Write off the Fear

Chapter 8

As winter break draws near, the Summertime Sisters have done a few 'Friday Night Jams' and have gained a following of about 2 thousand people. Mim isn't used to all the attention she's getting in school, but her friends and sisters help her through it. They've sung a few originals that Mim co-writes with her sisters and they've done one or two covers upon request from viewers. Liza has even started designing a band logo for them and people have been asking if they would ever do any merchandise. It's all a lot for the sisters, but they take it one day at a time and have each other to keep them grounded.

It was now the Sunday before the last week of school, before winter break and Mim and Liza were at Liza's usual booth at the local flea market. Liza's work has been a big hit with everyone and she's gotten some commissions through the market. Mim can tell that Liza loves going to these Sunday fleas, she sees the big unrestrained smiles she gives to people when they ask her about her work and they discuss other inspiring artists. Mim isn't sure she's ever seen Liza so in her element.

Right now, Mim was walking around the market by herself, walking over to the farmer's market next door as well, to pick up some food and coffee for her twin and herself. She's just about to pay for her order when there's a tap on her shoulder. Mim turns around and sees Katelyn smiling at her. She's shocked at first then kindly returns the smile and turns back to the person taking her order to put in another set of pastry and coffee, then she pays up and they move to the side.

"Hey." Mim says

"Hi." Katelyn replies

"Um, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, just walking around. I'm here with my parents."

"Oh, cool cool...oh, should I have gotten them drinks too?" Mim asks slightly panicking that maybe it was rude of her to assume Katelyn was alone.

Katelyn puts a reassuring hand on Mim's arm and tells her it's okay and that her parents already had their coffee. Mim's name is called out and they take the five steps, to the counter, to collect the three drinks and pastries in brown bags.

After they've gotten everything, they step away from the stall and Mim turns to Katelyn to ask, "Would you wanna come with me to Liza's booth?"

"I'd love to." Katelyn says with a big smile on her face and they start walking back towards the flea market, in the direction of Liza's booth.

They chat about the band and school and the upcoming holidays.

"Yeah, my brother's coming back for a visit during break and I'm kind of looking forward to it. Don't tell the doofus, but I've been missing him." Katelyn says with a bit of a playful eye roll

"Your secret's safe with me." Mim stage whispers and Katelyn chuckles a little at that.

They walk in comfortable silence for a bit before Mim adds on,

"I'm not sure how I'm going to be when Mia goes off to college next year." She says a little sadly

"You guys seem really close right now, but hey. At least you've got Liza and Chris and well, you've got me." Katelyn says the last part a little shyly with a tinge of a blush on her cheeks, but that could just be from the cold Mim thinks.

"We weren't always close." Mim says, deciding to file away the information Katelyn has provided for another time. "I'm sure if you've seen her around before, we never really talked in school. Honestly, we never really talked at home either. When we did talk, it was more like screaming matches than actual civilized conversation." Mim sighs, remembering the years before the past summer.

"What changed?" Katelyn asks

"Don't get me wrong, I love my sisters and before dad died, we had our moments and we still fought like most siblings do, but we were happy. Then after, I guess we all dealt with it differently and without dad around to help us see clearly, we lost our way. And mom tried, but she was dealing with a bigger heartbreak than all of us combined so we didn't bother her with our problems." Mim says with a shrug and they stay silent for a while as they reach the start of the flea market.