Page 11 of Raw & Vulnerable

Clearly, Ariel doesn’t want to become the sole focus of their mother’s need for grandchildren.

“I can perfectly well afford to eat at a nicer place, I’ll have you know.” She doesn’t want to go to that pub. Absolutelynot. The anxiety builds and Minnie paces the floor, absently checking all of her plants over again, then glances at the window locks. They look locked. They do. But,are they? And, tight enough?

Did she lock the front door after Ariel came in? She did, didn’t she? Minnie recalls doing it, but what if she’s remembering wrong? A zing of panic races through her and she pivots to look at the front of the townhome.

Ariel watches her with a furrowed brow. “Stop. Stop that right now. You’re doing it again.”

Embarrassed, Minnie stops the nervous habit, taking in a few calming breaths. Her mind rights itself, the wild edges settling, like particles in water. “Sorry. You know I can’t help it.”

Her sister checks all the windows for her, rattling them. “Look. They’re all locked! I don’t think you open any of them.Ever. Everything is fine, Mouse. No one is going to hurt you. No one is going to break in. We are just going out to eat. No need to get in a tizzy. Dad worries about you for a reason.”

“I know…it’s stupid.” It’s an unreasonable fear, she understands, but she justcan’tstop it from happening whenever she even thinks of going to loud, busy places. Or…parties. Or anywhere brash and action packed.

Sometimes, the feeling of needing to flee is so strong that she can barely breathe.

Ariel gives her a hug, rubbing her back. “It’s…not stupid. It’s notfair, is what it is. It’s just a pub. No one is going to bother us. I mean, we may get hit on-”

Minnie covers her face and groans.

“Oh, stop! I know it makes you uncomfortable going to places out of the norm, but I want you to overcome your anxiety.”

Overcome? It never quite works that way. It’s like being asked to overcome an open, bleeding hole in her chest.

Letting out a shaky breath, Minnie says, “I know. It’s just hard. I feel like having a heart attack in places that disorderly. I always feel like someone is two seconds from shoving a gun in my face. From grabbing me and throwing me in their car.”

Ariel cringes visibly, probably thanking her lucky stars she was in the store with their dad that awful morning years ago. “Take a xanny before we go. That should take the edge off.”

Minnie scoffs at the recklessness of that. Her older sister mode comes forth, replacing most of her nerves. She’s responsible, is what she is. “And then drink at a bar? Have you gone off your nut?”

Pursing her lips, Ariel looks up at the ceiling, as if looking for the answer on how to fix her bonkers older sibling. “Yeah, you’re right. I don’t want to carry you home. I’m going to make you load up on boozebeforewe go. Liquid courage, it will be safe, I swear.”

“I refuse to do such a juvenile thing!”

“Hush, old maid.”

“You hush!”

Regardless of what Minnie says or does, Ariel ends up forcing her to take a few awful shots at her kitchen table, one after the other.

Minnie wrinkles her nose, sticking her tongue out after the last one. “I feel weird.”

“Fabulous, Mouse. That’s the spirit!”

“I am not a fan of this. What if I get too toasted to get my contacts out?” Minnie feels her anxious voice peeking through. She feels bare without her glasses to hide behind. “I should just wear my glasses tonight.”

“Stuff that noise back up your tight little butt, Mouse. I’m not letting you look like our grandma in a pub.”

“I never look like grandma! Take that back, Ariel.”

Ariel slaps her ass, giggling when Minnie tries to make a grab for her.

With a brief scuffle, Ariel dabs some clear, color enhancing lip gloss onto Minnie’s lips. After making sure the mascara and small wings are on point, Ariel claps her hands together excitedly. “Oh, my God.You are so cute! Mom should have named you Bambi.” Ariel screeches, pinching Minnie’s cheeks in a manner that has Minnie swatting at her. “You ready?”

Minnie gives her a blank look, her face slightly numb.No.

They walk out the front door and when Minnie tries to lock it for the second time, Ariel pulls her away. “Door is ajar, door is ajar,” Ariel drones like a robot in Minnie’s ear as they go to Ariel’s car.

Minnie covers her ears, muttering, “Door is shut, door is locked…” while Ariel laughs, driving them into town.

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