Page 65 of Smoke and Moon

“I’ll pass your thanks to Aodh.”

“You ready to go for that walk?I need the fresh air.”Morlie stared back to the door.

“Wait.Before you go, I wanted to give you something.”Kai squeezed her hand around the ring.

Morlie tipped her head to the side and eyed her curiously.“What is it?”

“This.”She held her hand out to her before unfurling her fingers.In the middle of her palm sat the tie and ring.

Her sister stared into her open hand.“Kai...is that—?”

“Mom’s wedding ring.Things have been so crazy for us since they passed.Maybe having a piece of them with us will give us some goodness.”

“I miss them so much.”Morlie sniffed as she picked up the band gingerly and held it cautiously as if she feared it would go away any second, as their parents had.

“So do I.”Kai felt her eyes water up as well.It felt like they were in a paradox, both feeling their parents there and losing them all over again.“I know they’d be proud to see the beautiful, smart, and determined young lady you have become.”

“Because of you, sissy.”Morlie’s watery gaze met hers.

“Because of you,” Kai declared.“Let me put it on you.”

Morlie handed it back and then turned her back to her.

She stepped up behind her sister.“I’m sorry I don’t have something better to hang it on.”

“No worries.Chains break, but ties bind.”Morlie reached up and covered Kai’s hand at the back of her neck.

“Always.”Kai squeezed her sister’s hand and double-knotted the ends to keep them from falling apart.“There.”

When Morlie turned around, she held the ring at the end of the string right above her heart.“Perfect.Thank you for giving it to me.”

Kai moved forward and embraced her sister.She felt Morlie flinch and pull back a bit before her sister leaned in, wrapping her arms around her to return the hug.

She pushed away the concern at Morlie’s initial reaction, just figuring she’d startled her sister with her fast embrace.

“Let’s get out of this suite.”Kai released her sister.

“Yes.”Morlie walked to the door.“I’m ready for the walk.I need the fresh air.”

Kai laughed at her sister’s dramatics.But for such a long time, Morlie had been cooped up, and her sister probably felt more than a little stir-crazy.

When Morlie eagerly dragged the door open, Kai shook her head.“Show me the trick with the door.”

Morlie looked from the door to her.“Just try centering yourself to the door before you pull it.Don’t fight against it like it has already defeated you.”

“Okay.Close it back.Let me try.”Kai stopped at the door.

Morlie stood on the hall side of it.She took hold of the handle with one hand and drew it shut.

On the other side, Kai angled her body to the door and then took a breath before she reached out to the handle with one hand.She tugged like she would do an average door.She tugged again.It budged a little but didn’t open more than a crack.Finally, frustrated, Kai grabbed the handle with both hands and yanked at it.When it opened, she stared at Morlie, who lounged against the landing wall.

“I guess I’ll have to keep working on it.”Kai started down the stairs with her sister.

“Maybe I’ve developed some superhuman strength.”Morlie raised one arm and flexed her small bicep.

“Well, good for you.Maybe I’ll find some, too.”

The sisters laughed as they stepped into the lavender sunlight.

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