Unprecedented Silence

Wren

My sister, Gail, opened up the door after I banged furiously at it. It was our 'thing' since we were kids. Whenever we knock on each other's bedroom, we would hit the door so hard our mom would yell "Wren!!Gail!! What's going on there?!". She would climb upstairs and both of us will lock our doors before she gets inside the room. We would shout "Everything's fine, Mom!" then we'll laugh our heart out. I know, we we're pesky, little, kids before.

Her face and eyes lit up and we hugged each other tight. I cannot deny that I missed her too.

"Oh! Gosh! Wren, look at you! You're getting bigger and by bigger, I mean the size." She stifled a laugh.

"Well, I miss you too, 'lil sis." I carried my bag inside and we sat on the couch. I noticed it was not as clean as usual. If I were to use my own standards of the word 'clean' then I would say that the house was spotless. But knowing Gail, she redefined the word 'clean'.  She was OC since we were kids and you better not mess up her things coz she will eat you alive. So I was surprised to find the house very un-Gail like. 

"Whoah, Ms. OC, it seemed like you got busy. The last time this happened was with Migs. Got boy problems lately?" I asked teasingly. Before she and her last boyfriend Migs broke up the house became so cluttered she couldn't even find her keys.

"Of course not! I was just busy at work. I told you on the phone I haven't cleaned yet. Remember?" Her tone was defensive but I did not mention it.

"Owkaay. Anyway, I thought of going out tonight. I just need some rest and later we'll drive downtown."

"What? You just got here from a 6-hour drive and now you wanna head out? Where are you getting your energy? Seriously?" 

"I already planned this out, okay? I gotta stick to my schedule or else I'm not gonna finish my whole agenda for this weekend. Just... just go with it please. I really want this weekend to go smoothly as possible. I've waited for this since Michael and the kids planned their trip. This was the first time I got a time for myself since the kids came. Even 'Michael and me time' got cut down to twice a week." I winked at her. 

"Ugh! Gross! Please don't tell me about your 'alone time' with your husband. Too disgusting for me." she exclaimed.

"Alright, so are you willing to cooperate with me? Don't worry I planned the entire weekend with you on my mind." 

"Fine. Either way I can't do anything about it. But that's new... Wren planning? Maybe having a family was really good for you." she laughed.

"Why don't you try it yourself huh?" I shot back.

"Thanks, but I'll pass." she answered.

"No, really. Don't you plan to settle down? Tell me, do you have someone special? It's been a year since you and Migs broke up." I coaxed. But before she could even answer, my phone rang. "Oh shoot! It's Michael, I told him I'll call when I arrive but apparently, he's the one calling. I gotta take this." I told my sister. "Yes, of course. I'll just go upstairs, I'll bring your things inside your room." She went upstairs and when she already disappeared, I answered the call.

"Hi, hon! How are you and the kids?" I asked. 

"We're okay. I think they're enjoying it here. I figured you already arrived so I called. How's the drive?" His voice sounded upset. 

"Aw, I'm so sorry hon. I know I told you I'll call but I missed Gail and we chatted for a while. But the drive's fine. It was as I expected. My neck's a little stiff but I'm good. Please tell me you're not upset." 

"Hmm... I was just worried 'coz you didn't call, but I understand. So how's Gail?"

"She's fine. Although I can sense something's going on. I have yet to find out." 

"What do you mean?" he asked. 

"You know hon, no one knows Gail more than I do. I can tell something's off just by hearing her voice or even just by looking at her. It's that sister vibe I just can't explain." Suddenly, I heard Gail's footsteps coming from the stairs. "Oh, here she is, I gotta go hon. Tell the kids I said Hi and I love them. Bye!"

"Hey wait, how about me?" he protested.  "Of course I love you so much! See you soon and enjoy your time with the kids!"

"I love you too. Take care. Bye!" Then he hung up. I put my phone inside my pocket and face Gail. 

"So, how's Michael and the kids?" she asked.

"They're fine. Michael told me they're enjoying it. By the way, don't you have work today?"

"No. today and tomorrow's my off." 

"That's great! I think I'll go upstairs and rest. My neck was stiff from the drive. Then we'll head out later." I told her. 

"Sure. I, uh.. I.. I'll be here. Just tell me when you're ready." There was uncertainty in her voice that I can't seem to place. But I let it slip. I went upstairs to my old bedroom. It was pretty much the same since I last visited. I changed my clothes and made myself comfortable on my bed. I was tired but not sleepy. After half an hour, I heard a car rumbling below. I look over the window and I noticed Gail pulling out of the garage. I wondered where would she be going.