turn into a woman like you?”

“I’m the same except I’m taller and I have boobs,” Kays answered. “Hey you remember that song that was playing?”

“Uh huh, Time after Time by Cyndi Lauper.”

She got up from the sofa and looked at the cd’s. After finding what she sought, Kays put the cd in and cranked the volume.

“Turn it down, Kays. The neighbors will complain,” he said and took another drink.

She placed her hand on top of his glass, “dance with me for old time’s sake.”

“You promise not to step on my toes?” he asked standing.

Her soft hand intertwined with his rough hand, “it’s different now. I’m not a kid.”

She led him to the middle of the living room. Their dance started platonic with space between them. Their hands wrapped together and he placed his other hand on her lower back. Cyndi sang and she moved closer into his embrace, laying her head on his shoulder. The song ended and she pulled away slightly and their eyes danced.

Renee who? Jim thought as he bent down and accepted the unsaid invitation to meet her natural lips. His heart flipped-flopped and pushed her away, “I’m so sorry, Kays. I didn’t mean to- maybe the booze or missing Renee.”

She held onto his hand, “don’t say you’re sorry because I’m not. I came over here to tell you that Renee may be beautiful and the supposed love of your life but I love you. Maybe I didn’t love you when I was ten but I loved you long enough. Maybe you could try loving me.”

“I do love you, just-” he started.

Kays flopped back on the sofa, “I don’t want excuses. Tell me one reason why we can’t start from the beginning and see where it goes.”

“You’re in early 20’s and I’m in my 30’s. You have to finish college, party, experience life. Anyway Renee and I were your age when got married and look where are now- in the middle of a divorce,” Jim explained.

“Jim, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not Renee.”

He sat beside her and put his arm around her, “I know. I’m sorry.”

“Jim, kiss me again and if you feel nothing then we’ll go on as friends.”

“I don’t know Kays.”

Taking the initiative, she pulled his lips to hers. His hands moved to her back and held her close. Kays ran her fingers through his hair. His lips moved to her neck and ears. Their panted hot breaths raced over their bodies. He stopped.

“Tell me you didn’t feel anything,” she said.

“I can’t say that.”

“Jim, I’m not asking for marriage just dinner or a movie then taking it from there. But I wouldn’t say no to marriage. I just can’t imagine saying goodbye to you,” she said.

“Then don’t because you could be the one I’ve been searching for.”

Thanks A Thousand Words for the inspiration!

photo by Scott Liddell

A week after the surgery, the bandages came off. Nurse Sarah, who had been with her from the beginning, let her alone in the room. Jacelyn’s shaky hand slid down her chest and she looked down.

***
Sexy, killer- eyes Randy and she were good friends since high school. Jacelyn introduced him to his first wife. To use the cliche, it was love at first sight at least to Jacelyn because in a few short months they were married.

She knew Randy wanted the cozy family complete with the 9-5 job, cozy little house, nice neighbors, some kids and maybe a dog. Randy asked Jacelyn first to be his wife but she wanted to party.

Jacelyn partied, men adored her and she craved a carefree life. Men took her on exotic trips and bought her expensive clothes. She had the good life. She loved her job at the clothing store.

One by one her friends married and settled down. By 27 Randy and Yvonne divorced, at Yvonne’s request. Five years passed since Randy and Jacelyn spent time together. He called her one day and their friendship reignited.

Something changed in Jacelyn’s heart when she saw Randy again, the time they spent laughing and they way he gazed upon her. The time when they went for a walk and he kissed her, they shared each other’s first kiss. Jacelyn’s feelings developed. She asked him how he felt about her. He said he loved her but wanted someone to be with and not for one night.

Two months before the surgery, she called him to go to the bar, he agreed. They danced together but the pains got worse. When they sat down, she popped some Tylenol.

“Jace, how long have you been in pain?” he asked with concern.

“Oh I don’t know for a couple of months now.”

He grabbed her hands, “ Jace, promise you’ll go to the doctor as soon as possible.”

“I will.” He kissed her hands.
***
Genetic predisposition. That was what the doctors told her.

She screamed at the balding specialist with tranquil and patient eyes, “How could this be? I’m only 29. Doesn’t this happen to older people?”

