Sisters Will Be Sisters

Sisters Will Be Sisters

By Mina McCorry

On a sunny day, high in the clouds, sat Zeus and one of his wives, Themis. Sitting on their laps were two beautiful newborn babies. The two gods rocked back and forth on their rocking chairs. The babies’ cries echoed the room so Themis sang a soft lullaby to quiet them down. Her beautiful hair brushed one child’s delicate face. Zeus stared at the child, picturing their future. One child sitting on Zeus’s lap reached her tiny fingers toward the other child. Both children were reaching to one another with their eyes closed.

That is amazing. They will be perfect sisters and protect one another, thought Zeus. Themis was a happy mother, and Zeus was a proud father. The loving parents wanted the sisters to love each other and protect one another.

For fifteen full years, the girls were growing up together in beautiful Athens. Both children had beautiful, long brown hair, big blue eyes and free spirits. One was named Melitta, and the other was Doris. They were practically opposites born on the same day. While Doris was plucking flowers and gently placing them in her hair, Melitta was racing the men in the village. Doris had a gentle and sensitive soul, Melitta was still loving but bolder. She was the fastest of anyone who she had raced and no matter what, won.

Being very protective parents, Zeus was always watching over the two sisters with Themis.

“They are nothing alike. Will they love each other and keep one another safe?” questioned Zeus as he trotted in a circle.

“Oh dear, I do hope so. We shall do something, give them a task or test?” answered Themis as she stroked his arm.

“Wonderful, that’s exactly what I’ll do,” whispered Zeus. The next day Cupid was set off on a mission from Zeus. He stood on the highest mountain staring down at Melitta. A tall and handsome man, Zenos, was racing beside her. He had loved Melitta ever since he laid his eyes on her three years ago. Doris was sitting down about thirty meters away watching the race. She was picking flowers and singing.

Cupid pulled his arrow out, placed it in his bow, aimed and shot. It hit Melitta right in her heart. She stared over at Zenos with a wide grin from cheek to cheek.

I love him, I love him so much, Melitta thought. She watched him run to the finish line which she usually would never allow. Immediately she rushed over. Zenos saw her grinning face, dreamy eyes and jittery hands. Doris peaked over and followed the two love birds.

“You’re really fast, Melitta,” Zenos squeaked nervously.

“Thank you, but you’re faster. Let’s sit down,” replied Melitta as her cheeks grew bright red. They sat down on the hard rocks in the forest side by side. Doris eavesdropped from about a dozen trees away still watching.

What in the world is that Melitta doing this time? I’m not going to intervene with her relationship. Doris silently sat down and turned away.

“I shall marry you, on one circumstance,” grinned Zenos.

“Yes, anything you wish. I love you!” shouted Melitta cheezly.

“Your sister seems to be a problem. She’s always watching us and giving us weird stares. She must be jealous. I do not need any problems with her in our relationship,” mumbled Zenos.

“My sister will be alright, she will support any decision I make,” stopped Melitta.

“No! She must leave. Lock her in that tower on top of the highest hill,” pointed Zenos. She shall live the rest of her life without you and alone.”

“As you wish my love,” answered Melitta quietly. Melitta set off to fulfill her future husband’s will. She saw Doris sitting down peacefully, tip toed toward the tree and peered over at Doris. La la la laaa, sang Doris’s sweet voice. Doris was brushing her long hair with her fingers.

What am I suppose to do? Grab her, drag her, pull her? Oh! Hah, I will trick her, decided Melitta. Doris was clueless. She would listen to her sister as Doris trusted her.

“Hey Doris,” Melitta sang, “can I show you something?”

“I would love that, Melitta,” laughed Doris. They set off on a short walk up the hill toward the dark prison. Doris slowly skipped. No words were spoken, Doris was in such a jolly mood.

“Stand in there, I just need to do something” Melitta told her as they arrived at the prison.

“No problem,” winked Doris. She skipped inside the cage as happy as can be. This is a nice day, isn’t it? I wonder what Melitta wants… it’s kind of dark in here. I hope I won’t be here long, trailed Doris’ thoughts. Boom! Melitta slammed the door shut. She felt the dirty dust rub against her hands. Melitta held the key to the lock ready to permanently shut the door. Doris’ pale and confused face squished through the bars.

“Are you, wait… don’t be playing games with me, Melitta,” Doris stumbled.

“I love a man named Zenos, he’s too amazing for words to even describe,” Melitta gasped, “I can only marry him if you disappear out of our lives. So I have to say goodbye, Doris. I’m sorry.”

“But, Melitta. You want him over me. We grew up together. We have our differences, but similarities too. Don’t you remember how we laughed together, cried together, jumped together and loved each other? I still love you for who you are. Melitta, I love you,” cried Doris. Those words pressed into Melitta’s heart.

I love you. I love you. I love you, over and over again. I’ve never had anyone tell me, that they love me? Wait… she picked me up when I fell, she laughed when I made stupid jokes, she knows who I am. She’s not only my sister, but my best friend. I love her.

“Doris, you are the arrow to my bow. You are my sister, not only that… But, but, but,” said Melitta completely voiceless. Pain seemed to press into her, a sudden puff of magic opened her eyes, and her hands shook. It all clicked.

“What Melitta? Your enemy? Your competition? Am I an oaf for trusting you? Is this about jealousy? ” screamed Doris.

“No, my best friend,” whispered Melitta as she stared at Doris through the metal doors. All was quiet. Not a bird moved their wings. The smell of fresh green grass spread through the air. Melitta closed her eyes and opened the heavy metal door. Doris stepped one foot forward at a time. Not a word was spoken. The two sisters were staring at each other face to face. What just happened? I feel weird, I feel different. Why did I do that? Melitta questioned herself.

I think Melitta has gone crazy, but she seems to understand all of a sudden, thought Doris. Melitta silently hugged her sister with all her strength, Doris hugged her back. Together, they stomped down the hill the same way they came with no words spoken. It’s alright, Melitta was under some kind of… spell? I don’t know. She told me she never wants to marry. But, It doesn’t matter anymore, thought Doris. There stood Zenos with his hands to his hips, his face red as a tomato.

“Am I missing something? Why is ‘It’ here?” barked Zenos.

“‘It’ has a name and if you are going to tell me to lock my sister in a dungeon, you’re not good enough for me. I can not love someone like you,” scowled Melitta. The two sisters strutted off with large grins on their faces hand in hand not knowing where they were going, just away from him.

We are sisters, and nothing breaks us apart.