My Section of Dysfunction

Chapter 10

"What's going on here?" I ask, my voice cold. My stare doesn't leave my mother as I speak. She opens her mouth to say something but Aunt Kali interrupts her before she does.
"Everything is fine, don't worry about it." Aunt Kali said in a small voice. Her eyes lock with mine and beg me not to ask anymore questions.
"Okay." I mumble, though it is certainly not okay.
An awkward silence falls on the room. No one knows what to say. Everyone but me exchanges glances, never letting their eyes rest on one person too long. I focus on Aunt Kali. Her lips are pale and her once ivory skin is now a sickly yellow under the harsh hospital lights. Her frail body looked to small in her baggy hospital gown. She may look completely different, but her eyes are still hers. Aunt Kali's bright blue eyes had seen so much hurt in her job alone. These eyes have seen broken legs, crying families, and hopeless situations. They had seen death, but they'd also seen life, my life. They'd seen my birth, my first day of school, and the day it all went wrong. These eyes staring back at me were full of hope and love just like they've always been.
For once, I'm the one to break the silence.
"So how are you feeling?" I ask. I know it's a stupid question, but I don't allow myself to ask the real ones.
"I had a nap a while ago so I'm feeling pretty good now." Aunt Kali replied.
" I'm glad you're feeling better." Enna says with a small smile on her face. Gabe and I nod in agreement.
"Gabby," Aunt Kali says turning to my mother, " These are Faye's friends Gabe and Enna.
"Well it's nice to meet you even though the circumstances are unfavorable." my mother responds in her usual formal tone. She forces s smile that doesn't meet her eyes.
"Yeah it's nice to meet you too." Enna says as she try's her best to look friendly. I can tell she's uncomfortable, but everyone else is too. Enna has heard the horror stories, now she's seeing the monster in real life. I'd be in shock too.
"I'm really happy you guys can back, but I'm sure you'd be a lot more comfortable at home." Aunt Kali says in a weak voice. "You need to go home and get some rest. I'll be fine. Nothing's going to change in a few hours." I desperately want to believe her but doubt gets in the way.
"Okay." I say after a short pause. "If you need anything tell me."
"I will, I promise, now just go home and relax." Aunt Kali says.
I walk over to her bed and attempt to hug her through a bundle of Ivs and tubes.
"I love you." I mumble. I can't remember the last time I told her that.
"I love you too." she says as she softly kisses my cheek. I release her and walk back to Gabe and Enna.
~
My mother insisted she'd walk us out as she was going to the cafeteria anyway. The elevator ride was silent one. Gabe, Enna, and I stood on one side of the elevator with her on the other. Everyone's eyes stayed fixed on the floor.
When we reached the lobby, Gabe and Enna walked out first while I slowed my pace to match my mothers. We needed to talk. Enna quickly noticed my lagging behind and was about to speak before Gabe drew her attention to him. He mumbled something along the lines of "Just let them talk." and ushered her out the door.
"We need to talk." I said trying to keep my voice steady.
"Sure." was her only response.
I lead her towards two bright green, cushioned chairs towards the hospital entrance.
"So," I began "I know that you coming her shows that you must care about her, which you should with her being your sister and all, but this still doesn't make up for all the years you've abandoned us." I hadn't spoke to her in years, the days of phone calls on Mother's Day and presents on birthdays had long passed.
"You can be here with her now, because she wants you to for whatever reason. Just know that the second you upset her and make her life even more stressful than it already is you're leaving." She looks hurt and for a moment I feel bad, then I remember that she deserves it.
"As much as I don't like it she wants both of us here. Inevitably we're going to have to work together to keep her happy. After this is over" my voice breaks "we never have to see each other ever again."
A silent tear rolls down her cheek. I know if I don't leave soon one will be rolling down mine as well.
"I'm so sorry." she says, so quiet it's almost a whisper.
"You should be." I hiss back. She says something else, but I've already stormed out before I can hear it.