Here's the thing. I love my big sister. She's a sweetheart. I'd cut somebody for messing with my sister. But right now, I feel like putting her in a headlock.
See, unlike me, my sister is very sensitive. She also holds a grudge until the death. Unfortunately after about 30 years of sisterhood bliss I have managed to, according to my mother, hurt my sister's feelings by being "harsh". Sigh.
Here's what happened. The day after I'd spent the entire day writing at work, my sister, who is in her last semester in college for Forensic Science (Yay!), called to ask me to help her with a college paper. She'd heard that I was driving to Detroit the next day (5 hours) to drop off my daughter, who was staying for Spring break with my folks. (I know it was rude of me to make my daughter spend Spring break in Detroit but stop judging!)
So,on the one day that I planned to squeeze in a quick visit with family before driving back home, my sister wanted me to spend several hours working on her paper. I laughed and politely said "Girl, I'm not coming to Detroit to do a paper." Sure, my overhead bubble was saying, "Are you freakin' kidding me?" but I was careful to keep that tone out of my voice. I must not have been as successful as I thought because, low and behold, her feelings got hurt.
Now, if she wasn't my sister I would say, "Get over it, you big baby" and be done with her. But she's my sister and again I love her. So, I tried calling her to clear the air. No answer. Five calls later, still no answer. So apparently, she's not speaking to me. Great!
I know my sister. She still be mad 20 years from now if I don't find a way to make up with her. The only problem is, now I'm mad. Because seriously, she can not be mad at me over how I choose to spend my time - not after I've helped her with papers for years. Even if my tone was a little...unfiltered. Seriously, a writer on vacation only wants to write for fun. That does not include writing a term paper in any way shape or form. Would she ask her gynecologist for a pap smear on the golf course? I hope not.
Fortunately for my sister, I don't hold grudges. I've tried. Can't do it. So, eventually I'll try to make up with her again. Maybe this time I'll try email.
