Page 33 of Something Old

A little fire of hope has been sparked inside me all over again and I feel excited about the possibilities of everything.

I smile as I watch the sun beginning to set.

Soon the air will get a little cooler and I’ll go inside. But right now, I’m so relaxed, and feeling happier than I have all week, so I’m just going to enjoy this moment.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Masaccio

“Alright - tell me what your problem is?” Dalila insists as soon as we are out of earshot from Leora.

“Huh? What are you talking about? I don’t have a problem.” I shrug, feeling defensive.

“Well, then what’s going on with you? Why are you being such an asshole to Leora? She’s your wife but you don’t even want to hug her—” He says.

I sigh and roll my eyes.

“Dalila, firstly, it’s none of your business - secondly she isn’t a real wife.”

“What the hell. How can you say that?”

Dalila looks upset. She glares at me with her hand on her hip.

“You know what I mean. This whole thing - it’s fake. It’s just for show. The sooner Leora realizes that the better it will be for both of us.”

“Mas - it doesn’t have to be fake. Just because it wasn’t what you wanted, not something you chose, doesn’t mean it has to suck.If you just got to know her - maybe spend a little time with her. She’s a really sweet—”

“No.”

I want her to leave now. I don’t want to discuss this.

I turn to walk towards the front door, but Dalila grabs my arm, pulling me back to face her.

“No. You can’t just walk away like that. Talk to me. What is it you don’t like about her?”

Her question is really straight forward - to the point - and it catches me completely off guard.

What is it I don’t like about Leora?

My mind is racing to find an answer to give to my sister. One that makes sense. Anything. I can’t come up with anything at all.

“Well? What’s wrong with her, Mas? Why don’t you want to spend time with her?” Dalila can tell she’s put me in an awkward position. She can tell I have no real reason to dislike her.

“It’s not that simple.” I say after an awkward silence.

She punches my shoulder, scrunching her nose. “Itis that simple dumbass.” She huffs. “It’s as simple as at least giving her a chance. You can’t just ignore your wife for the rest of your life you know.” She rolls her eyes.

“Ok. Ok, you’ve had your say - you can go now.”

She reaches out and touches my arm. Her eyes are softer now. Caring. “Please Mas, promise me you’ll at least give this a proper chance?”

“Fine. I promise.”

Dalila wraps her arms around my waist and hugs me tight. I can smell sunscreen and strawberries on her. She smells like summer.

Guilt washes through me because in so many ways I know my sister is right.

I haven’t even stopped to ask myself that question - to ask myself what I don’t like about Leora.

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