The Sisters

“I still can’t believe you chose to bring me,” Tabitha said, staring out the window at the pacific ocean. “I’m on the plane and I still don’t believe it.”

“We don’t see enough of each other anymore,” replied Megan as she fought to get comfortable. Airplane seats were not made for people as long as her. “You’re my baby sister, let me spoil you.”

“Oh, don’t think me ungrateful. I’m fucking stoked. But don’t you have a friend, or boyfriend, or something you’d rather spend your vacation with?”

The fact that Tabitha even asked that was a sign of how distant they’d become. Megan’s career didn’t leave a lot of time for socializing. She was a senior physician and lecturer at a teaching hospital and had worked her ass off to get there. Premature streaks of grey in her dark curly hair spoke of the tole that had taken on her. She had almost given away both tickets until her boss had threatened to fire her if she didn’t take the vacation. “Take some of your own damned advice and get some rest,” he’d said.

“I’m kind of surprised you agreed to come. I mean, you have to leave your apartment to do it. Some sun might even touch your skin.” Megan chided her younger sister. She was ghostly pale, due to a life spent basking in the glow of her computer monitor. Playing games all night, programming them all day. Her lack of stress and childish habits made the ten years which separated them seem more like twenty.

“Have you ever been outside?” Tabitha replied. “It’s terrible. But the arcade at this place looks fucking epic, and the booze is free.”

“Language, Tabitha. There are kids on this plane,” Megan scolded. “And I hope you’re not planning to spend the whole trip regurgitating tequila. You might consider stepping out during the day and getting some vitamin D which doesn’t come from a bottle. There is a lot of good evidence that moderate exposure to sunlight is important to good long-term health. Not too much, of course, due to the risk of skin cancer…”

Tabitha rolled her eyes and interrupted her sister. She knew if she didn’t the lecture would last the rest of the flight. “I’m so terribly sorry, Doctor mom.”

Megan fumed. She hated that nickname, and Tabitha knew it.

“See, that’s what I mean, I’m going to drive you bonkers.” Tabitha said. “I’m so me, and you are just so very you. How are you going to survive being trapped on an island with me for a whole month?”

It was true, the pair couldn’t be more different. Megan was tall and thin. High angular features made her look stern and serious, an impression exaggerated by a blouse and blazer. Even going on vacation, she dressed as if going on a business trip.

Tabitha was short and supple. A strict regimen of Doritos and Diablo had given her a youthfully round face, and curves that manga artists try and fail to reproduce. Her choice of travel wear was a Pikachu hoodie, sweatpants, and mismatched crocks.

Both claimed their outfits helped them get through security faster.

“I intend to manage my annoyance by having a massage at a different spa every single day,” said Megan.

“You think they can help you unclench your anus?” Tabitha joked, though a sudden sensation sent a shiver running down her spine. “Hey, did you just feel that?”

“Feel what?” said Megan.

“Nothing, I guess.”

Nothing indeed. As neither looked to the other passengers, neither saw each of them turn to an unseen camera and wink.