Page 95 of It's Always Been You

I heard her breath hitch when she asked. “Will you text me when the two of you land?”

Hearing the way my sister still included Stephanie into our lives, I realized I was the only one who lost touch - not just with Stephanie, but my entire family.

“It’ll be early,” I said, leaning into the call.

“I don’t care,” she replied, her voice a little muffled. “I just need to know the two of you arrived home safely.”

When Opa passed, I made it a point to never take time for granted again. Taking a good look around, I took the time to really open my eyes to the people around me. Putting hockey on the back burner, I’ve found myself and become a better version of who I’m meant to be.

Hearing the pain in my sister’s tone had me worrying I was missing something. “Are you alright Mia?”

“I can’t burden you with my troubles at time like this,” she whispered, avoiding the question.

The thought of my sister needing me at a time like this and I couldn’t be there for her sloshed against me like the waves knocking against the side of the ship when it’s docked. Unable to walk and process my thoughts, I stopped mid-stride. “Yes, you can,” I urged, the emotion strangling me. “I don’t ever want you to think you can’t come to me. No matter what, I’ve got going on.”

“You mean it?” She asked.

“Always Mia. Tell me what’s bothering you.”

???

Ididn’t like not knowing what came next, or what would happen tomorrow when we were back home. All I knew was I couldn’t go on living without Stephanie.

THE END…

FOR NOW