“The chances are greater with older women but anyone can develop it,” he tried to explain,

Visions of losing her hair and incessant vomiting overtook her thoughts, “what are my options?”

“Well I think we can skip the chemo and opt for surgery.”

Removing a couple of lumps comforted Jacelyn, “that’s not too bad, I guess.”

“Jacelyn, I’m suggesting a mastectomy of both breasts. It is your only chance to be cancer free.”
***
Tears fell from her eyes onto her empty chest. How would anyone love half a woman? Shortly before she turned 14, her breasts developed and her own powers discovered. For 15 years she enjoyed the life her breasts gave her. Maybe she should have married any of the men who asked her. Her life as she saw it was over, a lonely lady with only men nasties to choose from.

The door opened. Picking up her head and looking over, she saw red roses and a balloon with white letters spelling out “I love you.” Behind the roses was sexy, killer eyes Randy, smiling, “hey Jace.”

She smiled amidst her bereavement.

Thanks to A Thousand Words for the inspiration!!!

The thick smoky air engulfed the pair. The woman, a robust black haired woman with tattoos down her arm coughed and faced the man, a skinny non tattooed man. They heard the firemen yell for people but the building was coming down. The elevator shrieked in protest from the unsteady building. They both knew the firemen were standing 2 floors above them the doors opened.

“Will you do it?” he asked her once more.

“I don’t know,” she coughed again, “why not you?”

“I want you be rescued. I owe you that much after how I treated you in the conference room.” he hacked.

Something metal hit the roof of the elevator, the box scooted down another a couple fo inches. The pair wanted to scream but their lungs ached with each breath. They laid on the floor of their death box. She looked up to the escape hatch and hoped they firemen big and strong and fearless would rescue them both.

Her day started as any other coffee and a muffin. Then off to city hall to have the zoning board approve a new dance club she wanted to open. Her heart fluttered as she presented her idea since she has never done this before. Then a man walked in, a member of the zoning committee, a man she knew from way back when dreams were fluid and laughter and love is something they shared with each other. Recognizing each other after 20 years the air turned to ice, she stumbled over her words, she dropped her proposal. His eyes used to be a blue that invited her to play now they were sterile hard and cold.

Once he received a disheveled copy of her proposal he laughed and told the others that her idea was the worst idea that he has ever seen. “what kind of business would she run if she can’t get her act together in front of the zoning committee?” He asked the other members. They seemed to agree. He flashed her a wicked grin and his eyes bore into her soul. She thanked them for their time and her heart broke twice over. Her hands shook out of rage as she hit the button for the elevator. Squeaky footsteps reached her. He stepped inside the elevator and the doors shut.

They made it only three floors when the elevator stopped. Minutes passed and the high pitched siren sounded. More minuted and smells of burning plastic and wood entered their box soon wisps of smoke entered.

He reached for her hand, “I’m sorry about everything,” coughed his throat burned, “I saw you in there and I don’t know what happened. Please do this one thing for me I know I don’t deserve it.”

“What if we get out of here, you’ll be ruined.”

Footsteps resounded on the metal above, the trap door opened but there was no reprieve.

“Make the world right, make me right before I go. I’m not …” he was interrupted by gasping.

A fireman dressed in yellow scooped up the woman in his arms and another pulled her out of the elevator. Seconds that seemed like hours passed and she breathed real air, city stink and all and it never felt so good. Shortly after her, he was pulled out and laid on the stretcher. A sweaty paramedic pulled a sheet over him.

The tears wanted to fall but there was none. As she breathed oxygen she considered his request about righting his wrongs. He wanted salvation and she wanted revenge and thought his last request would do both. She asked to the see mayor because she had information to share with him.

Things were going well for the Neal family. Kevin Neal just got a huge promotion and his wife, Nancy, thrived at her own business. Nancy’s birthday was approaching in a little over a month. Normally he buys her a nice piece of jewelry, and takes her out to a fancy meal and finish the night with champagne and a massage for Nancy. This year he wanted to do something really special. It is not that she didn’t appreciate her typical birthday but it was just that typical. They had a little extra money now, so why not?

