It was going to be the best week of our lives, or so Sara's sister had told her on the drive there. Of course, Sara hadn't seen her sister in months. Sara had been abroad studying Italian food. She wasn't there for her sister Nina’s big breakup with longtime boyfriend Jonah.
Sure, they'd texted each other. Sara let Nina do all the texting and lashing out about her future husband. Sara didn't get it, but then again, she hadn't fallen in love with the quarterback that everyone loved in her hometown, either. She did her best to be supportive, and of course, it was Nina's idea to go to their grandparents' beach house, who were now in assisted living.
But once they went down that old familiar dirt road to get there, it felt so different. It wasn't the happy place Sara remembered with flowers and plants to welcome them. It was Papa’s laugh she missed, and the smell of Gram’s chocolate chip cookies.
"I don't know about this," Sara hesitated while unpacking.
"It'll be fun!" Her sister was in her cutoffs and a bikini top with a white shirt barely covering her. She was ready for the beach.
"Sure!" Sara faked a smile as if she were here for her sister. Sara was in her jeans, her favorite THE SMITHS tee, and sneakers. Sara tried to unlock the door, but it was already unlocked. "Nina, did you know about this?"
"What?" Her sister was in her little world of belongings, but Sara felt cold as if trouble was behind that door. Suddenly, she felt a jolt of panic.
"It's unlocked. Should we call someone?" Sara glared at her sister.
"Who would we call?" Her sister squinted. "Stop being paranoid."
She marched up the steps to the door and pushed it open. It was bright and sunny outside, but dark inside the beachhouse.
Sara remained even-tempered. Nina switched on the light, but there was no power.
"Are you serious?" Sara sighed. She'd brought pasta and fresh tomatoes to show off some of her cooking skills. Now they would have to make do with sausage sticks, tomatoes, a loaf of French bread, and olive oil.
"Oh, we'll survive," she said, pulling the curtains open to let in the sun. Still, Sara thought this was going to be a very long night, but she did her part, bringing in the luggage and seeing what she could do in the kitchen. At least there was running water, but it was cold.
"We could just camp on the beach tonight," her sister said with enthusiasm.
"Can we make it any more of a disaster than it already is?" Sara felt her true colors flaring. How could her sister be so congenial? Sara thought they should go into town and get a room. At least find a place to eat. Sara’s stomach grumbled. Nina hadn’t stopped for anything but to get here, and now Sara wasn’t sure if she could use the toilet without it exploding.
The place needed a lot of love, but Sara hadn’t packed for that.
"You've had it too good! You know that!" Nina snapped.
"What are you talking about?" Sara's straight-lip soured. "Did you know this would happen?"
Her sister hugged herself. "What if I did?" She snarled back.
"Well-" Sara’s brow furrowed. Did her sister hate her that much?
Nina was in a huff. She raked her fingers through her silky hair. "I'm supposed to be married."
Sara gritted. “I know you’re hurt, but isn’t it a good thing it happened now instead of later?”
Nina swelled a frown.
“I know you love this place, you always have.”
Sara knew Nina always felt free here. There was the beach, the sea breeze, and the waves. But Sara was certain they needed to find some help. This was not the way she wanted to spend the week with her sister.
“We’ll go to town,” Sara looped her arm around Nina’s. “We need to get the lock fixed and find out about the power. What’s going on here?” Sara put on her best smile. She hated it here, but she couldn’t let on. “Let's get some wine.”
“Now you’re talking,” her sister laughed.
“And I’ll drive,” Sara knew it was best if her sister let her be the navigator for a while.
I love the concept of this one.
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