Reaching The Stars

Twenty Three

We just stare at each other not expecting this. Wow she looks exactly like mom. I don't know how to go about this conversation at all.

Nyla decides to speak first, "You're here." She says more like a question. This is awkward as fuck.

"Yea I'm sorry for just showing up out the blue like this." I say.

"No no, let's go up to my room to talk." She tells me. We're getting somewhere.

Once we're in her room, she closes the door and has a seat on the bed and I do the same.

"I'm sorry this is awkward, I wanted to come down here to mend our relationship. I've thought about it for so many years but I thought you had your own family now and didn't need me or dad. I miss you big sis, I want us to be close. But can I also say you look exactly like mom when she was in her teen years and even later in her life." I ramble on.

She smiles, "I realized I do look like mom. I'm sorry for not reaching out sooner or even going to visit. I thought dad hated me for moving on with my life but I had my reasons. I also thought you hated me for abandoning you after mom dad and even before that. I was never a good big sister to you and I'm so sorry. I ignored the call's because I needed some space after mom died I felt so numb then dad became a alcoholic and I just needed to get away from the toxicity but that's no excuse for leaving." I get where she's coming from.

I'm not going to be hard on her but I'm also not going to forgive so easily. I need her to explain why she never reached out even years later.

"Why didn't you reach out later. I needed my big sister and you weren't there. I had no one to turn to. I had to take care of dad when he went towards alcohol, became an alcoholic and couldn't even work because he was so drunk. I had to manage 2 or 3 jobs just to pay the bills because dad was too drunk to remember anything. I mean he finally went to rehab after I begged and cried for him to go get some help. That time I didn't have no one to lean on. I wanted you Nyla through it all. I came here to build back the relationship but stronger than ever." I have tears down my eyes and so does she.

She can hear the hurt in my voice and the pain I went through as just a teenager.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry Myra for real. Nothing I say is going to change or make up for anything. I want to try and start now. I know this little apology won't change anything and you probably won't even accept this but for now on I want to gain back trust and everything. Whenever you go back I'll go with you to see dad I'll even take my kids." I smile she's trying and I know she feels bad.

"Thank you. Speaking of I want to see your kids. I want to get to know my niece and nephew. I see that you're happy." She smiles and shows me all the pictures.

When they were born, toddlers and even now.

"How old are they?" I ask.

"My daughter Layla is 4 and my son Ashton is 2. They're at my husband's parents house for a few nights, I needed a break." I laugh.

"Wow they both look so much like you they're so cute." She smiles.

"Thank you. The guy who answered the door is my husband Kyan we've been married for 7 years. Another question how is dad?" She says and asks me.

"Dad is good, he's been sober for almost 4 years and he's a public defender or he does family cases as well. He's great." I say.

"Well I'm glad. You look like you're doing well. How are you what's been happening. We have to catch up." I nod because we do. It's been too long.

"Things have slightly taken a turn in my love life but I can handle it I think. I'm still best friends with Ashanti actually we live together. I'm going to start my own business soon with the help of dad. I honestly can't complain." I tell her not going in full detail on my failed love life.

"What happened with your love life?" She asks.

"It's a long story but I had a one night stand with this guy who became my boss in less than two days. We spent a lot of time together and we worked together, I was his assistant. I felt an emotional connection and physical connection with him but I was too scared to actually admit it to him. One day like last week he decided to admit his feelings but I panicked and said I couldn't be with him. I just left him without an explanation, actually I told him I didn't feel the same." I roll my eyes feeling so stupid again.

"Wow, you must of had a bad relationship before him but I feel like your mind went into overdrive and that's why you said that." I nod because that is part of the reason.

"I did have a bad relationship experience and that made me overthink everything a guy says no matter how well they treat me."

She nods, "Well I hope y'all see each other again and confess everything, every emotion. Also starting your own business just like mom. I know she's so proud of you." I nod I really hope so.

"I hope so. Let's talk about your career, what do you do?" I ask.

"I'm actually a realtor and I'm working on my phd to become a marriage counselor." Wow.

"Wow big boss." We laugh.

"I know, want something to drink or do you wanna go out for a late lunch?" She asks.

On cue my stomach starts growling and we both laugh. "Well that answers my question, come I know a good restaurant."

I walk downstairs and I see her husband.

"Sorry for not introducing myself I'm Myra, Nyla's younger sister." I go over to shake hands but he just hugs me.

"I'm Kyan which she probably already told you, but nice to meet you. I'm surprised I didn't meet you sooner." He says.

"Well we have a rocky sister relationship but we getting closer." He nods.

"Good, I'm only going to tell you this but she needed you more than ever but as she told me she's too much like her mom and so headstrong she never wants to seem weak or like she needs help." I nod and finally she walks down the stairs.

"Let's go." She said and kisses her husband.

We leave and I'm left with one thought, what happened to her all these years. What happened to her that she thought of me or needed me.

I won't ask her now, that's a conversation for another time. For now let's go enjoy a nice lunch because I'm starving.