A Sister's Love

“Jack,” Priscilla whispered swaying just a bit. “I need you to keep something for me. One is for you and the other is for Flo, my sister.” Priscilla barged in, brushing past Jack without a thought that he may have had guests for the evening. Jack released a low groan. Priscilla was drunk again. She staggered into the living room and fell haphazardly on the sofa. Shaking his head, he closed the door and went into the kitchen to start a very strong pot of coffee. It was going to be a long evening. “Where are the twins?” Jack asked, keeping his frustration with Priscilla in check. Was it too much to ask for a quiet evening or an uninterrupted weekend with no e-mails, faxes, phones and certainly no clients? The past week had been filled with all the drama he could handle from stubborn and non-negotiable clients. Priscilla stumbled to the kitchen bar and propped her elbow on Jack’s broad shoulder. “Oh, they’re over at Abby’s”, she rolled her eyes and wiggled her fingers in the air. “Have you had a hard day, Jack? You really should learn to leave work at work and have some fun. You’re still young and as handsome as ever,” she patted his chest with emphasis. “You should be out having a good time or enjoying the evening with your wife. Why aren’t you married anyway?” Priscilla raised her eye brow at him. Her words stretched out and she waived her hands in the air dramatically. She had a tendency to do that when she had been drinking. Jack avoided her gaze while he listened to her ramble on. He wasn’t going to justify her noisy questions with an answer. That topic was off limits for discussion and if he answered her, she would be here all night talking a whole lot, about a whole lot of nothing. Priscilla pursed her lips and made a funny sound. “I wouldn’t know what to do if wasn’t for Abby. She’s such a wonderful friend. She keeps them for me without any complaint and she won’t take any money from me. But I slip it in a drawer here, between the sofa cushions there. But don’t you tell her.” She held a finger up to her lips. “Shhh, it’s a secret.” Her words were beginning to slur and she was swaying again. “Priscilla, why do you insist on drinking like you do?” "I don’t know Jack! Why is the sky blue and blood red? Why doesn’t Flo want me in her life?” Priscilla suddenly became serious. “She doesn’t want me in her life. No one can get close to her anymore. I made sure of that long ago.” “Just look at you and Abby! Sometimes, I’m so envious. You get along so well, relaying and helping each other without being asked. The only thing Flo relays on other than God is the Weather Channel, the price of grain and the Farmer’s Almanac.” Jack filled two cups of coffee and placed one in front of Priscilla. “Drink this. It’s getting late and I’d prefer that you were sober when I take you home. When are you going to realize that this behavior is juvenile? You have two beautiful children to take care of and they need you.” “Oh Jack, my love, that’s where you’re wrong.” She patted him on the chest as tears pooled in her eyes with a wounded look on her face. “They don’t need me. They’ll survive; they already have once before.” Jack stiffened hearing disappointment and something else he couldn’t identify in her voice. He doubted at the moment she knew what she was saying. “Drink your coffee.” Jack managed to say calmly. He was taken back by the vulnerable look on her face. Priscilla didn’t openly show her emotions and the fact that she was doing so confused him more about her. After the third cup of coffee, Priscilla sobered up and her voice became soft and sincere. “Promise me Jack; promise me you’ll do what I’m asking. You’re one of my few loyal and trusted friends. I love my family but…I’m more than they can handle; I always have been. I can’t change the past but I can make an attempt to change the future.” Deciding to take her leave and let Jack think about what she had asked, she stood up and lost her footing. Tumbling, Jack reached out just in time to catch her by the waist to steady her. “Priscilla, you’ve got to stop this drinking! If you don’t I’ll have you admitted and locked up so you can dry out. Do you hear me? Your drinking has to stop!” The idea had crossed his mind the last time he had saw her drunk and seeing her in this state again had given him the courage to voice it. He only hoped that she would listen to reason. If she forced his hand, he was prepared to follow through with his promise. “I’ll stop drinking if you promise to do what I ask.” She held her chin up in a defiant manner staring into his eyes. “And what do you ask of me Priscilla? What is it this time?” Jack was beginning to tire of her games. “It’s all here in this letter. You promise to do what I’ve asked and I’ll never drink again.” She pulled two envelopes out of her purse and laid them on the kitchen bar in front of him. Not waiting for his answer, she turned on her heels and started for the door. “Where are you going?” Jack watched her retreat to the door. “Home, where else?” “Don’t you want to know my answer?” “I already know your answer.” She smiled back with a cocky grin. “And what is my answer, Priscilla?” “Oh Jack, I know you better than you know your own self.” Not saying another word, Priscilla walked out the door. Since that night, not once did Priscilla mention the letters or drink again.