He went online and checked out easytobook.com to book a hotel. Once the page loaded he had to figure out where to take Nancy. She always wanted to go to Rome. He browsed through the hotels in Rome. Nancy poked her head in and quickly he switched to his inbox. After several minutes she left again. He went back and searched.

Every hotel was beautiful and there thousands to choose from. He narrowed his choices by using the search box. Soon he found the perfect hotel the Prime Hotel Principe Torlonia Rome The hotel looked like a palace. He believed the price to be worth at about 1200 for an entire week. He booked the room then the airfare. All he had to do now was keep quiet about the trip until they left for the airport. He couldn’t wait to give Nancy thhe best birthday gift ever.

The day had just begun and Mrs. Orzard shuffles the sleepy eyed Monday morning children to the bus stop. The sun sits low in the sky casting a dreamy glow over the horizon. A early June breeze carries the song of the robin on it’s crest. Once she arrives back to her the heavy aroma of strong freshly brewed coffee invites for a cup.

She pours the syrup brew into her over-sized coffee mug she smuggled from the local cafe. Coffee isn’t good if it doesn’t make your hair stand up on end and do double somersaults. The computer is ready and with a sweeping of the mouse it comes alive. Her mailbox is filled with today’s assignments. She looks at the first assignment is it for diet pills online. She brings up hr favorite search engine and searches for blogs to leave comments on.

She doesn’t like the work, she finds it demeaning but it pays the bills. With three kids and a husband who works two jobs but still can’t make ends meet. It is a dirty job but someone has got to do it. Hey they are paying better than minimum wage for her to leave comments. At least she is a not a hooker or selling eggs to science so they are worse things, she thinks and plugs away at the keyboard. By noon she will be done for the day and turn on the television to watch her favorite soaps.

I went to the Chinese restaurant as I always do on Thursdays. Thursday is pay day. Most of the time, I get old take out so I don’t have to eat alone. People always stare when you enjoy a meal on your own. And I am a big guy and I like to eat. When I go there I know my little China flower is working because she answers the phone. Her English isn’t very good but I won’t hold it against her. Her raven hair is always neatly tied in a long pony tail (I would love to run my fingers through that if you know what I mean) she is petite and short and I know that perhaps I might intimidate her some but it doesn’t show. She hands me my box of food, makes soul-burning sincere eye contact and says “thank you see you next week.”

She remembers me and I love that. Tonight the restaurant wasn’t busy and I didn’t call in my order. Instead I gathered my nerve and stopped at the flower shop and bought lilies. I hoped to hell that she was a single gal working for her father, uncle or brother and not her husband. I came in and she was at the cash register, the light from the twinkling chandelier radiated around her like an aura. I told I was eating there and she showed me to a table for two. My heart beat wildly. I am sure she noticed the flowers but said nothing. I couldn’t speak. It was do or die.

I ordered my Thursday fair. With my meal came chopsticks. I said thanks and handed her the lilies. And told her I thought she was beautiful and asked her to dinner. She smiled and took the flowers and said she didn’t know. I wanted to impress her so much, I never used chopsticks before. I slid the slender splinter free wooden rods out the red paper sleeve decorated with golden Chinese characters. My fat fingers fumbled with workings. I saw her watching me.

She started to come over. What would I do if she invited me over for dinner with her family, then I would have to use chopsticks. I went for a piece of General Tso’s chicken. But the chicken didn’t want to enter my mouth, instead I squeezed the chopsticks to hard, the chicken became airborne and hit my China Flower in the face. She stopped. With my cheeks burning, I fumble for a fifty and lay it on the table.

Laughing sweet and melodic came from the direction. she wiped her face off with her apron. She intercepted me before I could run with my tail between my legs and said, “Don’t have to use chopsticks. I would go to dinner anyway with you.” So we made a date and come to think of it I don’t know her name and I don’t think she knows mine. It will be all in faith if she shows up to dinner on Saturday.

this is a story that I used a writing exercise generator try it out if you need to the muse juice flowing!

