Dancing in the Oaks

She is my Sister?

Just a a few minutes later my parents came knocking back on the door. I rolled my eyes and opened it. "Norah, we have one more thing that we need to tell you." Oh sure, so now they have even more they have to admit to. Just when I thought I could not get any angrier at them.

I looked over at Nick with a face of concern. "Tell me what? What more? You've already told me so much of what y'all have done." I tried a little too hard to not come off as mad, but it did not work in the slightest degree.

"Huckleberry Dale. Norah, when you were born you weren't the only one born." My mother began to explain. Of course, she was standing in her classic crossed arm and popped out left leg position.

"Well, duh, there's thousands of others born on the same..." I have to admit that I most likely sounded very rude. On top of that I was getting really defensive.

My mother interrupted by saying, "you two aren't cousins. You two are sisters. She's your fraternal twin."

I immediately backed up and fell back into Nick, who was standing up next to the window. He gave me a hug to the best of his ability. His arms wrapped around my waist. Tears poured as the realization sank in even more. She was the last person that I thought would be my sister. "No! No, that cannot be right. First y'all hated Nick. Lied about me. Forged opa Müllers signature. Lied on statements. Lied about the company. Hide that from me now! Welcomed Nick to the family because I am dating him, but then admitted to attempted murder! Tried to kill him! Basically kicked Nick and I out of the house as soon as y'all returned back. Who took care of everything while y'all were 'dead'? Don't even fight me with this. I'm done! Admittedly committed arson! Y'all knew that Berry and the Dales lived here. Y'all moved here to be closer to them. How could y'all do any of this? The business tanked because you committed tax evasion, but got away with it. What goes around comes around and after a while of success that empire was cut off. I read that paper. Almost killed my freaking Nick! Y'all have no idea how much that would have shattered my heart into pieces. I love him. He doesn't deserve any of this. Don't expect me to come back. I'll consider if you make things right. Admit to what you've done. I can't take the pressure and I don't want to drag Nick through this. I protect him. I cannot believe this! On the other hand, I don't know what to believe at all. It seems like there's no truth or no lies because it all contradicts. Why did we move here? Why didn't you tell me? Does Berry know?" I was on the verge of screaming when Nick wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"We moved here because it would be better for you guys. Berry does know. She has known since she was 8. Uncle Dale is my brother." My mother said, "Yes, that is the cold, hard truth."

"I can't take anything anymore. I need to talk to Nick about something. I will be coming by tomorrow morning to get my stuff. After Nick gets discharged from the hospital I will come by." I said quietly.

My parents left again. This time they actually left the facility. "I'm so sorry Norah" Nick couldn't believe it. "We can move into my house. It will be alright. I'm so sorry and beyond annoyed with how they are being."

I have to admit that I was ready to fall over and cry. "Nick... I have money so I can stay at the hotel two miles away. I don't wanna go home."

"Norah... hold on...you can do that if you wanna." he took a drink of water. His hands slipped around my back as he gave me a tight hug. I did the same and wrapped my arms around his back. I rested my head against his chest. I could hear his perfect heartbeat. He wore a pair of black sweatpants and a sweatshirt that smelled of pine trees. My eyes just fluttered to combat the tears. I am so sick and tired of fighting, fighting this war. It seems never ending.

"I don't know... w-what to do..." my voice stuttered.

He said, still hugging me, "It's okay. I'll keep you safe. I won't let them do anything else. I'm here for you. Don't just give up because of that. You can distance yourself and stay away. It's okay. Are you afraid? because you don't have to be!" I could hear his shallow breathing in my ear as we just stood there hugging.

I looked over at the clock and realized it was 9:45 at night. The time warped past. He let me go. When he saw my face he was shocked. "I know... I'm a mess. I hate a lot of things right now. I am a pure mess., so much so that it just hurts too much."

His eyes looked into mine, "Norah, don't say that. I know, I'm in shock too. You're pale in the face. You should sit down. Here there is some water." He gave me his bottle of water. I had a long drink. "Here..." He helped me over to the bench by the window. I laid down on the bench as he held my hand.

"Nick?" I asked.

"Hmm."

"I trust you and everything, but I don't want you to do anything like that. This whole situation just makes me hopeless. This is ridiculous. The lies, deceit, hatred... Just please don't leave and please stay with me. I will hang out here tonight if that is fine." I cried.

"Oh Norah, of course. This is out of your control. I will always stay." His eyes stared into mine.

I went to sleep on the small bench. It was quite small, in fact too small. I could barely fit on the bench. Nick was awake and watching the television on the wall. I could hear it. I was still angered and wondering why would my parents do any of this....oh wait...