The Sister’s Plea
1146 Words
Sophia sat in her car in the office parking garage, staring at her phone.
One new voicemail. Maya. Of course.
She’d ignored the call during her meeting with Morrison’s legal team. Three lawyers, all arguing about whether the word “regret” was too strong. Sophia had smiled and nodded while her phone buzzed in her purse.
Now the meeting was over. She was alone. And the voicemail notification sat there like a little guilt trip.
She should just listen to it. Get it over with.
But Maya’s voicemails always got under her skin. Her sister had this way of sounding understanding and disappointed at the same time. Like she knew Sophia was going to let her down but loved her anyway.
Sophia pressed play.
“Hey, Soph. It’s me. Again.” Maya’s voice filled the car. “I know you’re busy. I always know you’re busy. That’s like your permanent state of being.”
Maya laughed but it sounded tired.
“I’m not calling to bug you. Well, okay, I am calling to bug you. But it’s for a good reason.”
There was a pause. Sophia could hear noise in the background. Voices. Music. Maya was probably at the lodge already.
“I know coming home is hard,” Maya continued, her voice quieter now. “I know there’s stuff there you don’t want to deal with. Dad. The past. All of it. I get it. I really do.”
Another pause. Sophia’s chest felt tight.
“But Soph, it’s my wedding. My wedding. I need you there. Not just there, like physically present while your brain is somewhere else. I need you actually there. As my maid of honor. As my sister. Please.”
Maya’s voice cracked on that last word.
Sophia closed her eyes.
“I miss you. Mom misses you. Even Grandma, who pretends she’s too tough to miss anyone, asks about you every single day. We all want you here. Not because you have to. But because we love you.”
There was a long breath.
“Just think about it, okay? I’m not trying to guilt you. Okay, maybe I am a little. But only because this really matters to me. You matter to me. Call me back when you can. Love you.”
The voicemail ended.
Sophia sat there in the silence. Her throat was tight. Her eyes were burning.
She pressed play again.
“I know coming home is hard.”
Maya’s voice was so gentle. So understanding. That almost made it worse. Sophia could handle anger. But this soft, loving concern made her want to cry.
She listened to the whole thing again. And then a third time.
“As my maid of honor. As my sister. Please.”
Her phone buzzed. A text from Priya, her assistant.
Linda wants to know if you can take the Dawson account. Their rep just quit.
The Dawson account. A celebrity divorce. Lots of billable hours. Lots of press. Exactly the kind of case that could make a career.
Any other day, Sophia would have said yes immediately.
She texted back: Can I let you know tomorrow?
Sure. Everything okay?
Yeah. Just need to think about it.
Sophia put her phone down and rubbed her face.
When had she become this person? This woman who lived in her office and avoided her family?
She knew the answer. Seven years ago. When everything fell apart and she decided the only way to survive was to run.
It had worked, mostly. She’d built a good career. Made good money. Got the independence she wanted.
But somewhere along the way, she’d also built walls. High ones. The kind that kept people out but also kept her trapped inside.
Sophia picked up her phone and opened her messages with Maya. The last text was from two weeks ago.
Love the bridesmaid dress you picked! So pretty!
Sophia had responded with a thumbs-up emoji. A thumbs up. To her sister. About her wedding.
God, when had she become so bad at being human?
She started typing.
I’ll be there. Three days before. That’s all I can do.
She hit send before she could overthink it.
The response came immediately.
REALLY?? You’re coming??
Then another text.
Three days is perfect! I’m literally crying right now.
Then another.
Jake! She’s coming! Sophia’s coming to the wedding!
Sophia smiled. She could picture Maya jumping up and down, making a big deal out of something that should have been obvious.
Because of course, Sophia should be at her sister’s wedding. The fact that it had become a question said everything about how far she’d drifted.
Another text from Maya.
Mom is going to DIE. Grandma too. They’ve been so worried you wouldn’t come.
Guilt hit hard. They’d been worried. Because Sophia had given them plenty of reasons to worry. Cancelled visits. Short phone calls. Constant excuses about work.
Tell them I’m sorry, Sophia typed. I should have said yes sooner.
Don’t apologize. Just come. That’s all we want.
Another text.
I’m making a list of maid of honor stuff. Fair warning, it’s long.
How long?
Like, really long. But fun! Mostly fun.
That’s not reassuring.
You’ll be fine. You’re Sophia Benson. You can handle anything.
Sophia stared at that message. Maya believed that. I really believed it. Though Sophia was strong and capable.
If only Maya knew the truth. Sophia spent most of her time terrified. Terrified of failing. Terrified of going home and facing everything she’d run from.
But Maya didn’t need to know that. Maya was getting married. Maya deserved to be happy.
I can handle it, Sophia typed back. Send me the list.
Yay! It involves crafts.
Oh no.
And possibly glitter.
I’m regretting this already.
Too late! You already said yes!
Despite everything, Sophia laughed. Really laughed.
I’ll see you on December 21st, she typed.
Can’t wait. Love you, Soph.
Love you too.
Sophia started her car. But first, she had to do something she’d been avoiding.
She pulled up a travel website and searched for flights. December twenty-first. Morning departure.
Her finger hovered over the book button.
Once she clicked, it was real. No more avoiding. She’d have to go home. Face her family. Walk back into the life she’d left behind.
Sophia took a breath and clicked.
Confirmation email arrived. Flight booked. No turning back.
She sat there, heart pounding, wondering what she’d just committed to.
Three weeks to prepare. Three weeks to build up her defenses and get ready to pretend everything was fine.
She could do this. She had to.
For Maya. For the sister who loved her even when she didn’t deserve it.
Sophia put the car in reverse and headed home, trying not to think about what waited at Mountain Ridge Lodge.
Trying not to think about Christmas Eve, her father, or anyone else who might be there.
- Writer
