Anna

Anna

April was having a bad day when it happened. Peter Schooner had tried to kiss her today in first grade. He chased her around the playground until April threatened to tell the teacher ‘sexual abuse’, which was something her big sister, Anna, who was in high school since she was smart, had told April about once. She had to meet Mommy’s new husband because Mommy had broken up with Daddy a few years back since she was ‘cheating’ on him, Anna had explained. April thought that everything about him was too big: A too big smile, too big hands, a too big height, and a too big voice. Everything about him made April uncomfortable, so she tried to avoid him as much as she could.

Anna was April’s idol. April loved everything about her: her looks, her style, her intelligence, her kindness. In fact, Anna had gotten April her most prized possession, a Raquelle Barbie doll complete with a monogrammed mini purse.

After the school bus had dropped her off at her house, April rang the doorbell, but no one answered. This bothered April because her big sister Anna was supposed to be at home. April reached up to press the button once more and strained to hear the faintest sound of footsteps and movement come her way. None came. She twisted the doorknob and the door swung open. The house was dark and quiet. It seemed as if no one was home, but April saw Anna’s Nikes next to the door, looking as though they were taken off in haste. She brushed it off the suspicion and scampered to her room so she could play with her Barbie and Raquelle. 

When April had found Barbie, she searched all over her room for Raquelle, but she couldn’t find her. April remembered that she was playing with Raquelle downstairs in the basement the other night when Beth came over.

April rushed down the stairs and opened the door.

The flash of blonde hair was what she saw first. And then the tears. And, finally, the knife.

“Anna?”

No answer.

“Anna?” April said, more frantically. “What are you doing?”

Anna’s head turned slowly towards April. April recoiled slightly at the despair and emptiness in her sister’s eyes. She had never seen her like this, ever. To April, Anna was always the ray of light, the source of happiness in April’s life.

“Anna, why are you trying to give yourself a boo-boo?”

Anna dropped the knife and it clattered to the floor.

“Oh, April. You don’t understand,” Anna whispered as her face crumpled and she sank into the floor. “I don’t want to do this anymore.”

“Do what, Anna?”

“I don’t want to live anymore. It would be better for everyone.”

“No, Anna, it would not be better for me,” April sobbed. “I don’t want you to die. If you die, who will play Barbies with me?”

“Marcie will.”

“No, she moved, plus she didn’t like them in the first place!”

“Oh, April.”

“Please don’t. I need you. You can’t give up now.” Anna wiped her face. Anna and April jumped slightly as April heard the garage door open and Daddy’s car pull up. “Anna, come on. Daddy’s home.”

April offered her hand. Anna took it. April and Anna made their way up the stairs, up, toward the light.