Brother and Sister (story by R.C. Peris)

They were born five years apart. He took pride in being the big brother. At six, he held her in his arms. He said he loved her and everyone thought that was so sweet. When summers came and he was older, he would spend hours with her in the pool or the woods behind the house. During the school year, he helped her with math and letters. She waited until he came home from baseball practice to have her snack. Pretzels and juice. He was always very proud when his parents took her to his games. When he was in high school, their parents began to be concerned with his little sister’s attachment to him. He never stayed out late and always volunteered to watch her. His parents got upset and demanded he spend time with friends or find a girlfriend. He started dating Michelle. He brought her home once and his sister was jealous and upset. This made him sad.

“Do you love her more than me?” asked Lucy.

“No. You are the only one I love. I’m dating Michelle to keep our parents quiet. There is only you,” said Michael.

When he graduated from high school he went to college. His parents insisted on their Alma Mater, which was in another state. Lucy cried for days and clung to him at the airport. Their parents were not pleased.

Michael called Lucy daily and each time they expressed their love for each other.

Their parents died while Lucy was in college. Michael and Lucy decided not to sell the house. Michael found a job in town and Lucy finished college locally. She eventually found a job too. Brother and sister lived together. The neighbors thought it sweet.

Michael and Lucy began sleeping in the same bed. Both decided they didn’t want other people.

“We can’t get married,” Lucy said.

“I will love you always,” Michael said.

They lived for three decades together. They shared the same bed. Neighbors began to think them odd. Lucy got very ill and Michael stayed with her in the hospital. He was so distressed that he became ill. The doctors separated them. Lucy cried out for Michael but he was on another floor. She thought he had abandoned her. Lucy demanded to see him and they wheeled Michael in. They held hands and then Lucy died. Michael did not cry but his health deteriorated. There was no one to visit him.

“Why didn’t you marry?” asked the nurse.

“I only loved, Lucy,” said Michael with some shame. He felt rotten for feeling shame. Lucy was the brightest part of life. He died thinking of her dancing in the light of their love. The doctor called time of death and the nurse was tearful because she regretted marrying a man she did not love, rather than continuing to live with her father who died two years ago without her by his side.

You should only be with those you love, no matter convention. Life is too awful otherwise.

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