Mom’s Bias: She Chose My Sister Over Me

The Call

They got home, and Leila threw herself onto the couch. "I'm hungry," she said. Harold ran into the kitchen, eager to show Leila the new cooking he had just learned.

Harold never did any housework, yet for Leila, he went through pages and pages of healthy recipes.

He didn't want his precious sister to even feel a bit uncomfortable. My father whipped out the latest console and said it was her present, to celebrate her escaping the jaws of death.

My mother cleaned every inch of Leila's room and sprinkled all sorts of plants around the place. "Fresh air helps with recovery."

All Leila did was play her console on the couch, and the whole family was already serving her like she was a princess.

They had another guest in the room—my soul. This was my home, or it was supposed to be. For years, it was nothing but an ice-cold prison for me.

Someone rang the doorbell, and I saw a familiar figure outside. My boyfriend, Zacharias Francestine. The first thing he did after coming in was show concern for Leila.

"Mr. and Mrs. Greenhorn, I heard she got out of the hospital today, so I thought I should get her something that would help with recovery."

Leila tossed her console away and put on a coy mask. "You didn't have to, Zack. I'm all better now."

Zacharias smiled at her gently. He was always cool and composed around me, yet he seemed to adore my sister. For some reason, he felt like a stranger to me now.

Suddenly, he asked, "Where's Sheila?"

My family would've forgotten about me if Zacharias hadn't brought me up. My mother's face fell.

"Why'd you bring her up? All I did was lecture her a little, and she's refusing to come back home. Fine. If she loves the world out there, she can stay outside! The family will be better without her. She's nothing but trouble!"

Zacharias nodded. "Yes. If she comes back, she's going to hurt Leila's recovery."

Harold served his sister the healthy meal he had whipped up. "So, when are you breaking up with her? If you're not taking your chances with Leila, someone else will."

Zacharias went red. "I was going to have the talk with Sheila."

A wave of sadness charged up my throat. I laughed at myself and turned around, refusing to look at them.

Well, I was used to the role of the girl who was never loved.

For some reason, my mother got a little restless after dinner. She went into her bedroom and scrolled through her phone for something.

I checked it out. She was looking for my number. She then called me, but no one picked up. Again, she tried. No answer. Then again. Nothing. Again. Nothing. Again. Nothing.

My mother slammed her phone. "You're ignoring me? Do you really think I care about you?"

I wanted to tell her that the dead couldn't take any calls.

My mother called the nurse who helped me. "Did Sheila tell you what she's up to? Tell her to get back home and apologize to her sister! She'd better not defy me, or she's never coming home!"

The nurse fell into a moment of silence, then she answered, "Ma'am, Sheila died a week ago. The car crash ruptured her heart, and she desperately needed surgery, but all the doctors were checking on Leila. Your orders."