When Nikki saw that Dad had finally lost his grip on reality and was crying, she didn't ask any more questions. She just stared. I couldn't get her out of the house fast enough for my taste. If there is one thing I hate, it's seeing my dad cry. Nikki apparently hadn't seen enough.
When we finally got outside, Nikki turned to me with her mouth open but the look in her eyes said that this was serious business. "What the hell is going on here Ari?" I opened the car door for her and grabbed her keys. "I am not going to talk about this without a few drinks to wash my mouth out with. You saw what Dad looked like.You're going to want a drink too. Or maybe just somewhere where Mom and Dad aren't expecting you to be hurt and to cry with them. It might even be your lucky day!"
I said this as I walked around her car and got in the driver's seat. Nikki pestered me all the way to our favorite bar. I may not be old enough to drink legally, but Nikki had made a fake ID for me for my 18th birthday and since I looked old enough to be her age, we just pretended we were best friends instead of sisters. It was a nice setup. I can't even count the number of times I had bailed her out of some messy situations and she had always done the same for me.
Growing up, Nikki and I hated each others guts. Nikki was always the smartest, getting As in her classes while I had to struggle to pass even the simplest things. But I was the better kid, very rarely getting into trouble. It was only when Nikki moved out so she could live on the college campus did we realize that we were better if we were together. Then, Mom and Dad couldn't find fault in either one of us. We agreed to both be mediocre. I would start getting into trouble and Nikki would quit being so smart.
The bar wasn't very crowded, being only three on a school day, most of the college kids who frequented there were still in classes. This worked out in our favor.
"Nikki, what I'm about to tell you is really important, completely serious,and not a joke or a fantasy. So don't even go there."
Nikki just took a big swig of beer and nodded.
"Old Man Wizard has put an Unbreakable Killing Curse on me."
I said it forcefully and directly, looking her right in the eyes as I said it. I wanted to know if her first reaction was relief, pity,anger, or disbelief. Turns out, that was a bad decision, because I got spewed a mouthful of beer. She spluttered and coughed and tried to get a breath while I wiped my face off with a napkin and whacked her on the back.
"S-s-so,"Nikki still hadn't caught her breath, "you mean to tell me you're going to die? When??" Before I answered she whispered to herself, "It's a good thing I have this drink right now." I smiled. Once again, I knew what her reaction would be. "The night of my 21st birthday."
Nikki nodded and said nothing. She drank her beer and ordered another one. I sat and watched the football game re-run on the TV as I also drank in silence. All I needed in the world was for this to be just a bad dream. I had acted strong and uncaring so Mom wouldn't freak out. I had taken Nikki for a drink and told her the only way I knew she would be able to handle it. But how was I going to deal with this new reality. That was the question.
The only question that really matters anymore.
