She Who Chases Love Away

“Mom, who is she?” I pointed at the girl beside my Mom in the picture. We’re looking at her old pictures. “Ah, her? She’s your Aunt, my sister.” “I have an Aunt? Or more like, you have a sister? How come I never saw her, not even once?” “My sister left home to study abroad. Then, she decided to stay there more to work.” “But how come you never talked about her? Not even Grandma.” Mom had an awkward expression. “Well, she left when your Grandpa just died. Mom didn't want to let any more family members go at that time, but she stubbornly insisted. They got into a heated argument but still, she left. After that, it’s like she forgot about us. She never came home. She would just send gifts during Mom and I’s birthdays. From time to time, we receive an overseas call. We know it’s her even though she won’t say a word. Maybe it’s her own way of telling us that she misses us, too.” Then she smiled sadly. “Do you want her to come home, Mom?” “Of course! She’s my sister, the only one I have. I always wanted her to be part of my life, not that I removed her. I just want her to witness all the happy moments of my life and I want to witness hers too.” Her eyes glistened with hope as she said those words. “Then why don’t you ask her to come home?” “Even if I want to, she won’t. I’ve asked her a couple of times, and so is Mom. But she always brushes us off. It’s like she detached herself from us.” Her eyes became sad again. “What is she like, Mom?” “How should I describe her? I can’t find the right words to say.” “So she’s weird?” “Hahaha. Let’s just say she’s unique.” “You know that’s the nice way to describe someone weird, right, Mom?” She messed my hair and pinched my face softly. “Maybe. But she’s not that bad, she’s just unusual.” “So what if she comes home one day?” “I’ll be happy. But son, listen, don’t get close to her. You won’t learn anything good from her. Trust me.”