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Sisters, by Phyllis Souza

26/3/2021

 
Teenage sisters Genie and Mary battled over everything— clothes, food, and Howard. Mary coveted what Genie had, and Howard was no exception.

One rainy night, the sisters wanted to do something different. They took out the Ouija Board. Sitting on the living room floor, they put their fingertips on the heart-shaped planchette,

"Spirit... come." Genie summoned.

Thunder rumbled. The house shook. Lightning lit their faces.

Mary shuddered. "It's here."

The plank moved and pointed at Mary. "Does Howard love me?" She asked and pushed toward YES.

Genie pulled, NO.

The planchette circled the board.

"You're moving it," Mary accused.

"Am not," Genie denied.

The wind howled. Rain pelted against the window.

"I’ll get a candle,” Genie said.

Moments later, Genie returned, shielding its flame with her hand.

"Put your fingers back on the plank," Genie told Mary.

"Does Howard love me?" Again, she asked

"You're stupid! Howard's my boyfriend. He doesn't love you."

"He might."

"Well, he doesn't."

"Liar."

Mary leaped to her feet and kicked the Ouija Board. "Howard does love me. I know he does."

Genie got up and pushed Mary. Mary shoved back. She rushed to the front door. Opened it. A gust of wind blew in.

“It's raining." Genie flew across the room. She slammed the door.

"MY FINGER!!" Mary screamed. "You cut off my finger."

Blood spurted.

"What am I going to do?" Genie clasped the top of her head. "Mom! I'll call Mom."

"Get a towel." She screamed.

Genie dashed out of the room. She returned. Looked the other way and handed
it to Mary.

Sobbing, Mary wrapped her hand.

Genie phoned their mother, Zora, at work.

"Mom, Mary's finger got caught in the door." Genie gasped. "I think it's cut off."

"I'll be right home. See if you can find it." Zora hung up. "Oh, my God."

Genie, eyes flooded with tears, crawled on the floor searching for the top of Mary’s finger. "I... can't find it."

Blood seeped through the cloth.

Their mother pulled onto the driveway, darted into the house, and put her arms around Mary. She glanced at Genie, "Get Mary's coat."

Zora rushed Mary to the emergency room.

Genie stayed home. When she found the fingertip on the carpet next to the door, she vomited.

***

The next day, the sun came out. Its rays shone through the living room window.

When Genie saw Mary, stretched out on the couch with her finger wrapped in gauze and adhesive tape, she had an idea.

Two hours later, someone knocked on the door. Genie opened it and smiled at a delivery person standing on the porch.

"Mary, you got some carnations. You're favorite, pink. There's a note." Genie called.

The note read: 'I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you.'
​
Krystyna
26/3/2021 02:47:33 pm

Ah, yes, the common sibling battlefield. Been there, without the fingertip episode. Interesting character portrayal, Phyllis. Good story.

phyllis souza
26/3/2021 03:56:54 pm

Krystyna, Glad you liked the story. Sisters, I didn't have one. Wished I did. Thanks for reading.

Mary Wallace
28/3/2021 06:02:17 am

I was hoping the note on the flowers read "from Howard."😆

phyllis souza
28/3/2021 05:33:59 pm

That's funny, First draft, it did. Thought it was too cruel, so I changed it. phyllis😂

Sue Clayton
28/3/2021 08:00:03 am

I was with Mary. I also have two sisters, both so much younger than me. My youngest sister is the same age as my daughter, so no sibling rivalry there.

phyllis souza
28/3/2021 05:35:56 pm

Thanks Sue...

Susan F. Reid
28/3/2021 07:52:46 pm

Suspense was so good, I quickly read through to find out what happened. Sweet ending. I'd like to read a sequel about the battle over Howard.

phyllis souza
28/3/2021 08:33:29 pm

You liked the ending... good. I went back and forth on it. Note from Genie: Should Genie sign it Howard? Letting Mary think Howard does love her? what do you think?


Comments are closed.

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