Peace, My Sister -- Fiction

Incense wafted through the church, the voices of Christmas Eve worshippers offered up, “Joy to the World”.

Emily glanced across the church at her twin sister, Gina. It had been over 60 years since they had last spoken to each other.

Story was that, as teenagers, the girls had fought over the love of a young man. John managed to court both girls at once in an era of watchful fathers and strict social customs, his feat was legendary.

Each girl harboured dreams of marriage to this dashing young man, son of a rich property owner. When the girls started sharing confidences about the man they expected to marry, his duplicity came to light.

He skipped town, leaving behind two girls feuding over which one he had really loved. The inseparable bond they had shared since birth was bent to the breaking point.

The death of their parents not long after, and a dispute over real estate split the bond completely.

Emily’s thoughts wandered from the service to two visitors she’d been receiving recently for tea. Her neighbours, the Saddler twins, Amy and Jessie. The girls loved her fresh-baked cookies; Emily found their visits a delightful break in her otherwise sedate life.

Mostly, Emily listened as the two preteen girls chattered, swapping stories about the children at school, their flights of fancy and dreams for the future.

One day, Amy asked if Emily had any family.

“Yes,” replied Emily “I have a sister, a twin sister.”

“Wow!” Jessie exclaimed, “They had twins, way back then!”

Emily smiled “Yes, once the dinosaurs died, we needed something for excitement.”

“Jessie, you dope. What a silly question. Of course they had twins. Remember Jacob and Esau?”

Her sister reddened; Amy continued, “Where does your sister live, Miss Walker?”

“At the other end of town, on Maybee Lane. Well, ladies, it seems it is time to send you two back to your parents. Will you come again?” She smiled at the girls.

She was eager to avoid any further questions. She didn’t relish explaining to girls who reminded her so much of herself and Gina. Their questions reminded her they hadn’t spoke to each other for so long.

Emily glanced across the church at Gina, catching the movement of her sister looking quickly away. She felt the ache of hurt and loneliness stir within.

The ache came strongly every year at this time. This year it seemed terribly intense, probably the influence of the girls and her advancing age.

“This is ridiculous,” she thought “all these years. Neither willing to acknowledge the other, living our separate but parallel lives. For what? The love of a man that neither had? How long do I wait for her to admit how wrong she was?”

“Who will be first to offer peace?”

She looked around, uncertain if the voice was hers, or another’s. She stirred restlessly, raising some curious glances from those seated nearby.

As the congregation rose to leave, she found herself drawn to walk beside her sister. Neither glanced at the other. As they neared the door, she found her voice.

“Gina, our anger has gone on too long. Let us not allow another Christmas to go by without making peace.”

Gina paused briefly, a smile crossing her face. “You mean you have finally seen how wrong you were?”

“We were both wrong Gina,” she replied softly. Struggling to control the hurt in her voice.

“No! You were, and still are!” Gina stormed away flying past the priest who had stopped shaking hands and had been quietly watching and listening. She smiled reassuringly.

“That took a lot of courage.” She told Emily.

Emily nodded, struggling to hide her hurt and disappointment.

“Please remember, it takes courage to accept what has been offered. Peace and God bless.” They shook hands and Emily went into the cold and still night.

A fresh, soft layer of snow was falling gently as she walked quietly through the night. She wasn’t feeling the peace of the season; the peace she had longed for had flown out the church door.

As she opened the blinds the next morning, she smiled at the sight of the twins romping in the snow and sunshine. She thought of other, joyful Christmas mornings so long ago.

Her smile faded; she turned and slowly started toward the kitchen to make her tea. The door chime startled her. Remembering the twins outside, she started to the door.

“Please girls, bless your hearts, but I really don’t have the heart for company.” She thought as she opened the door. She clutched her chest as she felt her heart give a flutter. On the step stood her mirror image, Gina, her face flushed with nervousness.

“It takes courage to accept what has been offered,” Emily could hear the priest’s voice in her head.

“Dear Lord, Gina! Please come in!” Relief flooded Gina’s face as she handed Emily a pie carrier. “How delightful, a pie. What kind?”

There was a long pause. Gina replied softly, “humble.”

“Gina, my sister, Merry Christmas, and may the peace of the season remain with us always. Come, let’s have some tea with our humble pie.”

As Jessie reached to ring the door chime, peels of girlish laughter erupted from within, startling the young twins. They had never heard Miss Walker laugh before.

“Do you think she is okay?”

“Sure, come on, ring the bell so we can wish her a merry Christmas.”

When the door opened, the girls gaped — there was two Miss Walkers — both of them grinning from ear to ear!

“Girls! Girls!” exclaimed Emily, “Come in, I have so much to thank you for. Meet my sister, Gina. Oh, so much to tell, so much to talk about. Come on, tea time.”

The girls looked uncertainly at their normally reserved friend but followed obediently.

“Amy,” Jessie whispered, “Do you think Miss Walker has been nipping the egg nog?”

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