In My Sister's House

by Donald Welch

  With that, Storm opened her arms to her sister. Skylar, tears welling in her eyes, brought both of her hands to her lips as if to pray. She gently closed her eyes as a tear fell down her cheek. Slowly she began walking toward her sister. After a few steps, Storm did the same. The sisters embraced, collapsing in the moment. Holding on to each other for dear life, they sobbed uncontrollably, letting go of every hurt, every pain, all those feelings of abandonment that had been bottled inside for years. Cleansing their souls and spirits, the two sisters became one. Composing themselves, they wiped away each other’s tears.

  “Oh, girl, you look bad!” Storm playfully told her sister as she stood back and gazed at her.

  “I was just thinking the same thing about you,” Skylar replied.

  With that they both started giggling, and they ended up on the floor, still holding on to each other, neither wanting to be the first to let go. Skylar jokingly told her they probably hadn’t had this much fun since they were in the womb.

  “Naw, we was fighting even then. Trying to be the first one to see the light of day,” Storm told her.

  For the next hour or so the two sisters remained seated on the floor in the empty building, forgetting about the time and revisiting childhood memories good and bad. Realizing that they had been on the floor long enough, they helped each other to their feet.

  “So, sis, are you going to answer my question?” Storm straightened her clothes with her hand.

  “About the future? Not quite sure as of yet. Everything is up in the air. Sidney and I are going to take a much-needed vacation first before deciding anything further. And you?” Skylar asked her sister.

  “I’ve decided to invest in real estate. Actually, I put a little money down on a building already,” Storm said proudly.

  “Really?”

  “Yes, I’m opening up a restaurant. Especially since I am serious about culinary school,” Storm told her.

  “Wow, that’s great, Storm. If you’ve really thought about it, I say go for it. But I thought you had given your money to DuBoy with that whole Torch idea thing?”

  “Girl, hell no. I ain’t that damn stupid. When I had a lawyer look into what they were really talking about, not only was it not feasible, it was a bad business deal from jump! Torch never really planned on making DuBoy or anyone else a partner. He just said that to DuBoy to get the money. It didn’t matter anyway. Everything was over once I realized DuBoy was playin’ me. I might have been a little side-swiped for a minute, you know, thrown off-track because of my feelings for him. But chile, that was just because it had been a minute, you feel me?” Storm laughed. “To think that I was becoming friendly with that girl Pia again! Her and DuBoy deserve each other, so that’s that. It might take a while for me to see shit for what it is, but eventually I do see that it is shit. Everyone knows shit stinks, no matter whose it is.”

  “Well, let me say I’m proud of you, and be the first to congratulate you on your new venture.” Skylar smiled and hugged her sister. It felt weird to hug her but it felt right.

  “Sky, would you have a problem if I named it Morrison’s Family Restaurant?”

  “Of course not. That is your last name, so why would I object?” Skylar folded her arms across her chest and looked at Storm.

  “But you know, in order to call it Morrison’s Family Restaurant, I need some family on board. Wouldn’t want to deceive the public, you know what I mean?” Storm turned away with a sly smile on her face.

  “You and me? In business together?” a stunned and shocked Skylar remarked.

  “Yeah, why not?” Storm sounded excited about the idea. “I could learn a helluva lot from you. Just look at what you did with Legends, sis. Imagine the kind of success we could have with both of us at the wheel of Morrison’s. We’d blow up!” Storm became more and more animated with each word. “I’m seeing a chain, Skylar. Morrison’s all over the East Coast.”

  Skylar couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Storm are you serious? There is no way we can even think about working together,” Skylar said, smiling.

  “Why not? We could do it, sis!” Storm said, taking hold of both of her sister’s hands and jumping up and down like a child. Skylar was not quite sure what to make of Storm’s behavior. This was foreign to her. Dazed for a few seconds, she looked deeply into her sister’s eyes. Storm was serious.

  “But where, Storm? We don’t have a place. Legends was put up for sale, and as of yesterday they called to say there was a buyer,” Skylar said.

  “I knew the place was up for sale,” Storm said while pulling an envelope out of her purse. She handed it to Skylar.

