Disturbing the Peace

Chapter 15

As she nods her little head, my head spins. "Maple, it-it's you?" I touch her face as if not sure this is real.

She nods again. Confusion and comprehension somehow mixed into her expression. She doesn't run away, as though she feels the connection we always used to have. I certainly do. "H-how do you know who I am?"

This little sentence breaks my heart. I couldn't have expected her to remember, right? I mean, the connection is definitely still there even if she doesn't remember who I am. When I left, it was August 6th, 2005, and she was the one thing I felt sad about leaving behind in that stupid house.

"Maple, I'm your sister."

Her eyes widen. "I-I have a sister?"

This makes me even sadder. Mom didn't tell her anything? Of course not, she was ashamed of me. Whatever, who needs her anyways?

"We have a lot to talk about," I laugh, wiping the tears from my eyes. They're mostly tears of joy. I have my sister back.

I ask her to sit down on the grass; she does so timidly. "If you're my sister, what's my full name?"

I laugh. "Maple Kia Anderson." I smile at her pretty name.

She nods. "What's your name?" she asks.

"Willow Shane Anderson," I respond coolly. "Mom had a weird obsession with tree names. We're lucky we didn't end up with a brother named Oak." We both laugh at this.

"Why have I never met you?"

"Because mom didn't respect my beliefs as a hippie. She kicked me out when I was 9 to go live with my best friend. I think they did all the legal forms later. I got to keep my last name though."

"Sounds like something mom would do," she says then sighs.

"She's such a perfectionist," we say in exact unison. I'm the first to burst out giggling and Maple follows in suit.

"You were only two when I left."

Her eyes widen in realization. "The blonde girl from when I was two. When I remembered you once, mom convinced me you were the girl next door, and you were simply staying with us for a summer."

I roll my eyes. "Mom destroyed our relationship," I whisper. "We were as close as could be. Most kids that much older than their younger siblings would just leave their brothers and sisters at home, but I would take you with me places. You used to like me more than mom, which really made her pissed. She couldn't make you laugh unless she tickled you. She tried everything to make you smile; then I would simply walk in the room and you would light up like a Christmas tree." My eyes get tears again. "I miss it. I've always missed having my sister."

She hugs me. "Don't cry. Then I'll cry."

I hug her back. "I can't help it. I've missed you so much. I always wanted to watch you grow up and now I've missed it. You're already, what? Eleven?"

She nods in response.

"I've missed most of you growing up, and you didn't even know I existed. I failed as an older sister," I choke out.

"You're here now," she reassures me. "Most people wouldn't have even done that."

With those words, she makes me feel okay. "Thanks."

She nods in the crook of my neck. We just sit there hugging for a while, sentimentality filling the ends of all my nerves as I feel her warm body against mine.

We pull away, smiling at each other. After that, we catch up on each other's lives and end up in a conversation about boys. Oh, she has no idea about boys yet. I barely have an idea about boys. Ferris and I have been together since I was 12.

I have an idea about one boy. So impressive. Your experience is expertise; you definitely have the right to be giving Maple advice right now. My conscience is rolling it's eyes at me. That's weird.

Maple and I finish our catch up session, so she takes me to the park to play. First, we throw a frisbee. Then, we play cards on the grass with one of her guy friends. Now, we're playing hide-and-seek.

Currently, Maple is counting down from 30. I decided to use my tree climbing skills to my advantage. That's right, I'm sitting at the top of a tree, listening to her counting. "6...5...4...3...2...1, ready or not here I come."

I grip onto the trunk of the tree, which my branch is connected to. I'm probably a good 50 feet in the air. Yes, I climb trees fast. Being one with nature helps.

She looks all around the playground sets, walks through the jungle gym and does a thorough searching behind the trees. Nice hiding spot, me. I mentally high-five myself.

I decide to make things kind of fun, so I grab an acorn from the tree and throw it at the ground about 15 yards away from where I am, near a bush. As if on cue, Maple runs over to the bush and searches it for me. She sighs in defeat.

"Where are you?"

I stifle laughter. Call me immature; I honestly don't care, because truth be told, I am immature.

I put my hand over my mouth and do one of the many bird calls I've learned. Immediately, I grip the tree and hide behind the trunk, opposite to where Maple is standing. She looks up, but doesn't see me.

This is so fun. It's like being 12 again. This is what I used to do to Rain and the guys.