The Darkest Night

Chapter 3

As I walked in and let my bag slip off my shoulder, I watched as Michael and my sister were almost arguing. I couldn't quite tell if they were actually upset with each other or not. "Am I interrupting anything?" I asked as casually as I could. Worry rushed through me at the thought that they were actually fighting just the day after they got engaged.

"Oh kiddo you're back." Sis came over and gave me a quick hug. "We are just...ummm here come and sit down real quick." I nervously kicked my shoes off by the door and sat down on the couch. "Ok so ummm, so Michael called his family earlier to let them know that he's engaged right." She was pacing back and forth, a habit of hers whenever she was stressed out. I nodded OK even though I didn't know much about Michael's family. I knew his mom remarried a guy a few years back, but I didn't know anything about his step-family. "Well, his mom would like us to go and visit with them for two weeks." She said in a rush, facing me.

"Ok? And? I'm failing to see what is stressing you out so much sis?" I was bewildered about why she was freaking out so much. She wasn't working currently due to a layoff that occurred at her job last week, so she was free to go and visit anytime. Michael made his own hours and could work remotely, so he didn't have any issues either, that I could see.

"Well, the thing is she would like you to come as well, kiddo," Sis said, wringing her hands together anxiously. Ahh, here was the issue. It was damn near impossible for me to get more than one day off at a time from my job. I could see she really wanted me to come along but didn't know if I could.

"Oh."

"Yeah oh. Is there any way you could take two weeks off and come with me to meet his parents?" She said all at once. I could see the anxiety in her face.

"Oh yeah, I'll go with you guys, no worries. I actually got the next few weeks off for vacation." The lie fell from my lips so easily as I plastered a smile on my face. She seemed shocked at first that I agreed so easily, but I guess her happiness at my acceptance let her overlook the lie I told her. She happily hugged me then shouted that we had to start packing for the trip. Apparently, we were gonna leave in the morning and drive up to their estate. Huh, guess the step-family is rich. Michael thanked me as he followed my sister into her room to help her pack up. I closed my eyes, relishing being off my feet for a few seconds before pushing myself up and went into the bathroom to take a shower.

I turned the water to hot and started taking my clothes off dumping them into a pile on the floor. Once steam started appearing over the curtain, I hoped in letting the water wash away all the stress and frustrations of the last eighteen hours. I let all my current worries flow down the drain with the water as I breathed slowly and grounded myself. I wouldn't let anything ruin this impromptu with my future inlaws. I washed my hair and took my time shaving and washing my body. If I was going to meet my inlaws, I was going to be looking my best for my sisters' sake. As her only family, I had to make a good impression. I turned the water off and grabbed my towel, wrapping it around myself, I stepped out. Grabbing my clothes from the floor, I peeked out of the bathroom to see if anyone was in the hall. Once I saw that it was all clear, I scurried back to my room as fast as I could.

I dumped my clothes into my dirty clothes hamper and sat on my bed thinking through everything. I knew we had enough in savings to be fine for a couple of months while I looked for a new job. With their engagement, they will probably move in together anyway, so I would have to move to a smaller apartment, which would save me money as well. Pity too, since I did love this apartment. Maybe I could find a one bedroom in the same building. Either way, things will be OK on the financial front. Meeting new people, though, will be a challenge. I was never good at making friends, but I can just keep it professional for the next two weeks. I laid back on my bed still wrapped in my towel. Sighing, I closed my eyes and let the exhaustion roll over me.

Banging sounds on my bedroom door startled me awake. Crap I had fallen asleep still wrapped in a towel. I never even brushed my hair. "Hey kiddo, we are going to order some food. Do you want anything?"

"Uh yeah, I'll just get whatever you are getting. My card is in my wallet. Go ahead and use it please." I yelled through the door as I stood up and started pulling clothes out.

"I'm not taking your money kiddo, I still have plenty." She said dismissively. I sighed. I knew it was a long shot, but I was kind of hoping she would be too distracted with her engagement to fight me about it. Oh, well, you can't have everything. I got dressed quickly into some of my comfy lounge around the house clothes. Grabbing a hairbrush, I left my room, pulling the brush through my long chestnut hair. I could hear my sister ordering food from our local Japanese restaurant that we love. Michael was sitting on the couch flipping through channels trying to find something to watch. He settled on a cooking competition show and zoned out on it while Cynthia placed our order. I continued to brush my hair while watching the show with Michael. I quickly braided my semi-dry hair into a long braid that I tied off with a black hair tie.

"OK, food should be here within the hour." Sis said once she hung up. She walked over to the couch and curled up next to her fiancé to wait for the food. The evening passed pleasantly. We ate once the food arrived, watched a few episodes of the cooking show and helped each other pack. Michael ran home when it got late to pack his own bag, promising to pick us up for the trip first thing in the morning. "Hey Elizabeth." Sis called me as we were heading to bed.

"Yeah sis what's up?" My hand was on the doorknob and my whole body was craving my bed. I just wanted this long day to end and to sleep.

"I really appreciate you agreeing to come with my to meet my inlaws tomorrow." I started to reply but she shushed me. "No listen, I don't know why you are suddenly free from work for two weeks, but I do appreciate you coming with me." I gaped at her. Guess she hadn't been as distracted as I thought she was. I nodded to her and headed into my room and collapsed into my bed. The last thought I had while pulling my blankets up under my chin was how much I love my sister.