holiday syndrome

3. the cafe

"who is in control"

gif: marley

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     MARLEY was in distress when her sister called her and requested her presence at a fancy cafe uptown. She hadn't talked to Mack in a few weeks since Christmas passed and she had left on her honeymoon. It wasn't that Mack never talked to her, as they usually got coffee together every few months, but it was still a bit of a surprise. 

     Marley figured that with the wedding and the dinner, Mack would be done with her for a while. At least until New York. Unfortunately, that was not the case, as Mack had decided that they needed to fully catch up on each other's lives and completely plan out the trip. The New York trip wasn't for another few weeks and Marley was already over it. 

     "Milan was definitely the most astounding experience, I mean the passion in these designers and models. It was breathtaking, I honestly wish you could have been there." 

     Bullshit, Marley thought while sipping her latte as a way to avoid conversation. She figured that even if she felt like talking, Mack would talk over her anyway. She wasn't exactly sure how she got roped into going to lunch with her sister, but Mack had always been persistent. 

     Marley liked to pretend that she was stronger and could stand up to her sister, but then she found herself at a fancy cafe she hated. Mack was in the middle of detailing her entire year as if Marley would die without knowing every single moment of it. 

     "But that's enough about me, it's your turn, Mars. What crazy life have you been living while I've been gone?" 

     "I haven't, been living that is. I've become a shut in and I'm off to a convent next year. It's time to give back to the Lord," Marley said blandly, picking at her berry fusion muffin. The air was getting stale in the cafe and it was depressingly quiet, save the low muttering from the old couple next to them. 

     How boringly classy. 

     Mack just blinked back at Marley and took a nimble bite of her lemon loaf, choosing not to respond to Marley's bitter humour. 

     "So, how is married life? Is Mads your soulmate of all soulmates?" Marley was trying not to sound ironic and cruel, which she was being, and thankfully Mack didn't notice. Mack wasn't an idiot but she didn't pay attention enough to hear the tone in Marley's voice. 

     "It's just wonderful! We're so happy, just brilliantly happy. Isn't it just so bloody lovely to be in love? We can't keep our hands off of each other and Mads is just an incredible lover," Mack swooned, clearly oblivious to Marley's uncomfortable expression. "I swear, you wouldn't know by looking at him, but he knows how to do things that you wouldn't even--"

     Mack was interrupted by the sound of shattering glass at the farthest end of the café. Marley flinched and a small, childish noise was released from her throat in reaction to the sound. Her sister narrowed her eyes as if she was frustrated that Marley dared to be startled.

     "I am glad things are going well," Marley declared quietly, glancing behind her to see a barista sweeping up glass. He looked up and saw Marley staring, giving her a small smile and a wink.

     Marley quickly turned back to her sister and shoved the rest of her muffin in her mouth.

     "I'm glad I'm happy too." 

     There wasn't anything but happiness in her tone, like she wasn't bothering to rub it in or brag. 

     "It's high time you find someone; I'd hate for you to wind up alone in some house with no one to take of you. I talk to mom on the phone and I just can't imagine being like—" Mack paused in the middle of her sentence and seemed to realize what she was saying. Marley grit her teeth, running her tongue against the back of her teeth. "Of course she has you though," Mack said lamely, a pitiful recovery from the insult to her and her mother.