Autumn Showers

45- The one with the world's crappiest Christmas

I should be happy today.

I was getting to celebrate the holidays with my little sister, the piece of my heart that has been missing for nearly four years. But I felt numb mixed with a surge of guilt for not being more positive, not being a better role-model to Winter.

I was weak.

I couldn't switch of my brain for one fucking day.

'Autumn?' My grandma speaks up.

I look up from my barely touched plate, 'Yes.'

'You've barely ate your dinner.'

I force a small smile onto my face, 'I'm just not very hungry today, I'm really sorry.'

Her eyes narrow in suspicion, 'Why? Are you hungover? On a come down?'

My eyes widen as I turn to look at Winter who is completely oblivious munching down on her mashed potatoes.

'N-No, it's just the special time of the month, it makes me lose my appetite.'

I was surprised that the lie rolled of my tongue so smoothly.

'Oh. Do you need any pain relief?'

I shake my head, 'N-No, thank you.'

'How was the drive over here?'

'It was really quiet, I expected it to be busier, you know people driving over to visit their families.'

She nods stiffly, 'Excuse me, I'm going to the bathroom.'

The second she leaves Winter tugs my arm with a panicked expression on her face, my heart drops when I notice the worry glistening in her large green eyes.

'S-Sissy, I-I don't want Grammy to go to the bathroom.'

My eyebrows knit together, 'W-What? Why?'

'S-She's going to be really mad at me and I don't like it when she gets mad.'

'W-Why is she going to be mad at you?'

'I-I accidentally clogged the toilet. I didn't mean too!'

I reach out and gently stroke her hair, 'It's okay Winnie, accidents happen.'

'S-She's going to lock me in my bedroom again.'

'What?'

'W-When she gets really mad, she locks me in my bedroom all day, I-I'm not allowed to leave even if I need a toilet.'

I feel physically sick, 'You aren't allowed to go to the toilet?'

She shakes her head quickly, 'N-No, I-I'm not even allowed to eat.'

'How long does she leave you in there for?'

'Until it's morning again.'

Tears burn the corner of my eyes as I shake my head, I try my best to keep myself composed, I didn't want her to see me upset. 

'I-I'm here now, I'm not going to let anything happen to you.' I whisper as I clutch her tightly against my chest, I rock her from side to side.

Disgust runs through me as I hear footsteps against the hardwood floor, I narrow my eyes the second she walks into the room.

'What's going on? What have you done to make your sister cry?'

'N-Now, I know why you didn't want me to visit!' I hiss, 'It's nothing to do with me, It's you!'

'What on earth, are you talking about?'

'I-I'm leaving and I'm taking my sister with me.'

'If you do that, I'll call the police, I'm her legal guardian.'