Smoothen the Waves

Chapter 24

You do not yet know how you will look back on this day later. Too much has happened, too much has changed. You can only hope now that it will be good. But when you watch Megan, you think you've done the right thing. Maureen accepted the apology with gritting her teeth and now Megan and her friends are having a glass of wine at the table in the depression at the end of the room and playing cards.

The girls' laughter drowns out the trampling of your other sister's circle of friends. Millie is celebrating her birthday tomorrow and her three followers are preparing everything for the celebration. It is planned to put tomorrow in her sign entirely. While Susan, Claire and Denise are baking a cake inside, it's your job to keep Millie away from the house and to prepare the campfire along the way.

Millie helps you by picking up smaller pieces of wood from the storage area next to the house and throwing them onto a pile. You are quite proud of the construction which, if everything works, will face its fiery end.

"Are you excited?" you ask while working on your project. Millie shakes her head.

"Not really. But I'm looking forward to the time."

"The evening will be great as long as I don't burn anything here." Millie has dressed up for the evening. An elegant white top with sleeves up to the middle of the upper arms, black tight-fitting jeans and her sneakers with the star. So she sits in the sand next to you.

"You haven't had a chance to go swimming yet?" she says, stroking her hair behind her ear.

"How is the water?"

"Wonderfully warm." You both look out onto the lake. It is quite large and it even has sailing boats and small motor yachts on it. It has access to the sea through a lock. You're a little worried about sharks, bull sharks to be precise. But the chance is far too small that you would scare the girls.

"Don't worry about me. I'm still getting my chance for a swim”, you smile and wipe the sweat off your forehead. Millie starts to fill the emergency buckets with water and place them next to the campfire.

"Do you think it's okay the way I wanted the party?" your little sister then asks you.

"It's your party Little One. You decide.” Millie alludes to her decision not to party into the morning. She is a late riser and a creature of habit. If it were up to her, you would simply play cards and celebrate her birthday as normal. Susan and Denise wouldn't like that at all. So you suggested a middle ground that you are trying to build with the firesite.

"Why don't you want to party in the morning?" you ask her.

"Well, you know me."

"The girls just mean it nicely."

"I know. But I think that's how it works best.” You nod and smile at her. She actually didn't say anything with her words. You suspect she wants to spend the evening with you again. And damn it, you want that too. But in retrospect, it may be better to tie Millie closer to her friends. But you also have to remember that you did the same thing with Megan today and you saw where it went. If you want to treat the girls the same, you should also respond to the wishes of your little sister.

It take some time, but then you are done with the fire. You proudly look at your work and then want to go inside to help the girls. But a tender hand holds you back.

"Can we have a seat?" Millie asks, pointing to the beach. Of course you follow the request and you both look at the lake side by side. Millie smiles nervously. "I'm not good at that. I prefer you to decide” she murmurs. You know what it is about so you can also do your part.

"You want to talk about last night," you determine and Millie agrees.

"I'm sorry," she says quietly. You've seen enough tears lately, so you take her hand and hold her tightly.

"You doesn't have to. I am responsible for what happened. I must have a guilty conscience. The only thing I want from you is that you are fine.” Millie nods, but doesn't seem convinced. She sure has the same thoughts as Megan and you. "And you know what?" Your sister looks at you. "I don't have a guilty conscience. I helped you and you enjoyed it. I'm responsible for everything that comes afterwards.” Millie is still silent and you can tell by the look in her eyes that she makes the same reproaches as Megan, just can't express herself properly. That surely will make it worse for her. Caught in a mindset that cannot handle the suffering. "Just answer one question please. Did you feel better or worse than before the evening after our… togetherness? ”

"Better," the answer comes immediately. "Much better."

"Then everything is okay for me." You hesitate for a moment, but with the thought that your fingers were in your other sister not quite three hours ago, you reckon: "I've been doing better since then too Little One. You helped me too.” Now Millie grabs your hand tighter and looks at you from the side.

"Yes?"

“It's always nice to be so close to a great person. And I would be lying if I said I didn't have liked your proximity.” Millie smiles broadly and seems overjoyed. "So," you continue. "We both know that you just don't party in tonight because you want to come to my bed. Remember that Megan will be there too.” Apparently Millie didn't think about that. "But it is your party and you can do what you like. Just tell me what to do to make you happy and I'll do it.” The same promise as last night. That seems to be enough for your little sister. You stay like this for a long time without saying a word and you can almost read her mind. Then Susan comes running from the house and throws Millie around her neck.

"Come on Millie. We set up the stereo and Denise put on a CD with such a strange Japanese band.” She pulls Millie away from you and you two take a quick look at each other.

"Oh heavens NO!" you shout at the thought of what is coming and both girls laugh.

"You come with us too. We need a waiter for the evening.” You salute playfully and surrender to your fate. Millie needs some time, but then comes up with the idea and when you all arrive at the entrance her mood is much better.

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