Linda's Story

The Start of Cutting Ties

He stared at her across the table, hating how she and her daughter had taken part of their lives. He couldn't do anything without her knowing, or without having to check if she was around. It was annoying! He walked to where his wife was in the kitchen and tugged at her elbow.

"I need to talk to you."

Linda looked at him quizzically.

"Alone."

She followed him to the family room, coffee mug still in hand. "What?"

"When is your sister going to leave?"

"What?"

"She's been here forever already. When is she going?"

"Danny! She just lost her husband!"

"Five weeks ago! Look, you know I'm all for helping family, and family first, and all that family crap. But Wendy is not family. She's related, but she's not family. She treats you like shit, she treats me worse than shit, and she has no concept of the meaning of the word private!"

She sighed, "I know she can be a lot to handle, and calling her high maintenance is the understatement of the century, but she's my sister. What else am I supposed to do? I'd do it for any of your siblings."

"I know you have this need in you to help people, and I love that about you, but Gwendolyn or Winnifred or whatever the hell her real name is has got to go."

Wendy chose to come in at that moment, declaring, "I hope you're not planning to use hot water any time soon because I need to take a shower. And you need to watch little Sophie."

"Wendy, Danny and I have to go to work."

"Sophie needs to be watched," She insisted.

"We can't watch Sophie while you take a two hour shower and hike up our water Bill. In case ya haven't noticed, we're on the brink of broke." Danny told her sarcastically.

She gasped, "are you going to let him talk to me like that?!"

"Maybe we can get Mary to watch Sophie," Linda suggested, knowing in five minutes Danny would be late.

"He still hasn't apologized."

"Soph!" Danny called out, ignoring his sister in law.

Sophie came trotting into the room, "yes, Uncle Danny?"

"Grab your shit, we're going to Grandma's."

Sophie ran to grab her backpack and her new Barbie Doll. She showed up at Danny's side a minute later, "ready!"

"Great." He kissed Linda quickly, "I'm gonna be late. My boss is gonna have a cow."

"I know, sweetie. I'm sorry." She kissed him again before he hearses Sophie out the door. "Wendy..."

"I do not appreciate the way he talked to me, Linda. You're going to have to do something about it."

"Me?"

"Yes, you! He's your husband- learn to control him."

"Excuse me, but I do not control my husband. We have an equal partnership here. He's his own person, I am mine. We've found away to coexist that works for both of us. I don't control him. He does not control me."

"Outside of the bedroom. Cause you're his little bitch."

Linda looked appalled, shaking her head. She exaggerated a shrug, letting her hands fall to her side. "I can't do this!"

Wendy watched Linda stomp away and come back with her purse. "Where are you going?"

"To make a living, so I don't mooch off my sister." She slammed the door behind her, deciding she'd have to talk to her sister later that day.

**********

"Did you talk to your sister about her leaving?" Danny asked late that night, after dinner was eaten and put away and the kitchen was cleaned.

Linda stared at him, "don't talk about my sister when you're making love to me."

He stopped the kissed he was peppering on her neck, "you didn't talk to her. Why not?"

Linda sat up, making him sit back. "When was I supposed to talk to her? During the day when I was working? Or when I was watching Sophie while cooking dinner?"

"She need to be out of here. Please.  I can't take her anymore. I can't take her... snooty attitude!" He rolled off the bed and grabbed his pajama pants from the floor.

"What're you doing?"

"Telling her myself."

"You can't do that!" Linda jumped out of bed and barely got her nightgown on before he opened the door.

"Watch me." He stalked out the door and banged on the guest room door. "Wendy! Wendy, open this door!" He continuously banged on the door, while his wife continuously tried to get him to stop.

"What?!" Wendy yelled, yanking the door open.

"Leave."

"What?"

"Leave. Go. Get out of my house." His voice was eerily calm.

Wendy looked passed him to Linda, "Linda?"

"I have put up with you as long as I can," Danny continued. "I've put up with your bitching, I've put up with your lying; with your extensive, incredibly too long beauty routine. I've put up with you demanding to get your way, and demanding Sophie get treated like a Princess. I've put up with you driving our bills through the roof! But you know what, Wendy? I'm done! I'm done with putting up with you. I want my life back, and the only way that's going to happen is if you get the f*** out."

"How dare you talk to me like that?! Do you know who I am?"

"Don't you?"

Linda failed to turn a laugh into a cough.

"Linda!" Wendy complained, looking shocked.

She sighed, "Wendy, he's right. You're not being a nice, appreciative house guest. I've been nice and understanding, because I know what it feels like to be betrayed. I'm sorry, but you can't stay here any longer. We can't afford you! I can try and find you a nice hotel tomorrow, but you can't stay here anymore. I'm sorry."

"But- but-" she sputtered. "But what about-"

"About what?"

"But we're sisters, Linda. We're family."

"You're pulling the family card now? Danny's family too, and you've been a complete nightmare to him. He's been more than understanding and patient when it's come to you and your.... routine, and the least you can do is pretend to be happy and grateful for it. But you don't, you aren't."

"I'm your sister, Linda."

"And Danny's my husband. After refusing to come to my wedding, and not speaking to me since you moved to your own place as soon as you could... Danny trumps you."

"But-"

"Pack up your things. I want you out of here by lunchtime tomorrow." Linda turned on her heel and stalked back to her bedroom, Danny on her heels.

"You did the right thing, honey. Inviting her in and kicking her out."

"Then why doesn't it feel right?" Linda whispered, suddenly feeling defeated. "She came to me for help- the first time she's ever done that- and I kicked her out on her butt."

He hugged her, "only because you care."

She knew that she wouldn't talk to or see her sister for a very long time after tomorrow. She knew it was probably better that way, but that didn't mean she liked it.