The Other Sister

The bells rung to signal that church was now over and it was time for everyone to head home. Of course, Meriden was talking to the Father Michaels son again. I rolled my eyes and just went up to her and smiled.

"Meriden, our mother wants us to go by the Vegerburgs and invite them to dinner." She sighed.

"And why do you need me to do that?" I made a tsk noise with my mouth.

“Because you know what will be awaiting us both if you don't come with me.." She smiled at the poor young fellow then I grabbed her hand and pulled her along behind me while she yelled a goodbye to the preacher's son.

I didn't look back at her when I said "What's so special about that boy anyways? He's betrothed to Mary Gilbreath, the most favored girl around." She just laughed.

“My little sister, oh my little innocent sister." Was all she said while shaking her head grinning.

“Well, I'm just asking, you're always speaking to boys who are already taken when it's clear there's men out there your age that are not taken. Like what about Charles? You liked him." She busted out laughing.

"Not in a million years. He's practically four years older than me! And he likes to read." she scrunched her nose.

I shrugged my shoulders as I continued to drag her along and mumbled a "whatever."

She jerked me back and said "Let's talk about you and Garth, shall we? After all you two are getting married in a few days." She wiggled her eyebrows and grinned.

I shook my head at her and smiled. Then I continued to drag her along the path until we arrived at the small river that flowed behind the church. I sat down and patted beside me for her to sit down. When she did, I turned and looked at her when I said "There's nothing to talk about when it comes to me and Garth. I just know that we are going to actually love each other and be a happily married couple." She turned and looked at the river. 

I watched as she turned her gaze to the water then she seemed like she was mentally somewhere else. She picked up a rock from somewhere beside her and threw it into the river.

“What's wrong? I didn't mean anything by what I said. if that's what your upset about. It was a trick to get you away from the preachers boy." She looked at me and laughed.

“Margret. I don't like him. Sure, I talk and flirt with many boys, but we were talking about his betrothal to Mary." Then she elbowed me in my side and giggled.

I nodded and agreed with her, but I knew on the inside that she was fibbing. That no matter what, even when she didn't think about it, she was and did. Of course, she was my older sister and the only one that's been there for me, but she isn't always honest with me. I don't know if maybe she thinks she'll hurt me or if she thinks I'm dumb. But I know and although it does hurt me more than we both realise, I do stay to myself. 

All because of her.

I stand up and dust my dress off then offer her my hand, but she waves it off and stands on her own. So, I start walking and begin to head back to the church where of course mother would be waiting patiently while father would sigh and just head to the carriage.

Heading back, i stomp on all the crunchy leaves because the sound of leaves crunching is so satisfying. I find sometimes I am very awkward, but as is everyone else I know. So that makes me less awkward. I guess. Which I'm okay with.

Later on before bed I say a prayer and hope to the lord that the night I'm supposed to make love with Garth, it won't be as bad as I'm thinking it will be. As nervous as I am, i think it will all be okay.

“Goodnight, Mar." Meriden smiles and rolls over before blowing out the candle." I just smile and whisper a goodnight.

Letting the dark consume me, I dream of Garth.

4 days later

I looked at my reflection in the mirror or at least tried to. That thing was centuries old. Rather than looking at my reflection, it was a kaleidoscope of the same body parts every where.

“Oh, you're so beautiful." Mother hugged me and slightly smiled.  "Don't worry you'll do just fine. Nothing you can't handle." I giggled.

“Mother. It's not walking down the aisle and saying I do I'm worried about." She looked at me for a second then she smiled once again.

“Darling. There's nothing to be worried about. Besides it's not even the best part, going through your pregnancy in the near future and becoming a mother is what will be special." I laughed. Mother never really was the type to talk about those things. She was too closed off and serious she used to say.

"Okay mother." She hugged me then left.

"They're ready." Meriden walked in, her eyes taking me in. She grinned then winked.