I cant sleep without you

People may not come back.

       We gazed at each other for a few moments. Kara is still asleep. My mom's expression remained inscrutable. I couldn't discern if she was angry, but she certainly wasn't pleased with what she witnessed. She gestured for me to leave, indicating that I should exit without waking Kara, and then departed herself. I lay on my back, grasping my head, my fingers entwined in my hair. I needed to compose myself. My heart raced with trepidation. A serious conversation was inevitable, yet I had hoped she would discover our secret in a different manner. Kara continued to slumber peacefully, her breath soft and rhythmic. Carefully extracting my hand from beneath her, I tenderly pressed my lips to her temple, lingering there momentarily. I harbored a fervent hope that everything would resolve itself. Rising quietly and donning the first garment I could find, I made my way to the door, stealing one final glance at the serenely sleeping figure of Kara, without whom I couldn't envision another day.

        My mother sat at the kitchen table, her face expressing serious contemplation, her gaze fixed ahead into nothingness. I, slowly, took a seat across from her, and now her eyes were on me. I remained silent, unable to meet her gaze. It felt like we had been sitting in this awkward silence for an eternity. 

Finally, she broke the heavy silence:

— How long has this been going on? — Her voice sounds stern, and it rattles my composure. My legs start to twitch nervously.

— It's hard to say... — I swallow, still looking down.

— And how far has it gone between you two? — I feel like I'm in the midst of the most depressing interrogation.

— We... — a lump forms in my throat, trying to push it away, nothing has happened yet, calm down, Amy! — We love each other.

— Love?! — she reacts sharply, her voice rising. — Amy, I asked you to love her like a sister! — her tone becomes louder.

— Well, sorry for misunderstanding you! — my tone also rises, but I immediately stop. Now is not the time to argue with her.

— Amy... — she shakes her head slightly, as if not believing what I've said. — I was so happy that you two became friends, that you became as close as real sisters, but you were just fooling me! — for the first time, I hear disappointment in her voice directed at me. It hits me hard in the heart. Tears well up in my eyes. I can't say anything in response, — you... — she pauses for a moment, — you need to stop this, — my heart stops. I shake my head in denial.

— No, Mom, it's impossible, — I continue shaking my head. My words sound firm because I believe in them, — I'm really sorry we disappointed you, but you need to accept this, — I stare into her eyes intently.

— Accept?! — her voice breaks into a scream, — YOU'RE TELLING ME TO ACCEPT THAT YOU'RE SLEEPING WITH YOUR SISTER?!

— I LOVE HER! — my voice breaks on this scream.

— LOVE WHOEVER YOU WANT, AMY! LOVE WHOEVER YOU PLEASE, BUT NOT YOUR SISTER! — our shouts are no longer under control.

— BUT WHAT DOES IT MATTER, — I can't shout anymore, — we're not blood-related anyway! — my voice is already hoarse.

— Not blood-related? — she asks again, her voice dripping with disbelief, — NOT BLOOD-RELATED?! — With those words, she swiftly strides to the cupboard and pulls out several documents, throwing them in front of me on the table, — Tell me what this is? — I quickly scan through the text.

— Adoption certificate.

— Exactly! It clearly states here in black and white that she is officially my daughter! She's a Bennett, just like you and me! Doesn't that mean anything to you?!