Page 20 of The Seashell of ’Ohana

“Have you heard of a cell phone?”

Kate crossed her arms, defiant. “It went straight to your voicemail.”

“It’s a sign, Kate. It’s like midnight, you know.”

“I know. Let me in?” Kate walked away, in the direction of the porch.

“No,” I said, a bit too loud, before she had made it past the lawn.

She stopped and whirled with an incredulous look. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“Abby.” She whined when she didn’t get her way. “Come on, let me in.”

I leaned closer, my nose almost pressed to the screen. “I don’t need you to come for a pity party. I’m fine. Go back to Lee. He must think I’m insecure.”

“He doesn’t know I’m here.”

I didn’t buy her story. She was always at his place during the weekend. My sister, with a giant heart, a heart too big to fit in her chest, had left Lee to come be with me. I appreciated her looking after me, but now I felt guilty. I didn’t need my baby sister. I just needed time.

“Kate, I’m fine.” I used my motherly voice. “I’m going to sleep now. Go home.”

“No.”

“No?”

“Either let me in, or I’m going to stand here all night.”

“Fine, then stand there,” I said coolly.

Her eyes widened, and her lips moved, the way they did when she cursed under her breath. I closed the window and went back to bed. I assumed she’d gone home, but a pebble hit my window.

Not again. So stubborn.

A second pebble cracked against the glass. Again, I ignored her, but more kept coming. Damn, that girl could be persistent.

I huffed a breath and opened the window. “I told you to go home,” I snapped.

“No, you told me to stand here all night. I’m going to keep doing this until you let me in. It’s cold.” She shivered, rubbing her arms.

Kate wore a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. She should be fine. It wasn’t that cold, but I caved anyway. Little sisters always knew how to get their way.

“Fine.” I stormed to the door and let her in.

Kate placed her sandals on the shoe rack and followed me to my bedroom. I flopped onto the bed, yanked the covers up, and fell back onto my pillow with an exaggerated sigh.

“I told you I was going to bed. See, I’m in bed. Now leave me alone.” I closed my eyes and rolled to face the wall.

Footsteps shuffled to my closet, then my comforter shifted, and my sister tucked herself next to me. I flipped on my side to look at her, flabbergasted. She had changed into my pajamas.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

She lay on her side, her eyes level with mine, bright and gleaming in the moonlight pouring between the open blinds. I had forgotten to close them.

She was too chirpy for this time of night. But her soft expression made me feel horrible for trying to chase her away. I should be nicer to her.

Kate gave me a beautiful smile, all innocent and loving. “I wanted to be sure you were okay, that’s all. And I want to be with you. I need my sister.”