Yesterday, 03:59 PM
Elyse let Mara spend time with Rachel without interference. They were sisters. Elyse had been told some stories of their childhood. It was interesting to her as an only child to hear about the dynamics of siblings. Emily, the oldest, had carried with her the importance of the first born - one set to inherit and take over - a job she had been forced to take to early. Mara - the youngest - had been given freedom to explore as much as she wanted. Rachel - the middle child - had struggled to find a place after her sister had been born. She wasn’t mistreated, but both Emily and Mara had told her she had often felt left out or out of place. It brought some tension, even though Rachel’s sisters had always worked to include her. Elyse learned that this was common among middle children.
That tension wasn’t visible now, but Mara was struggling to hold it together. Watching her, Elyse saw the bravery of the youngest Shale girl. Elyse joined when Mara told Rachel she should rest more. It really was what was best for Rachel. She took the time to ask Emily if sleeping meds were okay. They kept track of how much she took to keep her from trading one addiction to another.
After Rachel took the pill and closed her eyes, Elyse went back to her corner as Mara sat next to her until Rachel’s breathing indicated she had fallen asleep again. Mara stood, looking at her sister. Elyse could smell her mood changing. She had held in the emotions while Rachel had been awake. And was up and wrapping the young woman in a hug before she started to sob. Mara clinged to her.
”It will be okay,” Elyse said, stroking her back. ”It was brave if you to face your fears for her. I think she was really happy to see you.”
Elyse could feel Mara nod into her shoulder. She understood. Elyse held on to her until she calmed down and let go, wiping her eyes. ”You good?” Elyse asked.
Mara nodded, and there was truth to her nod. She was better. ”Its hard to- but it gets easier. Keep trying - she really does like seeing us.”
She nodded again. ”Thanks,” she said giving another hug. ”I…want to stay in a little longer. Elyse gave her a smile, and both of them went to sit on the bed next to Rachel.
That tension wasn’t visible now, but Mara was struggling to hold it together. Watching her, Elyse saw the bravery of the youngest Shale girl. Elyse joined when Mara told Rachel she should rest more. It really was what was best for Rachel. She took the time to ask Emily if sleeping meds were okay. They kept track of how much she took to keep her from trading one addiction to another.
After Rachel took the pill and closed her eyes, Elyse went back to her corner as Mara sat next to her until Rachel’s breathing indicated she had fallen asleep again. Mara stood, looking at her sister. Elyse could smell her mood changing. She had held in the emotions while Rachel had been awake. And was up and wrapping the young woman in a hug before she started to sob. Mara clinged to her.
”It will be okay,” Elyse said, stroking her back. ”It was brave if you to face your fears for her. I think she was really happy to see you.”
Elyse could feel Mara nod into her shoulder. She understood. Elyse held on to her until she calmed down and let go, wiping her eyes. ”You good?” Elyse asked.
Mara nodded, and there was truth to her nod. She was better. ”Its hard to- but it gets easier. Keep trying - she really does like seeing us.”
She nodded again. ”Thanks,” she said giving another hug. ”I…want to stay in a little longer. Elyse gave her a smile, and both of them went to sit on the bed next to Rachel.