Thus, Annie and Big Sis ended up taking the bus home. It was not something Annie felt dissatisfied about. She had a good dinner and she had homework she really needed to finish so she was happy to be able to go home early.
"Doesn't Mother have to go to work early?" Annie asked.
"If she does, she'll probably regret it later." Big Sis, who was seated beside her, shrugged. "It's also possible that she switched shifts with someone. She was working yesterday morning."
Annie closed her eyes and leaned against Marie. She felt Big Sis' move and hold her shoulder protectively. Okay, Big Sis was not weirding out yet. Maybe it was because there were other passengers in the bus.
"Big Sis..." Annie whispered.
"Yes?"
Did she dare ask? It was the perfect opportunity. They were not alone and they had privacy. There were not any passengers in the rows directly in front and behind them.
Annie took a deep breath. She look up into Big Sis' brown eyes. "I don't like it when you act weird while we are alone."
Duh! Wrong sentence! Wrong form! She wanted to ask a question, not make a statement. She had wanted to ask why. Instead, she had voiced her dissatisfaction.
"Weird? I'm not acting weird now, am I?"
"You know what I'm talking about," Annie accused softly, "Whenever we're alone, at home..."
Big Sis bowed her head. "I'm sorry."
"It bothers me, a lot," Annie admitted, "I want my Big Sister."
"I'll..." Marie swallowed, hard. She gazed out the window. When she finally turned back she promised, "I'll do my best. I'll be your Big Sister."
Annie rested her head against her sister's shoulder. Perhaps their relationship would get closer after this. Perhaps things would get back to normal, to the time when she could talk about anything to Big Sis.
The sisters were quiet on the walk home from the bus stop, walking separately at arm's length from each other. Annie walked with shoulders hunched and hands in her jacket pockets to ward against the evening's chill. Marie also had her hands in her pockets, but her eyes roamed about, taking in the suburban scenery lit by street lights and porch lamps.
The streets were quiet. Occasionally, cars would pass. In the distance, a dog could be heard barking.
When they reached their house, Big Sis unlocked the front door and went in. Annie slipped in and locked the door as her sister turned off the burglar alarm. Then Annie went up the stairs with Big Sis following closely behind.
"Annie," she heard Big Sis call when she reached the front of her room.
"What is it?" Annie asked as she turned around. She looked up into her sister's eyes, wondering.
Big Sis stood at the top of the stairs watching her with a blank expression. Then Marie took a halting step towards her. She forced herself forward and awkwardly embraced her little sister in a hug. "Good night, Annie," she bid with a tremble in her voice. She then released her hold and retreated to her room.
Annie entered her own room. Yes, Big Sis was still weirding out. It had showed in her manner a moment ago. But Big Sis' actions had also showed that she was true to her word, that she would try her best to overcome her discomfort.
The younger sister resolved do her best to support her sister. She would do what she could to avoid causing her elder sister grief. That meant she would not ask her sister the reason for her behavior.
She might never ask.
***
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