Rebecca took the longest.
She didn’t call for two months. When she finally did, it wasn’t an apology. It was an invitation to her daughter’s sixth birthday party.
My niece. Lily. I’d never met her. She was born while I was gone.
I went.
I stood in the doorway of Rebecca’s living room with a wrapped present under my arm, feeling more nervous than I’d ever felt walking into any briefing room.
Lily ran right up to me.
“Are you Aunt Claire?”
“I am.”
“Mommy says you’re a secret agent.”
Across the room, Rebecca turned bright red.
“I said no such thing,” Rebecca said.
“You did!” Lily said. “You said Aunt Claire did secret stuff for the country and that’s why she couldn’t come to my birthdays!”
Rebecca looked at me across that crowded living room.
And for the first time in five years, I saw my big sister. Not the angry woman under the umbrella. My sister. The one who used to braid my hair before school and let me sleep in her bed during thunderstorms.
Later, out on her back deck, away from the party, Rebecca finally said it.
“I’m sorry I called you a disgrace.”
“You didn’t know.”
“I didn’t want to know,” she said. “It was easier to be angry at you than to be scared for you. If I was angry, at least you were somewhere, doing something selfish. If I was scared, you could’ve been dead.”
She wiped her eyes.
“Grandpa used to tell me that. Before he got sick. He’d say, Becca, anger is just love that’s scared. I thought he was talking about me and Mark.”
“He wrote me the same thing,” I said. “In his letter.”
She laughed, wetly.
“Of course he did. He always had a saying for everything.”
“He also wrote that he touched his ear when he had a bad hand at cards.”
Rebecca stared at me.
Then she burst out laughing so hard she had to sit down.
“I knew it! I knew it! Thirty years he swore that wasn’t true!”
We sat out on that deck laughing until Lily came out to find us for cake.
Ethan Blake is a skilled Creative Content Specialist with a talent for crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives. With a strong background in storytelling and digital content creation, Ethan brings a unique perspective to his role at TheArchivists, where he curates and produces captivating content for a global audience.
Ethan holds a degree in Communications from Zurich University, where he developed his expertise in storytelling, media strategy, and audience engagement. Known for his ability to blend creativity with analytical precision, he excels at creating content that not only entertains but also connects deeply with readers.
At TheArchivists, Ethan specializes in uncovering compelling stories that reflect a wide range of human experiences. His work is celebrated for its authenticity, creativity, and ability to spark meaningful conversations, earning him recognition among peers and readers alike.
Passionate about the art of storytelling, Ethan enjoys exploring themes of culture, history, and personal growth, aiming to inspire and inform with every piece he creates. Dedicated to making a lasting impact, Ethan continues to push boundaries in the ever-evolving world of digital content.