RUINING ANGEL by S. Pratt

the time for avoidance has come and gone.
    ‘I love her,’ I offer.
    ‘You don’t know what love is!’ dad roars.
    ‘I do.’
    ‘She’s your goddamn sister for heaven’s sakes!’
    ‘It doesn’t matter. I love her.’
    ‘I won’t allow it.’
    ‘It’s too late for that.’
    ‘What the fuck are you talking about?’
    ‘We got married.’

    ‘You did what?’ His voice is like a bird set free in my cabin, a big screech letting loose from his lips.
    ‘We got married,’ I repeat quietly.
    ‘You can’t marry your sister.’
    ‘I don’t see her as my sister.’
    ‘Are you kidding me? We brought you into our home, loved you, cared for you, treated you like you were our own flesh and blood, and you think this is acceptable?’
    ‘Don’t make me out to be the bad guy here,’ I spit. Mom and Bailey stand stoically behind us while dad and I have it out. He’s right. He has always treated me like his son. Loved me like a son.
    Problem is, Bailey and I have always just been friends. We were just lucky enough to see each other every day and share the same parents.

    ‘No? So who’s to blame? No one?’
    ‘Blame is for guilty people. I have nothing to feel guilty about!’
    I’m about to snap, but I reign in my temper for the ladies sake.

    ‘Like hell you do, son.’
    ‘Do you remember when you and mom first came to pick me up from my foster mom’s house?’ Dad looks like I just slapped him across the face, but the anger dissipates as he unwilling lets his mind drift back.
    ‘Of course I do,’ he says softly.
    ‘And do you remember what you and mom asked me?’ He’s silent for a minute, recalling the conversation in his mind.
    ‘She asked if you’d like a sister.’ His voice is barely audible.
    ‘She did. Do you remember what I said?’
    ‘Yes.’

    Sorrow seems to be replacing the anger. I almost wish for the angry man to come back, because the sadness he now holds shows his disappointment in me. I never wanted to let my parents down, but Bailey has to come first. We both know we can’t live without each other. So if it means ruining my relationship with my parents, damn it, I’ll fucking do it.

    ‘I said I never had a sister before.’
    ‘I asked if you’d like a friend instead.’
    ‘You did.’
    ‘But I never meant it so literally!’ He’s fuming. Understandably so.
    ‘Dad?’ Bailey’s quiet voice behind me demands her father’s attention, but he can barely look at her. ‘Please dad, look at me.’

    The air is so thick with tension you could cut it with a knife. Like a trip to death row, his eyes move slowly, trying to avoid the inevitable. They don’t ever reach her face. Instead he focuses on her hands that she’s wringing in front of her.
    ‘Daddy?’
    ‘Don’t say that, it’s obvious that little girl is long gone,’ he says harshly.
    ‘Dad!’ she sobs. It’s taking all of my strength not to comfort her right now. That will only make things worse. Instead I root myself to the ground and watch my brave Bailey. Finally, he looks into her eyes.

    ‘I’m still the same person, Emmett is still the same person. We both are still the same people that you’ve loved all these years.
    This doesn’t change anything. Just because we see each other differently doesn’t mean that you have to. Nothing’s changed,’ she pleads.

    He looks at Bailey with finality.
    ‘I’ve changed. In this instant, I’ve changed. I don’t think I can ever look at you two the same way again. I feel like I have no children, or at least, I never really knew them.’ He turns on his heel and walks out the door, leaving mom standing alone on our doorstep.
    Behind me a cry catches in the back of Bailey’s throat and I turn to comfort her, wrapping my big arms around her frame. While Bailey sobs into my chest, mom stares me down.

    ‘You know, Emmett, I’ve kept this secret for as long as I could.
    Pretending that I didn’t know about what was happening right under my nose. In my house.