"Did you really tell that hunk you hoped to see him soon? I can't believe you actually said that!" Tess rambled. "I mean, I knew you had it in you but wow!" I glared at her, daggers shooting out of my eyes. She put her hands up in playful submission, "I'm just saying it was impressive."
As she drained the pasta, I stood alongside of her contemplating the urge to question her what happened at the store. I doubted she would tell me but I figured I would try anyway.
"Why were you so quiet when Erik introduced himself to us?" I asked while warming up the pasta sauce on the stove. “You usually talk more than me.”
She just kept draining the pasta that was already dry. Reluctant to answer, she stood still with her eyes fixated on the colander. Shaking her head, she finally let out a big breath.
"I don't know. It was really weird. The moment my eyes met his it was like I could see myself in his eyes." I just looked at her, a little puzzled by what she was talking about. "Like I literally saw myself standing next to him in his eyes."
Okay, first off, that was insane. Secondly, maybe she was just seeing her reflection in his eyes. I mean, that was possible, right?
"I never should have said anything," She growled, turning her back to me, and slamming the colander into the empty pot.
"Tess, you didn't even give me a chance to say anything. But since we are on the topic of weird things, did you feel static electricity when Sebastian touched you?"
Now I had her full attention and it was her turn to look at me like I was crazy.
"No. Why, did you?"
I started explaining to her what happened at Murphy's and then again today. She just looked at me in awe. I knew I sounded crazy but I couldn't help what I kept feeling.
**
We laughed and told each other stories over dinner and just enjoyed each other's company. We hadn't done this in such a long time, but it was so nice to be able to connect as sisters again.
By the end of the night, we had eaten way more than we had anticipated and had guzzled through two bottles of wine. We cleaned up our dishes and went to sit outside on the back porch, curling up in our blankets and lighting up the fire pit.
"V, can I ask you a question?" Tessa asked randomly.
My stomach turned. I knew exactly what she was going to ask. Would I unleash this burden that had held me captive, or lie to protect her fragile mind from what she couldn't possibly understand?
"What really happened in Arizona? There are scars on your hands and one on your back."
I shuddered at the words that escaped from her mouth. Visions of claws ripping at my skin clouded my vision, each slash more prominent than the next. Leaning back in my chair, I closed my eyes for a long minute, waiting for the flashes to end, and my muscles to finally relax.
"Do you remember that time when I was working at one salon while waiting for my own to be built?" I gave her a questioning look.
Her soft eyes told me she didn't but she nodded her head yes anyway.
"When my car died, I relied heavily on Allen to drive me to work and back home. If he worked late, I would walk back home, since it only took twenty minutes," I continued while twirling my hair between my fingers.
"One night when I was walking home, I thought I heard footsteps behind me. I kept turning around but no one was there. When I heard them getting closer, I freaked out and ran. Before I knew it, I was pinned to the ground,” I swallowed hard. “By a wolf."
All I heard was Tessa gasp for air. For that split second, a flash of its fangs hovering over my body as its foul drool slipped down my face burned deeper into my memory. I didn't want to tell her everything, but it was either now or never.
"I tried my hardest to get it off me but all it did was dig its long sharp nails into my skin and reach for my throat. I was screaming as loud as my lungs allowed,but no one heard me. It was truly the dead of night, not a soul was around.”
I started rubbing my eyes, tears glistening on my face when Tessa put her hand on my arm.
"It's okay V, keep going," she urged.
"I felt like it was going on forever, until someone finally came and hit it with something. Its sharp claws finally let go of me and I was able to get up, but I was losing so much blood. The guy waited until it was almost in the woods before he shot at it. The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital, 4 days later."
I stopped to breathe for a minute before I continued. Pointing to my hands I showed her my scars.
"This is where it was trying to scratch and bite my hands off it when I was pulling at its fur and digging at its eyes."
I lifted my shirt up and showed her the long scars on my stomach. "This is where it slapped its paws at me, gashing my stomach open."
I turned around, pulling my shirt up and pointed to the scar on my back. "This one is where it tried to bite me and sliced my skin open with its tooth.”
The heaviness that weighed on my shoulders had lifted slightly, allowing me to actually breathe. I was forever changed by the trauma I endured, but I didn't want Tessa to see that. She was still naive, so happy go lucky.
"I'm so sorry this happened to you, that I wasn't there to protect you." She cried softly, as she launched herself into my arms.
"It's not your fault Tessa. It was a wild animal. It was just bad luck and timing on my part." The words were hardly reassuring, but I continued hugging her tight as a tear fell from my eye.
Feeling her body relax, I carefully unlatched my arms around her and sank back into my chair. As she wiped the tears that lingered on her cheek, she smiled softly, but it wasn’t that genuine. Something was holding her back, and I knew exactly what it was. “Why didn't you tell anyone? Why didn't you tell me?” She asked, her lips quivering like she wanted to cry again.
Turning my gaze to my hands, I exhaled loudly as I traced my scars once more. “Honestly Tess, I just wanted to pretend it never happened, act like it was all a nightmare. And what kind of big sister would I be if I unleashed my burden on you and Mitch? I'm suppose to protect you. Take away your fears, not create them,” I protested. Holding back the tears I reached over to Tessa and rubbed her hand gently. “It's my job to protect you.”
“Just promise that you'll tell me next time. I can handle the burden. That's what siblings are for, to split the pain, share the tears, and heal together.” The sincerity of Tessa's words made my eyes glossy, as more salty liquid slid down my face. If I had just told her, maybe I wouldn't feel the way I did: Scared, ashamed, and broken. Maybe I would have healed.
“I can handle it, V. You taught me how to be strong.” She squeezed my hand as an act of reassurance.
I was doubtful, but nodded my head in agreement anyway. “Okay,” I smiled.
“Wait," Tessa asked. "Who was that guy?"
Thinking back, I honestly had no idea. He didn't stick around long enough for anyone to find out.
Shrugging my shoulders, I gave her a small smile. “I'm not sure, but I owe him my life.”
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