«You’re in the way,» said the sister, and she stopped answering the phone.
«You’re in the way,» Olivia said through the receiver, and Nina felt a chill run down her spine. «We want to live our own lives, understand?»
«Liv, but I» Nina began, but her sister cut her off.
«Don’t ‘Liv’ me. I’m forty-five, I have my own family, my own life. And youyoure always on the phone, complaining, asking for this and that.»
«But we’re sisters!» Nina’s voice trembled. «Weve always been there for each other.»
«Been there?» Olivia scoffed. «Who was there for whom, I wonder? Where were you when James and I were falling apart? When Alex ended up in hospital, did you even visit once?»
Nina gripped the phone tighter. A lump formed in her throat.
«I was working, you know that. And besides, I had my own»
«You, you, you!» Olivia exploded. «It’s always about you. Your blood pressure, your nerves, your awful neighbours. But when other people have problems, youre suddenly busy.»
Nina sank onto the worn-out sofa and shut her eyes. Tears streaked down her cheeks.
«Liv, why are you doing this? Were family.»
«Family, yes. But that doesnt mean I have to listen to your misery every single day. Ive got enough on my plate.»
«Fine, I get itmaybe I can be… overwhelming. But right now, I really need you. After the divorce, I»
«Enough!» Olivia snapped. «You split up a year ago, and youre still moaning about it. Is that all you ever talk about? Your own suffering?»
Something inside Nina shattered. Forty-two years theyd been more than sisterstheyd been best friends. Olivia was three years younger but had always seemed stronger, more decisive. Nina had run to her with every problem since they were kids.
«Liv, please, dont be angry. Ill call less, justdont say these things.»
«Not less. Not at all,» Olivia said coldly. «I need space. We all do.»
«What do you mean, ‘we all’?»
«James is tired of your calls too. The kids complain that Aunt Ninas always crying down the phone.»
That hurt the most. Alex and Katiethe niece and nephew she adored, the ones she bought presents for every holiday, whose birthdays shed never missed, turning up with homemade cakes.
«The kids said that?»
«Yes. Alex asked me yesterday, ‘Mum, whys Aunt Nina always sad? Did something bad happen to her?'»
Nina bit her lip. She had cried during callsoften. But was that so wrong? Couldnt she be weak with the one person who truly knew her?
«I never meant to upset them.»
«But you did. And not just them. Were all exhausted, Nina. Exhausted by your depression, your endless problems, by the fact you refuse to pull yourself together.»
«Im trying! I got a new job, Im seeing a therapist»
«And you tell me about it every day. How hard work is, how expensive therapy is, how lonely you feel at night. Nina, Im sick of it!»
Silence hung between them. In the background, Nina heard music playing, laughter. Life went on. And here she was, alone in her one-bed flat, fighting back sobs.
«Alright,» she whispered. «I understand.»
«What do you understand?»
«That Im in your way. That Im a terrible sister. That youre tired of me.»
«Nina, dont turn this into a melodrama. We just need breathing room.»
«How much? A week? A month? A year?»
Olivia paused.
«I dont know. Until you learn to handle your own problems.»
«And if I never learn? If I always need my family?»
«Then find someone else. Friends, maybe.»
Friends. What a joke. After the divorce, her so-called friends had vanishedturns out they were more his friends than hers. And making new ones at forty-odd? Near impossible.
«I dont have friends, Liv. Just you.»
«Well, its time you made some. Or see your therapist more often. Youre paying for it, arent you?»
Rage twisted with the ache in Ninas chest. Did her sister really not understand?
«A therapist isnt family.»
«And family isnt your personal crying pillow.»
Nina hung up. Her hands shook, her heart pounded. Shed never ended a call with Olivia first.
The phone rang immediately. Olivias number flashed. Nina stared, unable to answer. The ringing stopped. Then a text: *Dont be upset. Im being honest. You need to stand on your own feet.*
She deleted it without replying.
The evening dragged. Normally, shed call Olivia, talk about her day. Theyd discuss telly, the news, weekend plans. Now, the flat was suffocatingly silent.
She tried reading, but the words blurred. Switched on the tellycouldnt focus. Went to bed early but lay awake, torn between anger and shame.
In the morning, she woke puffy-eyed and heavy-headed. Colleagues asked if she was alrightshe blamed bad sleep.
At lunch, she nearly dialled Olivias number. Wanted to vent about her bosss latest demand, a rude client. Then she remembered yesterday and put the phone away.
Work ended. On the bus home, she watched strangers rushing abouteach with their own lives, joys, troubles. And hers? An empty flat, the telly, and the crushing thought that no one needed her.
She cooked dinner, hoping itd distract her. But halfway through, she realisedshe was cooking for one. Eating alone. No one to say, *This tastes lovely.*
Tears threatened again.
The phone stayed silent. Olivia didnt call.
