Just in time

The driver has already been waiting here for a bit. I don’t think he’s going to wait for much longer. But then I see Mia in the distance running towards us.

“There she is.” I say.

Emma comes over to the side of the wagon when she hears me. Once Mia is close enough, she leans against the wagon and takes deep breaths.

“Mia. Thank you so much for everything.” Emma tells Mia. “You are the best big sister ever.”

I then see Mia reach into her pocket and pull out a golden coin. Is that the same one she got from Mr. Enzo?

She holds it out to her twin sister and says, “I want you to have this, Emma.”

Emma looks at the coin with astonishment.

“Mia, that’s a …”

“You are starting a new life in Riledo.” Mia says. “You will have more need of this then me.”

She then reaches for one of Emma’s pockets and places the coin inside.

“I want you to use this. Give yourself a clean start. And if you feel like you are indebted to me, then first save up until you’ve got two of these. Then you can give it back.”

Emma starts crying and she leans over to give Mia one last hug.

“I love you so much, big sister. You’re the best.” Emma cries.

“I love you too, little sis.” Mia says back as she returns the hug. “Stay safe out there.”

After that the twins let go and the wagon leaves. So, there they go. Emma and Oliver are off to the big city. I knew they would leave before me. I thought I was prepared. But it still feels kinda weird.

I then look over at Mia and say, “You know, I thought you would have been a bit more emotional.”

“Is that because you are used to that with Amelia?” Mia asks.

“No.” I answer. “It is because you and Emma have always been so close. Now you’re going to be more separated than ever before.”

“I simply can’t afford to be emotional, Darx.” Mia says. “Emma has always been the most emotional of us two. If I cry …” Then Mia’s voice cracks. She composes herself and continues. “If I cry, she will cry. So, I have to keep it in.”

Is that why Mia always appears so strong and confident? Does she fake it for her sister?

“But you’re right. It was supposed to have gone different.” Mia continues. “We were supposed to have gone togeth …” Then her voice cracks again. This time worse than before. Tears are forming in her eyes and she starts shaking. You’re only human, Mia. You shouldn’t do this to yourself.

I hold Mia by the shoulders and say, “It’s alright, Mia. You and Emma are twins. You came into this world together, you’ve spent your whole lives together, now you’re going to be separated for the first time. It is normal if you need to cry. So, don’t worry. I won’t judge.”

That is when Mia finally lets it all go. She hugs me, holds on as tight as she can, and cries her heart out. It is odd to see a confident woman like Mia break down like this. But I know it’s only temporary. Nobody can be strong forever. And once she’s gone through this, she’ll be back to being her old self.

She doesn’t need to cry for long, fortunately. And when she is done, she kisses me. She even uses her tongue, so I reciprocate.

After the kiss, Mia and I head back to the festival. The night is still young. And we’ll do it while holding hands.