Only just

When I’m close enough, I can see there’s a wagon still there. It must be them. I keep on running even though I am starting to get out of breath. But I make it. I grab hold of the wagon and take a few deep breaths. Thank you for keeping them from leaving Darx.

“Mia. Thank you so much for everything.” Emma tells me while I am catching my breath. “You are the best big sister ever.”

I reach into my pocket and pull out the golden coin I got from Mr. Enzo a few days ago.

I hold it out to my twin sister and say, “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.” I say. “You will have more need of this then me.”

I reach for one of Emma’s pockets and place 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 me one last hug.

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

“I love you too, little sis.” I say back as I return the hug. “Stay safe out there.”

After that we let go and the wagon leaves. So, there she goes. Little sis is off to the big city before me. We had planned for it to be different. Damn you, Fabe.

Darx then looks over at me and says, “You know, I thought you would have been a bit more emotional.”

“Is that because you are used to that with Amelia?” I ask.

“No.” He answers. “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.” I say. “Emma has always been the most emotional of us two. If I cry …” But as I speak my voice cracks. I quickly compose myself and continue. “If I cry, she will cry. So, I have to keep it in.”

I also do it for you, Darx. I don’t want you to see me as a crybaby. I want you to see me as a rock. A strong woman whom you can rely on to always be there for you. Not someone who will melt away at the earliest emotional hardship.

“But you’re right. It was supposed to have gone different.” I continue. “We were supposed to have gone togeth …” Then my voice cracks again. This time worse than before. Tears are forming in my eyes and my body is shaking. I am not as strong as I thought I was. No, Darx. Don’t look at me.

But Darx holds me by the shoulders and says, “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.”

Hearing Darx say i have permission to cry is when I lose it. I grab Darx, hold on to him tight as I can, and cry my heart out. I am not a rock for you tonight. You need to be mine.

I don’t need to cry for long, fortunately. When I’m done crying, I actually feel quite a bit better. I am so lucky to have you to rely on, Darx. Knowing that Darx is there for me in my moment of weakness fills me with so much love for him that I simply place my lips on his. I don’t care that my face is still full of tears. I have to kiss him, now. I want you. I need you. I even use my tongue for you. Darx doesn’t only accept my kiss. He also returns it by using his tongue on me. Oh Darx. I love you.

After the kiss, Darx and I head back to the festival. The night is still young. And we’ll face it together.