July 17th, 2015

Kinsky, California, USA

The Other Half

“Appy?” Maria called out from the staircase. “Appy, you in the house?”

The sound of trotting footsteps could be heard only a few moments later, and at the foot of the stairs there appeared an old dog that looked up at Maria, its tail wagging.

“Ah, there you are,” the girl spoke, walking down to greet the dog. “Come on, it’s time to go on your walk.”

When Maria walked into the living room to grab the leash, she saw Anita sitting on the couch. Her legs were up, and she hugged her knees, looking at the black screen of the TV in front of her.

“Something wrong, Anita?” Maria asked.

“You lied.”

“…What do you mean?”

Anita turned her head towards her big sister, though most of her face was still obscured by her legs. 

“You told me that papa would come back. It’s been three weeks now today. You lied.”

Maria looked at her with sympathy. “Anita, we just… we don’t know, okay? He didn’t leave behind any way to contact him, or… any note on when he’d be back. But we just have to believe he’s still out there, and that he’s coming home.”

Anita lowered her legs, and slowly stood up. “It was because of me, wasn’t it?”

“No, of course not. It wasn’t because of any of us, it was just-”

“No, I know it was.” Anita hung her head down. “We had that big fight, and that was the night he left. I know he was tired of dealing with me. And I’m sorry… I want to say sorry to him.”

“Anita… you don’t have to say sorry to him.”

“Let me say sorry, okay?!” Anita raised her voice, tears beginning to flow from her eyes. “I know you and mama know where he is, you just won’t tell me!”

Maria’s expression changed, and she scoffed. “What, you think that’s what this is about? That mom and I are just hiding him? No, Anita. We don’t know where he is. No one knows where papa is!”

“Stop it! I don’t want to talk to you anymore!”

The little girl raced past Maria and up the stairs. As the big sister began to cool down, she noticed the dog next to her whimpering, looking up at the second floor.

“It’s alright, Apple,” Maria spoke softly, finishing her work in putting on the leash. “She’ll come around.”

…

Later that night, Maria walked into the little girl’s room. Anita was sitting on her bed, fiddling with a puzzle box she got for Christmas a few years before.

“Hey,” Maria called softly to her from the doorway. “Is it alright if I come in?”

Anita didn’t look up, nor did she speak. Maria took a few cautious steps forward, seeing if the girl would object — but she never did, and so Maria continued until she sat next to her on the bed.

“I’m sorry that I yelled at you earlier today,” Maria continued gently. “This whole thing has put a lot of stress on all of us. I just want you to know that it isn’t about you. Mama nor I would ever hide anything from you, okay?”

Anita did not respond, instead continuing to stare at the puzzle box. Maria reached into her pocket, pulling out a silver necklace lined with turquoise gems. 

“Papa gave this to me, when I was young. He said how it was passed down through our generations, dating all the way back to our great great granmama. He told me to give it to my kids, and so that they can keep passing it down too. But I’m no good at keeping things – I’m always losing stuff. So I want you to have it instead. Besides, I think you deserve it a lot more than me.”

Maria unfurled the necklace and placed it gently by Anita’s side. For the first time, the sister turned her head and looked at it – she looked at it for a while – but ultimately turned back towards the puzzle box without saying a word. 

Maria got up from the bed, and walked back over to the doorway. She stopped there, and turned her head back towards the girl.

“Buenas noches, chica.”

With that, she crossed the hallway into her own bedroom, closing the door behind her.