It's Called Being Sassy

Glory of Love

Marcy sneaks into Mercedes' bedroom and climbs in her bed. She gets under the cover and hugs her sister before singing to her gently.

Mercedes stirs.

"Wake up, pretty girl."

Mercedes peels her eyes open. "Marcy?"

"Morning, morning breath."

Mercedes blanches and pops up. "I need to brush my teeth!"

"You need to relax. You don't have to get up for another hour."

Mercedes lays back down. "Why'd you wake me up so early?"

"I just want to thank you."

"For what?"

"Being my sister. You guys never gave up on me."

"We weren't there for you." Mercedes' eyes fill.

"That's what therapy's for. But you never gave up on me. Especially you and Mal. You tried your best to find me. I'm not sure if you know what that means but it's everything."

Mercedes looks into her sister's serious fern eyes and melts. "You have always been in my corner. I never had to worry about if you loved me. I knew."

"I do." Marcy pushes Mercedes' hair back before booping her nose gently. "I love all of you so much."

Mercedes cries on a laugh. "I can't believe you're saying this."

"The power of love."

"I'm going to kiss Mal all over his fat face for loving you."

"Rotten self will probably have a heart-attack. Do it."

Mercedes giggles. "You're still you."

"I'm not sure. I have to find out who I am. Victim is not the title I want to carry for the rest of my life."

"You're so strong. I envy that. You were so right about all of us. You saw it while you were having your own problems. And you helped us all even when you were goin through."

Marcy wipes her sister's tears. "Stop crying, bomboloni."

That makes Mercedes cry harder. "Momma's doughnuts."

"You're going to make my baby sad."

"Are the twins in here?" Mercedes hasn't heard them.

"No." Marcy stares at her steadily.

Mercedes is a very bright girl. "You're pregnant?"

Marcy nods with a slight smile. "Seven weeks."

"You've been home seven weeks."

"Mal's always been quick."

Mercedes bursts into quiet tears. "Oh my goodness! I can't believe it! When'd you find out?"

Marcy bites her bottom lip briefly. "Five weeks ago."

"What?" Mercedes' dumbfounded.

Marcy just smiles.

"But you've done drugs and drank since then?"

"I've only smoked weed and taken vitamins. I drank once. I was at the end of my rope and was going to kill myself but I didn't."

Mercedes worries.

"Calm down. I'm fine now. I finally found something worth living for."

Mercedes looks really unsure.

"My family." Marcy squeezes her.

Mercedes finally smiles. "We're your reason to live?"

"Yes."