  “What is that?” Skylar inquired, bewildered.

  Storm told her to open it. Skylar slowly opened the envelope and took out a letter. She read it carefully, periodically glancing up at her sister in wonderment.

  “You’re the buyer?” a wide-eyed Skylar asked.

  “Yeah, and I’d love it if you would add your name to that piece of paper, right there with mine,” Storm said softly as she took her sister’s hand.

  Looking up at her sister with her mouth open, Skylar was speechless.

  “All that is needed is for you to say yes, and we’re good to go.”

  Skylar asked again, “Are you sure, Storm?” Storm’s mind was made up. She knew coming in what her plan was. She just wasn’t sure Skylar would entertain the thought.

  “I must be a little crazy, but if you think it’ll work, I’m willing to give it a shot,” Skylar said as she sighed heavily.

  “That’s what I’m talking about!” a hyped-up Storm replied. Grabbing Skylar’s hands, she began twirling their bodies around and around in a circle.

  Skylar became dizzy and stopped Storm. “But with one caveat. As much as I appreciate your offer to be a co-owner, I want to wait a while before doing that. Let’s take it day by day, Storm. For now, I want you to enjoy being the sole owner of your own business. I’ll be there beside you and will help with any-and everything I can. It’s your time to shine, sis. You deserve this. I’m so proud of you.” She embraced Storm, who teared up and thanked her sister for believing in her.

  While she was very happy for Storm and truly sincere about her willingness to work beside her, Skylar’s reasons for not signing on as co-owner had less to do with courtesy and more to do with reputation. Storm might be turning over a new leaf, but Sky would just wait and see how everything played out before she got in too deep.

  Embracing her sister, Storm was happy she and Skylar would be working together as a team. But she wasn’t stupid. She knew the real reason Sky was holding off from signing on, but that was okay. All things in time, she thought to herself.

  “You know what I’m thinking about right now?” Storm said, giggling.

  “What?”

  “What Dutch would say if he saw us,” Storm said.

  “He’d probably just stand here, smiling, thinking to himself, ‘Lord, look at my girls.’ And Nettie, sweet Nettie, what do you think she would say about all of this?” Skylar and Storm looked over to where the bar used to be.

  “It’s about time you bitches got yo shit together! Now leave me alone and let my ass rest.”

  Hand in hand, Skylar and Storm emerged from the building just as they came into this world: together, as sisters.

  < EPILOGUE >

  While combing her hair in the bathroom, Skylar suddenly stopped, and for a moment stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror. A lot had happened in a year’s time. Her eyes welled up as she thought of Sidney. Somewhere along the way, their fairy tale romance had morphed into a movie-screen fantasy. She knew they were growing distant when she was no longer dazzled by that smile of his, and when she silently wished he would change his signature cologne. Hadn’t Sean John moved on to another fragrance anyway? Skylar thought to herself. But what had happened? She wasn’t sure, but she knew that neither one was at fault. It was just the way things were. She did wonder, however, if Sidney felt it all was a mistake. Had the t
wo of them really been in love or were they both caught up in the search for temporary companionship? Pulling her hair back into its signature loose ponytail, she made a mental note to ask Zenora to suggest a new style. Perhaps this form of exhaling would help her deal with her personal life. The breakup had been amicable. Both made a solid promise to remain friends, even though secretly they knew that they couldn’t. How could they replace the intense passion they had once shared with friendly pecks on the cheek? They knew each other too well.

  • • •

  Just as she was topping off her look with a hint of lip gloss, Skylar heard a recognizable voice coming from her answering machine. “When did my phone ring?” she said out loud. “Hey, Sky, it’s Storm. Can you stop by the bank on your way in today and pick up the cash-box change for the weekend? It’s ready. I thought I was going to have a chance to do it, but I’m running a little late. Shut up! I know what you’re saying, ‘Girl, you’re always late’ … Okay, sis, thanks, see you in a little bit. Love ya!”

