A Sister's World

We didn’t talk about her much. Even before she was sent away. For those weeks leading up to her departure.

She had been withdrawn. And that was a sign.

I hope she comes home normal.

Then I felt guilty. Because she had been trying so hard for so long to be normal. And that wasn’t her. Just as much as this isn’t her.

My mom walked in. Our mom walked in.

“Her behavior was becoming unacceptable, you know that right?” she said, “When she ran away that one time-”

“She’d been running for a long time,” I interrupted, “Maybe if we had actually tried to find out what she was running from- she wouldn’t have to be locked up like this.”

We went on like that for a while. And pretended this had to do with us. And pretended that she wasn’t in a critical stage…

The door shut and I opened my window. She would be back. And none of this would matter. And we would laugh. And she would laugh next to us.

And then we would watch some movie. And she would gaze out the window. And I wouldn’t tease her this time.

It would be like we would omit that story from our lives. And she would try to do the same.

I am sorry I am embarrassed, even now. As I must make up stories to my friends about your absence.

Oh, sister.

Tonight, I will stay up in my room. As you stay up in a room.

Oh, sister.

We are still sisters.

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