I was not looking forward to seeing my sister at dinner. Lisa was not the brightest person, so she and I were in the same grade throughout high school because she failed a couple of grades. Lisa was pregnant two times, but she gave those kids up for adoption and she had an abortion when she was fifteen. My friends and I used to make fun of her when she would walk by. Normally, I was the ringleader. She was not intelligent and we were. We knew what condoms were, but she probably did not even know what the word meant. When we both were seniors, she finally had enough and moved out. This started a long process of the family being ripped apart.

Easter 1985 was the first time I was going to see her since graduation two years before. She never came to family gatherings because I was there. My younger brother, Rob, brutally raped and killed another man and he was in a maximum security prison in Utah or Nevada so he was not going to be at my grandmother’s.

My parents and I walked in the very crowded house. Grandmom bounded up, “Happy Easter!” She gave us a big hug and went back to the kitchen. I scanned each room of the house. Lisa was not there yet. Good I thought, maybe she won’t show up. I spoke too soon. The door opened and a tall man holding a curly-haired child walked in with Lisa by his side.

“Mom! Dad!” Lisa squealed with delight. Both of them whipped around with tears in their eyes. I could not even look at her. So I went and found my uncles drinking in the backyard.

Uncle Rick stood up, “Hi Daisy, wanna beer?”

“Sounds good,” I said.

“I have a very big announcement to make at dinner,” Uncle Rick said.

“Oh yeah?”

“I’ll have the whole family in shock,” he said.

“I am looking forward to it.”

Uncle Mike interjected,” So are we all.”

Grandmom called us in for dinner. I was seated between an empty seat and Lisa. After the prayer was given by my normally soft- spoken grandfather, we began to serve and eat the food. I wanted to know why there was an empty seat next to me.

“Grandmom,” I called.

“Yes, hon”

“Why is there an empty seat next to me?”

“For Rob, he must be stuck in traffic or something.”

“He’s not coming.”

“Why?” At this point my parents dropped their forks and shook their heads. I could not believe it, my grandparents did not know.

“Rob is in jail for the rest of his life!”

“WHAT?!” Granddad roared from his seat at the head of the table.

I kept going, knowing my parents disapproval. They needed to know, right? “He brutally raped and killed a man.” Their mouths dropped.

“Rob! Not Rob– he’s such a good boy!” Grandmom blubbered.

“Margaret, it’s Easter. Let’s finish our meal. No more out of you, Daisy. Look what you did to your grandmother,” quietly said Granddad.

The room fell into uncomfortable silence.

When Uncle Rick stood up, all the family’s eyes were on him. “ I have some good news. I am getting married. Not only that, I bought a house and I’m moving out.”

Applause and congratulations erupted from the family, I was happy for Uncle Rick. I liked the girl he was marrying, probably because she was only a few years older than I was. Uncle Rick lived with my grandparents for most of his adult life other than the three years when he was married before. I gave a him a smile. He needed a woman like that to save him from this insane family.

“As long as we are on good news, I have some.” Lisa yelled.” My husband, John-Paul was promoted to vice president of his company and we are moving to LA.”

My parents smiled proudly. Their daughter made it. She beat all the odds. I was angered. How could she have someone like that? I am smart, successful in school- Dean’s list every semester. I am attractive with long brown hair and green eyes, not that Lisa is ugly, but I always felt that I did not look ordinary like she did. And I dated grade- A losers. I am a winner and I should be with winners. My sister is a loser and she got herself a winner. How was that fair?

Her almond eyes turned to me. She must have felt my scowl.

“What’s wrong, Daisy? Jealous?”

“No,” I mumbled under my breath.

“You are. Now you know how it feels. You had everything that I wanted- brains, looks, hot guys and popularity. Now I have a man that you want. How does it feel?”

“Shut up, Lisa.”

“Why?”

“Because.”

“Why?”

I sat quietly for a minute. I hated her so much. Why? Why did she get the good life? I deserve to have the good life. I always did. I am the one that did everything right.

“You know, Lisa. Do Mom and Dad know about your previous pregnancies and your abortion? Remember now? I covered you and lied for you,” I said.

“Shut up , Daisy” Tears swelled in her eyes.

I did not control my mouth; I never realized what I said until after. “ That’s not all. She was gang-banged two or three times. She is what you call a nymphomaniac.” I knew I was yelling. Lisa was crying.” She was a little slut. I was known as Slutty Lisa’s Little Sister. I don’t think Lisa knows how to keep her legs closed.”