  “That girl will never change,” Skylar blurted out with a wide grin on her face. Who would have thought these two would be this friendly toward each other? She and Storm still shared management duties, working side by side at Morrison’s. Surprisingly enough they got along quite well. Sure there were still differences—several—but they always managed to work things out. Skylar still had not signed on as an official partner in the business; she wanted to give their relationship a little more time to heal before committing to it. She had to admit that Storm’s dedication, hard work, and perseverance had not only surprised her but left her intrigued. Guilt from what she had done to Storm still poked its ugly head into her thoughts periodically, but for the most part, the inner pain that she’d endured over the years was subsiding. Thankfully, Storm never, ever once brought it up. She felt that her sister had indeed forgiven her and moved on. That was something she was attempting to do, too: forgive herself.

  • • •

  Although the economic climate was still just above Depression-mode in America, with most small businesses suffering to the point of going under, Morrison’s remained sovereign. Business couldn’t be better for the two-story, newly painted red brick building that sat on the corner, flanked by a gigantic neon signed that flashed MORRISON’S: A FAMILY TRADITION CONTINUES. The sisters had even been able to bring back Head as security and Ruta Lee as house manager.

  The friendly neighborhood seemed alive again. So much tragedy had plagued the community recently that the sight of this South Philadelphia landmark restaurant returning only brought joy and harmony. Many still found it hard to come to grips with Nettie’s slaying, especially Storm and Skylar. Treasure had been apprehended, charged, and convicted of first-degree murder and likely would spend the rest of her life in prison. On the day of sentencing, she showed no signs of remorse. The judge asked if she wished to address the court before her final sentencing. Free of her hair weave, fake nails, and makeup, she tilted her head back in full America’s Top Model affect, and softly replied, “Yes.” A hush immediately came over the packed courtroom, filled with Nettie’s friends and loved ones, as well as strangers. Each ear pricked up, and every breath was held. Skylar closed her eyes as she held on tightly to Storm’s hand. Storm fixed a deadly ice-cold glare at Treasure, expecting to hear some “I’m sorry, woe-is-me” sentiment, complete with crocodile tears and a plea to be forgiven in the name of Jesus. However, no one was prepared for Treasure’s statement. “I’m glad that bitch is dead! And the only thing I’m sorry for is that I didn’t do it sooner and not get caught.” Gasps and uncontrollable outbursts filled the courtroom as the judge banged down the gavel and ordered guards to have Treasure taken away. June bolted toward her as she passed by the family seating area, only to be restrained by several friends and another guard. June had moved on with her life, but she would always love Nettie. And she knew that Nettie had loved her, regardless of the problems they had. Secretly, she agonized over the fact that had she not left Nettie that night, she might still be alive. Skylar raised her hands to her face in prayer and sighed heavily. Tears rolled from her eyes. Storm quickly retrieved a tissue from her purse and dabbed her sister’s cheeks. Neither could say justice had been served, because their good friend was no longer here, but at least it was over.

  Assuring Storm that she would be okay, Skylar excused herself to the restroom and told her sister that she’d join her in the hallway outside the courtroom. As the spectators cleared out, Storm sat still. At that very moment she longed for her mother—no, not Nettie, whom she loved like a mother, but the birth mother she never knew. Her touch, her smell. She wished she could remember how it was to be cocooned in her mother’s womb, sucking on her thumb and her mother’s nourishment. Perhaps that was why she had worked so hard this past year on reconciling with her sister. It was the only connection to the beginning of her life. Loving her sister was a new feeling for Storm. But it was a feeling that she welcomed. Watching how Skylar conducted herself as a businesswoman day to day only encouraged her to learn and do better. Owning and operating a business was new to Storm; in fact, at times it downright scared her. But she knew she could count on Sky to help her through it all. Skylar was a totally different person ever since the two had gone into business together. She treated Storm as her equal, not just in their professional lives, but also in their personal lives. Storm had never revealed to Skylar that she knew her sister’s role in her incarceration, and frankly, at this point she didn’t feel it would do any good to let her know. Besides, Storm knew that the guilt her sister felt was far more painful than any tongue-lashing she could give her. This was about forgiveness, for both sisters. Hell, she had even forgiven DuBoy for all he had done. But forgiving did not mean she would forget. In fact, she had no desire to ever see him again. Strangely enough, even after all that went down, he attempted to reconcile with her on several occasions, leaving pitiful messages of desperation and stopping by the restaurant. But it fell on deaf ears. Storm was moving forward in her life and any association with DuBoy would deter that. He eventually got the message because she heard less and less from him. Then one day she received a collect call from Graterford prison for men. Curiosity caused her to accept the call. Seems after several complaints from his upstairs neighbors about a marijuana stench, police barged in and found not only several blocks of weed in plastic bags, but plants growing under special lights in a hydroponic system in his bathroom. He was given five years for possession and intent to distribute a controlled substance. He asked Storm to come and see him, or at least put a little something on his books ’cause he hadn’t “heard shit from that bitch Pia” since he was down. Storm wouldn’t go to see him, but she did put a hundred on his books. It was the least she could do; after all, he had held her down when she was in Muncy. She had to admit that hearing how Pia had given him her ass to kiss made her feel kind of good. “They deserved each other,” she thought out loud. And anyway, Storm was dating again. Matt Chin. A nice guy and the brother of Michael Chin, Sidney’s partner. If anyone had ever told her she would be dating an Asian guy, or any other race than black, she would have laughed it off. Wasn’t nothing like the brothas—still wasn’t, but Matt was different. He was self-assured and bright, and he accepted her for who she was.

