One Heart, Three Sisters
justing to Life Wi
orward as if nothing had changed, but for them, everything had. The house that once echoed with their mother's laughter a
distant relatives they had barely known. The house was filled with murmurs of condolence, the
e strong. She answered questions about the funeral, made arrangements for legal matters, and reassu
, pretending to read but barely flipping a page. She had always been close to their father, sharing an
r mother's shawl like a lifeline. She had been their parents' baby, always doted on, always protec
the funeral, when the house finally emptied
nce That
en she did, her dreams were filled with memories-her father teaching her how to d
her mother making breakfast like she alway
it her again. The
, she forced herself
rway, as if expecting to hear their mother's voice telling
" she muttered, walk
was the first time in days Ceci
at the table, staring at her plate, p
eat," Mabel
er head. "I'm
ly ate ye
d her jaw. "I
push. They were all dealing
et, the silence between
lities and
stacks of bills and documents she barely understood. Their fat
her look up. Cecilia st
n here all day
out," Mabel replied,
cross from her. "You don
to take care of everything. But the trut
admitted. "I
papers. "Then let's f
mal life. She had to resume her NYSC soon, but t
she told Cec
gently. "Mom and Dad would
mething happens
Nothing's going to ha
elieve that, but
st Majo
ive, and soon, small thing
find Phebe watching TV while d
sh the dishes?" Ma
look up. "I
d that y
S
d. "So, I'm tired! I ca
standing up. "You act like you'
slammed her hand on the table. "
her forehead. "Can y
lled with tears
lted into exhaus
t's stop fighting. We on
ed. The fight made them realize t
Forward
e pain didn't disappear, but
cilia went back to work, and Phebe eventually r
y sat outside, w
y're watching ove
faintly. "I lik
o matter what happens, we'
time in months,
their love remained. And th