The Mute

1

VALERIE

The atmosphere was one of happiness. The chatter and raucous laughter of the guests made me uneasy and self-conscious but I had no choice but to be here. For Skye's sake. Besides, I was now invisible. The initial shock of seeing the mute daughter of the Kingsley's had worn off. Nobody paid me any attention and I was relieved.

I watched as my father and stepmother lavished Skye with gifts and felt nothing. Just pure happiness for her. I had grown accustomed to being left out - an intruder, as Regina was fond of referring to me as. I no longer felt sad nor depressed but had accepted the fact that she didn't want me. That no one except my newly adopted family wanted me.

Today was lovely Skye's birthday and though my enthusiasm didn't match up to hers, I was genuinely happy. I loved Skye a lot. She meant the world to me. I smiled as she ran towards me, her ginger curls bouncing after her. Her smile was so wide I wondered if the muscles in her jaws didn't ache. I notice everyone's attention was directed at us but I ignored it, focusing on my sister.

"Val? My gift." She said softly, stretching out her palm to me, her eyes dancing with excitement. She looked wild with her unruly ginger curls which contrasted with sparkly green eyes.

I reached into my dress pocket and pulled out a rectangular, shaped gift box and handed it to her. I watched as she opened the case slowly and warily as if she was afraid of whatever the case contained.

I watched as her wary expression morphed into one of shock as she gasped softly. Her dazed eyes stared up at me in awe as she brought out a silver harmonica with an engraving of her name on it. She embraced me tightly and I was pleased that she loved it. I knew of her love for musical instruments.

"Thanks so much Val! I love you. This is the best gift ever!"

"At least she'd loved it." Came the voice of Regina, my stepmother. She was smiling at me but I knew she was probably cursing me in her heart.

Five years after my mom's demise, my father had remarried. I had been twelve at the time. Young, naive and innocent, I had tried my best to be the daughter Regina could never have because she was barren. And bitter. She couldn't stand me. The mere sight of me irritated her. Two years later, little adopted Skye came into the picture and brought immense happiness to Regina. I'd been equally as happy when a ten year old Skye joined the family. She really did make an impact. Regina loved Skye with all her heart. Though I had been very sad because I was unwanted, it made me glad. It did prove Regina had a heart.

"Come child, let me feed you." Regina said, holding a huge slice of chocolate cake on a plate. Skye ran towards her, taking a bite of the cake and walking towards me with the rest.

"Have some." She offered. I bit into the cake and gave her a thumbs up. She grinned happily.

"Won't you feed your aunt too?" Dexy said, smiling at Skye.

Skye frowned and asked coldly, " Since when did you become my aunt?"

Dexy glared at her. She turned to Regina in anger. "See how your daughter is humiliating me in front of the guests! Regina say something, I'm her aunt!"

Regina sighed. " Skye apologize to your Aunt Dexy."

Skye snorted. "Aunt Dexy? That's funny. She was the same person who told me she was too young to be an aunt."

"You!" Dexy let out and stormed off.

Dexy was twenty four and my father's sister. Technically she was our aunt but would always get mad when Skye addressed her as aunt. According to her, she was young and aunties were old and boring.