“Stop Daisy, stop!” Lisa wailed in between sobs. The family stared at me in shock.

“Oh yeah, well everybody Daisy is a WITCH!” Lisa ragefully screamed. My grandmother passed out and fell to the floor. Uncle Mike and my mother ran to her. She came to shortly and sobbed in my mother’s arms.

Dinner was finished. Dad drove me back home and we went back to be with his mother-in-law. That Monday, I was ready to leave and go back to college when my parents told me to move out and never come back. I packed the rest of my stuff, leaving the furniture. I never did come back.

Two years later, right before I graduated, I received two letters; one from Lisa and the other from Uncle Rick. I was more curious about Lisa’s than Uncle Rick’s so I read her letter first. It was a short letter.

May 10, 1987

Dear Daisy,

The letter brought me to tears. Ever since Easter, I felt so guilty because I told those secrets of Lisa to the entire family. This letter was the cherry to my surmounting guilt.

Uncle Rick’s letter was a bit longer.

May 12, 1987

His words saddened me. I felt more alone. No longer did I have a family.

A week later, as promised, Uncle Rick was at my graduation. We went to dinner where we talked for hours. That was the last I saw my family. Occasionally, I received letters from Uncle Rick and sometimes Lisa to keep me posted. But it’s just not the same. I should not have said anything at Easter because instead of seeming like the fair-haired child, I was a disgrace to my family and myself. I am sure they suffer, but they do not know how every hour, every minute, every second, I am suffering too.

*Just a little writing treat for you all. I wrote this story in 1999 and won second place in the writing contest at Penn State Lehigh Valley. This is not the exact version as I have edited over the years. Enjoy!*

She moved to Philadelphia taking a job as a public defender. Not knowing to anyone or anything about Philadelphia she was looking for things to do in Philadelphia to meet new people and perhaps find someone to love.

She had a particulary rough week at the courthouse and found herself at the art museum, just sitting on the steps breathing in the city air and the river water. The sun warmed her skin. A tall man wobbled towards her. He wore rollerblades and almost fell ontop of her. “I am sorry,” he muttered. She laughed slightly and helped him up. He plopped down next to her.

She felt so at ease with him. Their eyes locked his a wild hazel and felt something inside of her. Talking like old friends well into twilight they went out to a restaurant near the Ben Franklin Institute. Dinner was a simple affair but they both felt that the knew each other forever.

 After dinner they caught a bus to Bala Cynwood and walked around the storefronts by the Schukyll River, the twinkling lights from the store made up for the starless night. She shivered slightly in the night air and he drew her close.

Stroking her face gently, he leaned in and their souls melted together. That very kiss solidified what they already knew, they were soul mates.

When it comes to matters of the heart, the heart always knows which way to go. Though on the outside their romance and subsequent marriage felt rushed but for the 2 lonely people that met at the Philadelphia art museum on a sunny May day didn’t think is was fast enough before they were one.

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Tabitha looked over the amount of money she received from her late aunt’s estate and wondered what she could do with it. She always wanted to visit the United Kingdom but always too afraid to fly plus she never really had the money. She surfed the net when she came across Edinburgh Hotels and for some unknown reason she hit the reserve button on a classy 2 star hotel and made air line reservations.

Nervous about flying, she looked over the brochures she sent away from Edinburgh and Manchester and instead of being nervous she became more ecstatic and excited. She couldn’t wait to land in Scotland. After arriving in Scotland she took a taxi to her Edinburgh accommodation.

She spent the next week visiting the Lothians, the CraigMillar castle and St Giles’ cathedral. At night she met some interesting people at the pubs and shops and put back a few pints. After her fun-filled week in Scotland she booked her Manchester Accommodation and head to Manchester by train.

Tabitha spent some time looking for her ancestors and checked out some of Manchester’s offerings such as Manchester Art Gallery, The Lowry, and Whythenshawe Hall. She couldn’t believe she never traveled her before. Though her week was coming to a close, she met some distant relatives and had memory cards full of pictures of people and places, Tabitha vowed she would come back more often and see more of the world.