The Sisters
Raya threw the vase against the wall, losing herself in the satisfying crash as it shattered.
“Raya! What’s the matter?” Lauren spun around at the sound of the crash.
“This,” Raya flung her arms about. “This whole thing doesn’t matter!” She shrieked.
Lauren’s eyes noticed the phone that Raya clutched I her hands. Raya picked up a picture frame, looked down at it. “I don’t even talk to these people anymore...you know why?”
“Why?” Laura answered warily.
“Because they don’t matter.” She flung the picture at the nearest wall.
Laura’s eye flew open. “Raya! What the hell is going on?” She ran to close the door to their tiny office in the back of their family owned shop.
Raya looked her big sister in the eye. “I don’t want to be here.”
Laura looked around the office with it’s old wood paneling. “Well, hell, Ray. Who wants to be here? I’d rather be on a beach, sipping margaritas with a hot Cabana boy.”
Raya let out at roar. “I’m not you! I don’t want to be here, working for mom and dad.” She looked down at her phone. “Saying no to opportunities because of....this hell whole!”
“Raya, calm down. You really snapped.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down.” She looked around the room.
“Looking for something else to throw?”
Raya saw what she was looking for. She snapped up her coat and keys. “I’m leaving.”
“Yeah, take a break, come back with a clear head.”
“No! I gotta go. I gotta leave.”
“We’re in the Bronx, Raya! Where the hell you wanna go? Fordham?”
“Think bigger Lala! Don’t you wanna leave this behind?”
Laura knew the answer; deep down she didn’t want any of this. Making souvenirs and decorating banquet halls for the greater New York City. This was her parents business, she didn’t think they’d pass it on to her; but they did. While they were off on great vacations, Raya and her were stuck working nonstop for the unrelenting parties that just wouldn’t stop coming. She had dreams...but apparently family came before dreams.
Laura realized she didn’t answer. Raya was smirking at her like she knew better. “What I said got you thinking…”
“No! I’m completely content being here.”
Raya shook her head. “I’m not. I’m done.”
Laura snatched the phone out of her sisters hand and looked down at the screen.
“Is this what you’re losing your shit over?! Because of Nelson Castillo?!”
Raya snatched her phone back. “It’s not just him! He went on to do what he always dreamed of! He’s directing movies!”
“Pornos don’t count!”
“Oh, yes they do!”
“And He also had a bladder problem til he was eighteen, so I wouldn’t use him as a role model.”
“It’s because he had nervous problems!” Raya shook her head. “But it’s not just him. what about Janet? Did you hear about her? She’s writing books.”
“And still living in her dads basement!”
Raya began to put her coat on. “But at least she’s doing something she loves! Is this what you want? Have you ever wanted something so bad that you can taste it?”
“So, you want to leave to follow your dream? You’re just gonna leave me here?!”
The panic began to set in the pit of her stomach at the thought of being left behind. How can her sister be so selfish! After all the years of protecting her, catering to her, letting her tag along when all Lauren wanted to do was chill with her friends alone. Laura shouldn’t be surprised, Raya was always the center of attention…this was no different.
“Jimmy is waiting outside for me.”
“Jimmy? Jimmy the fuck boy is waiting outside for you?! For what? So he can get you pregnant and then leave you on the corner like he did those 3 other girls?!”
She turned mid stride and pointed her acrylic nail at me. “Don’t worry, Lala. You can still be the good sister and I’ll be the bad one, but at least I’ll be doing what I want to do.”
Her almond brown eyes, just like my own, pierced through me, determined on her mission.
I nodded. “Go. Ruin your life because you decided you were bored one day,” I spat out. I picked up a stack of papers just to keep my hands from ringing her neck.
“And you’ll always be the older spinster sister rotting away in her parents party shop.” With that final blow, Raya stomped out not realizing the havoc that was about to blow through my life.
Dear reader,
I hope you enjoyed this story and world I created. This is still a love story but a different kind of love. Familial love, self love…interpret it any way you want. I encourage it. I just wanted to write about conversations that I have with my own family and friends. Feelings of abandonment and betrayal from someone who loves you but maybe the chaos is for the better.
Tell me what you think?
Leave a comment or feedback! I would appreciate if you share this story!
Love Always,
J.L.