A Sister's Love

"So, how long was it again after I left was Flashfire born?" you ask.

"About two or three years," your father answers, "which would make her 14. She has grown up well."

"Well of course she has," you say, "she's normal."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" your mother asks.

"Well, unlike myself, Flashfire has the normal Tamaranian colors: red hair, green eyes, and I'm sure she has green bolts, too."

Your parents look at each other, and both seem to understand.

"True," your mother admits, "Flashfire does have the same colorings as all other Tamaranians. But that doesn't mean she has gotten along with the other children any better than you did."

"What?" You don't believe what she is saying.

"Son," your father speaks up, "your sister may look like the others, but she is the only one with a brother like you, someone who doesn't look like them. The same kind of children who bullied you for looking different tease her for having a brother who is different."

You think about all of this, and imagine your sister, being teased to the point of tears because she was related to someone she didn't even know.

"But, there is one thing you should know," your mother says, resting a hand on your shoulder. "Never once did she think less of you. She didn't hate you for being different, she didn't hate you for not being here with us, she didn't hate herself for being related to you. She always loved you."

Hearing those words meant so much to you. You get up and peek in on Blackfire and your sister. The two are giggling and laughing, Flashfire snug in her bed, Blackfire seated on the edge. You go past her room and head to yours.

It is just as you remember. Your bed is in the corner, with your old stuffed animal--a little monster with big teeth and a little horn--sitting on the pillow. You walk to the bed, and lie down. It is still as soft as when you were a kid, and the horned monster is still full of stuffing and beads, making him rattle as you move him.

You get up and go back to Flashfire's room. She's still up, giggling at the funny stories Blackfire is telling her.

"I'm surprised this little guy didn't end up with you," you say to your sister, showing the girls your little horned monster doll.

"I didn't take it because it wasn't mine," Flashfire says. "I always hoped you'd come back for him, so that I could see you at least once. So that, for those few moments that you'd be here, we'd be a complete family again."

You are so touched by what she said, that you give her the monster.

"Really?" she says. "I can have it?"

"Of course," you tell her. "I have something else I can snuggle in bed with." You hold Blackfire in your arms. The girls laugh, and you take Blackfire back to your room.

"We're not doing that, are we?" Blackfire whispers.

"No, no," you say, "Not with my parents and sister still awake to hear. We can just sleep tonight."

You and Blackfire lie in bed, and you look at the ceiling. You remember how it was growing up on Tamaran.
You remember having to wear the traditional Tamaranian shirts with the metal collars, and how your skin would get irritated while the other kids were just fine. You remember how the children teased you, calling you "Blue Boy". You remember being pushed into trees, onto the ground. You remember the day of Spitfire's death.

Slowly, you drift off to sleep, Blackfire wrapped in your arms.