The next day, Nina tried calling her. Maybe shed cooled off. She hesitated, redialled, hung up. Finally, she pressed call.
Ringing. Endless ringing. Then voicemail.
*Hi, its Liv. Leave a message.*
She hung up. Tried again an hour latervoicemail. Two hours latersame.
By evening, it was clear: Olivia was ignoring her.
She texted: *Liv, lets talk. I dont want to fight.*
No reply.
The next day, she rang from workmaybe Olivia wouldnt recognise the number. But the moment Nina said, «Hello?» the line went dead. Olivia had hung up.
It hurt. Badly.
She tried James, Olivias husband. Maybe hed explain, help mend things. No answer.
A week passed. Then two. Every day, Nina checked her phone, hoping for a missed call or text. Nothing.
She threw herself into self-improvement. Joined a language course, hit the gym, bought new clothes. But none of it brought joy. She just wanted someone to share the small wins with.
Learned ten new wordsno one to tell. Lost five poundsno one to cheer. Got a bonus at workno one to celebrate with.
Nina realised Olivia hadnt just been her sistershed been the centre of her world. Every event, every emotion revolved around their bond. Now, without it, there was only emptiness.
Maybe Olivia was right. Maybe she had been too dependent. But was it so wrong to lean on family?
A month later, Nina bumped into Katie, her niece. The girl was fourteen now, nearly grown.
«Aunt Nina!» Katie beamed. «Hi!»
«Sweetheart!» Nina hugged her. «Hows school?»
«Fine. Why dont you visit anymore? Mum said you two fell out.»
Ninas chest tightened.
«What exactly did she say?»
Katie hesitated.
«Well… that you were really upset about Uncle Mark. That you needed time to… get better.»
So that was Olivias version. That Nina had chosen distance, not the other way around.
«Katie, do you miss me?»
«Course I do! Youre the best aunt. And I miss your pancakes.»
Tears pricked Ninas eyes again.
«I miss you too. And Alex.»
«Aunt Nina… should I tell Mum I saw you? Maybe shell call?»
«No, love. Shell call when shes ready.»
Katie nodded, though she clearly didnt get adult problems.
«Okay. But dont be sad, alright? And if you wantyou can call me. Ive got my own phone now.»
She recited her number. Nina saved itat least this thread to Olivias family remained.
After that, Nina made a decision. If Olivia thought she was too needy, shed prove her wrong. Shed show she could live without leaning on her.
She started chatting with Mrs. Wilkins next doora lonely widow, not the nosy gossip Nina had assumed. At work, she joined colleagues for drinks, made friends in other departments. Life inched forward.
But Olivias absence still ached.
Two months after the fight, Nina took the final step. She went to Olivias house. Stood outside, watching the lit windows. Her sisters familyOlivia, James, the kidswere in there. Eating dinner, watching telly, sharing their day.
And she was outside. A stranger.
She buzzed the intercom.
«Yeah?» Jamess voice.
«James, its Nina. Can I come up?»
A long pause.
«Nina, nows not»
«Please. I need to talk to Liv. Five minutes.»
«She doesnt want to.»
«James, please. Im not some enemy. Im her sister.»
More silence. Muffled voices debating.
«Fine. Come up. But make it quick.»
Nina climbed the familiar stairs, heart hammering. How many times had she run up these steps? With birthday cakes, Christmas presents, just to visit.
James opened the door. He looked uncomfortable, avoiding her eyes.
«Come in,» he mumbled.
Nina hung up her coat and walked into the lounge. Olivia sat on the sofa, arms folded. Her expression was stony.
«What do you want?» she said coldly.
«To talk. To make things right.»
«I thought we already had.»
Nina sat opposite her. James lingered near the door, shifting awkwardly.
«Liv, you were right. I was too dependent. I complained too much, asked too much.»
Olivias stance softened slightly, but suspicion remained.
«And now?»
«Now Ive changed. Made friends, found hobbies. Im handling things alone.»
«Good,» Olivia nodded. «Im glad.»
«But I still miss you. Not as a shoulder to cry onas my sister. As my best friend.»
Olivia looked down.
«Nina… I miss you too. But Im scared itll go back to how it was.»
«It wont. I promise. No daily calls, no misery-dumping. Lets just be us again. Sisters.»
Olivia was silent, weighing it.
«And if you start crying down the phone again?»
«Then you tell me. And Ill understand.»
Olivia sighed, putting the pillow aside.
«Alright. Well try.»
The weight on Ninas shoulders lifted.
«Thank you, Liv.»
«And none of that ‘Liv’ nonsense,» Olivia said sternlybut there was a flicker of a smile.
They hugged. Tight, real. And Nina understoodfamily wasnt just support in hard times. It was knowing when to step back, when to let each other grow.
Sometimes, you had to almost lose someone to learn how to love them right.
