Sisters
1549 Words
Rayne arrived on Tuesday; when the car dropped her off, Wendy was moving her things into her room. My sister, younger by three years, gasped as she walked through the door and looked around the apartment.
"It's BEAUTIFUL!" She exclaimed.
I smiled and gave her a big hug. She hadn't ever been to NYC and I planned on showing her around. We had had our ups and downs, but she was one constant in my life. She knew some of my deepest secrets - although it wasn't always that way.
As children we fought constantly, our parents didn't handle our sibling rivalry well, so life was stressful to say the least. As we grew, things fell into a better place and it was nice to have a friendship. Her visit was significant to me because I missed my family - I had never lived this far away.
"How was your flight?"
"Fine," she answered. "I still can't believe I'm here..or that you live here!"
I laughed and agreed with her. It was nice to see her; we had very different personalities, she liked to party, date, and work a lot. I was more of a homebody, worked part time (even with a college degree) and settled down earlier in adulthood. There were times I was envious of her carefree, easygoing ways, but I saw how lonely she felt at certain points. On the other hand, with Alexander and the boys, I was rarely alone and missed time for myself.
"Are you hungry? Come see the kitchen," I commanded.
She followed me through the small hallway and noticed the sizable kitchen.
"Damn, this is the size of my whole apartment," she exaggerated.
I grinned and grabbed leftover chicken, mayo, and celery from the fridge. I made some chicken salad while she told me about her latest work endeavors. She was into fashion, so she worked as a journalist for a local magazine and modeled clothing in small shows around Florida for extra money. I was proud of her- she made some poor choices as a teenager and it had taken her a while before she changed her ways.
Once she finished her sandwich, I showed her to the guest room. We passed my room on the way and she shot me a questioning look.
"It's not so bad, I choose to sleep in there," I replied. "The boys have both of us - that's all that matters."
"I've always supported your relationship with Alexander, but if you're not happy together, you don't have to stay married," she said cautiously.
"I know, but right now, we want the boys to have both parents. It's just easier," I sighed. "We don't know what this means, and we haven't shared this with anyone else."
"I get it - I find it admirable," she said. "I just don't want you to get hurt."
We hugged and heard the boys fighting in the playroom.
"Oooooh! Can't wait to squeeze them!" Rayne shrieked.
The boys were stoked to see Auntie Rayne. They filled her in on things we had done, things we had seen and of course, new toys we had bought.
"Come see our room!" Lennon yelled as he pulled Rayne by her hand down the hall. The room was across from hers and had two twin beds on opposite walls. The theme was outer space, so the walls were dark blue with white dots to look like stars and while the boys showed her everything, my mind wandered. Harry's apartment was similar. I suppose, some boys never grow out of the space theme, I giggled to myself and Rayne turned to look at me.
"Boys, I love your room! Can mommy and I chat a bit and then I will come play with you?" She asked them.
"Sure!" Lennon answered. He grabbed his brother's arm and dragged him back to the playroom.
Wendy found us and introduced herself to Rayne.
"I've finished for now, would you like me to hang with the boys while you two catch up?" She smiled as she asked.
"That would be wonderful," I responded.
Rayne and I made our way to the family room.
"Sister dearest, you MUST tell me about Mr. Styles," she stared me down.
I looked at my hands in my lap, I didn't know where to start.
"Start from when you met in the park," she guided reading my mind.
"I slept with him, twice." I blurted out.
She looked stunned, but grinned ear to ear. Rarely one to judge, she seemed speechless.
"He invited me to a private concert the day we met in the park, we went to a club with the guys afterward - we-we kissed - then we met up for dinner that Saturday," I stumbled while telling the story. "I told him about Alexander and the boys that night and we ended up at his apartment - it was incredible. We saw each other about a week later - we-we met secretly at a hotel."
Her eyes were big, as was her smile.
"Sophie, I'm shocked," she finally said. "It sounds exciting as hell. In fact, stuff dreams are made of...What's he like?"
"Rayne! I don't talk about that-"
"Not in bed, ha! I mean, is he, well, you know, a player? Or womanizer?" She interrupted.
I shook my head. "Not even close. He is a complete gentleman."
"So, are you two an item?"
"No. We just really enjoy each other's company. For all I know, he could have others out there," once I said it, I regretted it.
Rayne noticed the scowl on my face and sat closer to me to put her arm around my shoulders.
"I hate to ask, but does Alexander know?"
"He knows I've seen Harry twice. He doesn't know we talk, or have slept together, or plan to see each other when he's back from Europe." I responded.
"What do you want out of it?" She asked quietly.
"Honestly, I love the thrill and excitement of it," I answered carefully. "Harry is an amazing guy, but he deserves to have a future - get married and have kids of his own. I suppose, this is just a fling."
Tears hit my eyes, I bit my bottom lip as it quivered. This was all new to me, I had never just been in a relationship for sex...I mean, I felt connected to Harry, but I refused to hold him back from finding love. I decided then that he and I needed to discuss this next time we were together.
My sister held me as I sobbed. These feelings had surfaced, mainly because deep down I knew it could never go anywhere with Harry. I heard him mention marriage and a family in an interview on Ellen recently. Getting a divorce from Alexander, well, that was difficult enough to imagine, let alone getting remarried. I couldn't imagine having more children either.
"You don't have to decide anything right now. I'm sorry I brought it up," she read my mind again. "You deserve to have fun. Your kids are happy and healthy, you and your husband have worked out a plan. I know Alexander wants you to be happy."
She grabbed a box of tissues, pulled one from the box and dabbed my eyes. Then hugged me again.
"Sophie, I met someone," she told me. "We've been seeing each other, exclusively, for just over six months."
I sat up quickly and looked at her. "What? Where? When?"
She chuckled and told me about Jack. He was about her age and a mechanic. She met him when her car broke down and he worked on it. They planned on moving in together.
"Whoa! Rayne, why did you wait to tell me?" I shouted.
"Calm down," she said. "I wanted to make sure it was serious. You'll really like him. Mom does."
I couldn't believe my sister and mom had kept this from me. But I had been quite busy and distracted since before I moved. My sister was notorious for moving too quickly with men, but I told her that I was happy for her and couldn't wait to meet him.
"Good! Because he is coming here Friday. He will stay the weekend and we will fly home together on Sunday evening."
I smiled. "Where is he staying?"
"We are staying at the Hilton in Times Square."
"Gotcha. Well, I'm excited for you and can't wait to meet him," I said. "Let's go shopping."
_______
Wendy watched the boys while we shopped and gossiped. Rayne and I were approached for pictures by a few of Alexander's fans while grabbing coffee. Then as we left The Gap suddenly, I heard words I had been dreading.
"Sophie, is it true you have a secret relationship with Harry Styles?" yelled one.
"Is Harry in New York?" yelled another.
"Is it true? Sophie? Does Alexander know?"
They hounded me once the first question was asked. Rayne hailed a cab so we could get home quickly.
_______
Dinner was quiet, minus the chatter from the boys. Alexander walked through the door at 8:30pm and directly into the kitchen. He looked as though he was about to say something, but noticed Rayne. He waved and smiled at her then went straight to his room.
- Writer
