Satellite Heart

Chapter 2 | Journey To The Past

Juliette'sPOV

The street is silent, the neighbourhood still lost in yesterday's dreams.The crisp air - almost unbearably so - is forcing its way into my lungs. The day is young, the birds are still chirping away,announcing the start of a new dawn. The sound of our steps as well asArchie's paws on the partially uncovered asphalt is soon interrupted by my sister's reaction to my recounting the phone call.

"He said what?!" Emma's voice echoes in the mostly empty street, as we walk towards the main road. "You're kidding, right? What didI tell you? You can't let people walk over you Juliette, you're always way too kind." She exclaims, clearly irritated. We pace side by side, taking careful strides on the icy road.

Was Em always so protective of me? The answer would be a definite no. For as long as I can remember, our big brother, Rob, and I had always been by her side, ready to catch her if she fell. Sure, we have had disagreements over petty matters like all children too. We would compete about who had the best grades at school, and it was always a fight figuring out who would get to choose the music during our car rides. However, as far as I can remember, we never argued about anything major. She is definitely more tenacious and uncompromising than I ever would be. I, on the other hand, was always more bubbly,thinking about the limitless ways the universe could manifest itself.I was and still am a true believer that things happen for a reason.It helps me feel at peace with things that are out of my control.

I still smile thinking about all of these cherished moments together:our childhood in our quaint white brick house in England, spending countless of hours in our huge garden, until sundown. An abundance of memories start flashing in my head, almost like I somehow pressed fast forward on a remote : Rob telling us about the "ghost"in the attic, the old broken barn at the end of our road, waking up to Mum's fresh bread and Dad's crossword puzzle on Sunday mornings...It was the very definition of the good old days.

I must have sighed at the thought of all this, because Em lightly grabs my elbow, trying to catch my attention.

"Earth to Juliette? Hello?"

If I didn't know this road by heart, you bet that I would have already slipped. My morning walk had somehow turned down Memory Lane, but thankfully I wasn't alone on the path.

"I'm sorry..." I pause before I continue, my tone more assured "I didn't hear what you said." If I could see her, I would say she is probably rolling her eyes right about now. I feel the handle on the harness attached to Archie's body slightly tightening, resulting in me slowing down. He usually does this when he needs to take the time to evaluate the road ahead for me, making sure I am safe.

"I said: I think we should give them another call when we get back home.I, for one, am curious to hear how they'll justify the fact that they forgot to tell you the call was cancelled."

"Emma,please. Let's not cause an unnecessary scene, things like that happen all the time." Hoping that she will understand that I do not need to press the issue further.

Surprisingly, she gets it and decides to dive into another conversation I'd rather avoid.

"Have you spoken to mum recently? I wrote to her the other day and she mentioned that she hadn't heard from you in a while."

Well if you already know that we haven't talked, why are you even asking? Let's stay civil, it's only your sister asking and she wants what's best for you.

"I haven't replied to her latest email. Maybe I should give her a call..." I say, nodding my head as if I were agreeing with myself and this decision. "Besides, I can only imagine she has been busy, what with looking after Gran and Grandpa, and visiting Rob of course."