  Torch was released from the hospital after about three months and was housed at Magee Rehabilitation Center, on his way to a slow, ever-painful recovery. Eventually, it all became too much. He took his own life with the gun he’d once showcased to DuBoy. The only person at his funeral was the undertaker. Gidget didn’t even make an appearance. She was now turning tricks on Thirteenth and Locust at night and strung out on crack.

  While waiting for Storm to join her in the courtroom lobby, Skylar turned on her cellphone and saw that she’d received a text from Princess. “Hey, how did everything turn out today?” Skylar planned to give her the update when she got home. She hadn’t heard much from Princess in the last few months. She had left Philadelphia and secured an
on-air job as a celebrity dance judge on MTV’s reality show Dance Like U Wanna. Princess was now a national star.

  She would also hit up Lovely and let her know how things had gone. Lovely had hung up her dancing shoes, returning to the hospital full-time as a nurse and dedicating all her free time to her son. The last they talked, she informed Sky that she was up for the head nurse’s position.

  Out of nowhere, Skylar longed to hear Flynn’s voice, if only to make her laugh again. My brotha, where are you? But she had not heard from him since the day he left Philly. Somehow, she knew this would be the case. Wherever he was, she hoped that he was laughing and enjoying life. Alexia was never caught; she was on the most-wanted list for Cleet’s murder and the attempted murder of Torch.

  As Skylar looked up, she saw a smiling Storm approaching her. She returned the gesture. It was the first time she’d witnessed her own image looking back into her soul. … Without uttering one word, the sisters wrapped their arms around each other in a tender embrace that would last forever.

  < ACKNOWLEDGMENTS >

  Let me begin by thanking God for continuing to grant me grace! I have no idea how anyone can go through this life and not acknowledge Your existence. To my family (and that includes all of you that I listed in the first book, so don’t call me up and ask me how come you didn’t see your name): You know I know y’all love and support me. To Melody Guy, my editor: Thank you for allowing me to be me, and for letting my wild imagination come to life on paper. I know sometimes you just shake your head…. LOL. To Porscha Burke: Thanks for always laughing at my jokes … all the time … and for being on top of things!

  To One World/Random House: Let’s climb to the top with this one! To Jonathan Welch: Hey, cuz, I didn’t forget you this time. Special thanks to Harry Smith, Alex Fisher, Alexander Hamilton, Danny Arroyo, Valeria Moore, Carol Roberts, Brandon Fobbs, Carla Stit, Jermaine Jacox, Christian Keyes, Sandra Hodge, Terryl Daluz (spelled it right this time), Jennifer White, Antina Campbell, Todd Thomas, The Living Waters Family, Keely Watson, Reggie White, Jr. To all the actors (too many to list) that have graced the stage in a Don B. Welch play, thank you for sharing your talents.